Utilisation of Response Surface Methodology to Optimise Bandgap and Resistance of Nickel Oxide using The Sol-gel Method

Main Article Content

Nurbahirah Norddin
Suhaidi Shafie
Muhammad Idzdihar Idris
Xinzhi Liu
Ismail Lawal
Mohd Nizar Hamidon

Abstract

Nickel oxide (NiO) is a promising hole transport layer for inverted perovskite solar cells, but its bandgap and resistance are highly sensitive to synthesis conditions. This study applies Response Surface Methodology to optimize precursor molarity, solution pH, and annealing temperature for NiO thin films prepared via the sol–gel method. The optimal condition 0.125 M, pH 10, and 450 oC yielded a bandgap of 3.6 eV and low electrical resistance, suitable for efficient hole transport. These results demonstrate that annealing temperature and pH significantly influence NiO properties, enabling reproducible fabrication of high-performance films.

Article Details

How to Cite
[1]
Nurbahirah Norddin, Suhaidi Shafie, Muhammad Idzdihar Idris, Xinzhi Liu, Ismail Lawal, and Mohd Nizar Hamidon, “Utilisation of Response Surface Methodology to Optimise Bandgap and Resistance of Nickel Oxide using The Sol-gel Method”, Journal of Engineering Technology and Applied Physics, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 32–40, Sep. 2026.
Section
Regular Paper for Journal of Engineering Technology and Applied Physics

References

[1] A. C. Nkele et al., “The Use of Nickel Oxide As A Hole Transport Material in Perovskite Solar Cell Configuration: Achieving A High Performance and Stable Device,” Int. J. Ener. Res., vol. 44, no. 13, pp. 9839–9863, 2020.

[2] S. Sajid, S. Alzahmi, I. B. Salem and I. M. Obaidat, “Guidelines for Fabricating Highly Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells with Cu2O As the Hole Transport Material,” Nanomater., vol. 12, no. 19, pp. 3315, 2022.

[3] A. Hassan et al., “Recent Defect Passivation Drifts and Role of Additive Engineering in Perovskite Photovoltaics,” Nano Ener., vol. 101, pp. 107579, 2022.

[4] K. M. Reza et al., “Tailored PEDOT:PSS Hole Transport Layer for Higher Performance in Perovskite Solar Cells: Enhancement of Electrical and Optical Properties with Improved Morphology,” J. Ener. Chem., vol. 44, pp. 41–50, 2020.

[5] S. D. Dhas, P. S. Maldar, M. D. Patil, M. R. Waikar, R. G. Sonkawade and A. V. Moholkar.,“Sol-gel Synthesized Nickel Oxide Nanostructures on Nickel Foam and Nickel Mesh for A Targeted Energy Storage Application,” J. Ener. Stor., vol. 47, pp. 103658, 2022.

[6] J. Sun et al., “NiOx-Seeded Self-Assembled Monolayers As Highly Hole-Selective Passivating Contacts for Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells,” Solar RRL, vol. 5, no. 11, pp. 2100663, 2021.

[7] Z. Jin et al., “Modification of NiO(x) Hole Transport Layer for Acceleration of Charge Extraction in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells,” RSC Adv., vol. 10, no. 21, pp. 12289–12296, 2020.

[8] S. I. S. Shaharuddin et al., “Effect of Spinning Parameters on PLA/PPC/curcumin Microfiber Diameter: An Investigation via Response Surface Methodology,” IIUM Eng. J., vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 197–211, 2020.

[9] N. Kumari, S. R. Patel and J. V. Gohel, “Superior Efficiency Achievement for Fapbi3-Perovskite Thin Film Solar Cell by Optimization with Response Surface Methodology Technique and Partial Replacement of Pb by Sn,” Optik, vol. 176, pp. 262–277, 2019.

[10] K. Ghorui, R. Sarkarand and B. Tudu., “Effect of Precursor Concentration on Structural and Optical Properties of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Facile Sol-gel Method,” Mater. Today: Proc., vol. 103, pp. 210-214, 2024.

[11] R. G. Larson, and T. J. Rehg., “Spin Coating BT - Liquid Film Coating: Scientific Principles and Their Technological Implications,” Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, pp. 709–734, 1997.

[12] S. T. Akinkuade, W. E. Meyer and J. M. Nel, “Effects of Thermal Treatment on Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of NiO Thin Films,” Phys. B: Cond. Mat., vol. 575, pp. 411694, 2019.

[13] H. Bao et al., “Samarium-Doped Nickel Oxide for Superior Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells: Insight into Doping Effect for Electronic Applications,” Adv. Funct. Mater., vol. 31, no. 34, pp. 2102452, 2021

[14] J. Zhou et al., “Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells via A Multifunctional Hole Transporting Material,” Joule, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 1691–1706, 2024.

[15] M. Vidhya, et al, “Effect of Molar Concentration on Optoelectronic Properties of NiO Nanoparticles for P-N Junction Diode Application,” Sens. and Act. A: Phys., vol. 366, pp. 114995, 2024.

[16] X. Cai et al., “A Review for Nickel Oxide Hole Transport Layer and Its Application in Halide Perovskite Solar Cells, Mater. Today Sustain., vol. 23, pp. 100438, 2023.

[17] M. Ba-Abbad, P. V. Chai, M.S . Takriff, A. Benamor and A. W. Mohammad, “Optimization of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesis Through The Sol–gel Method using Box–Behnken Design,” Mater. & Desig., vol. 86, pp. 948–956, 2015.

[18] S. Muniandy, M. I. Idris, Z. A. F. Napiah, N. S. T. Kie, Z. Baharudin and M. Rashid., “Influence of pH-Driven Synthesis on The Performance of NiO As A Hole Transport Layer in Perovskite Solar Cells, Eng. J., vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 23–37, 2025.

[19] M. Shi, et al., “Temperature-Controlled Crystal Size of Wide Band Gap Nickel Oxide and Its Application in Electrochromism,” Micromachin., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 80, 2021.