Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
P. Gurudevi, P. Venkateswari, T. Sivakumar, S. Vadivel
Summary: TiO2 nanoparticles functionalized with PEDOT:PSS composites films were developed for use in OSCs. The addition of PEDOT improved the morphology of the TiO2 films, leading to better performance in terms of current, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yuejia Dou, Ling Hong, Jianhua Jing, Tao Jia, Jiabin Zhang, Kai Zhang, Fei Huang
Summary: An effective approach to achieving ideal active layer morphology and favorable vertical component distribution in all-polymer solar cells is demonstrated. This is done through solvent engineering and independent casting of donor and acceptor films using different solvents. The layer-by-layer device with o-xylene and carbon disulfide (O-XY:CS2)-processed D18 donor layer achieves a higher power conversion efficiency (17.53%) compared to commonly used solvents (chloroform and chlorobenzene) processed donor layers (PCEs of 16.49% and 16.04% respectively). This work provides a simple and effective method for optimizing donor morphology and constructing a favorable pseudo p-i-n structure, leading to improved performance in all-polymer solar cells.
Article
Polymer Science
E. M. Mkawi, Y. Al-Hadeethi, R. S. Bazuhair, A. S. Yousef, E. Shalaan, B. Arkook, A. M. Abdeldaiem, Rahma Almalki, E. Bekyarova
Summary: In this study, polymer solar cells were synthesized by incorporating Sb2S3 nanocrystals in the active layer and the dependence of device performance on nanocrystal concentration was investigated. The results showed that introducing Sb2S3 nanocrystals improved light absorption, regulated energy levels, and enhanced electronic parameters by offering additional excited electron pathways through the nanocrystals. These findings demonstrate the potential of Sb2S3 nanocrystals for improving the efficiency of organic photovoltaic devices.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kamlesh Kumar Mamta, Kamlesh Kumar Maurya, Vidya Nand Singh
Summary: The study focused on the impact of using ZnS as a buffer layer instead of CdS in Sb2Se3-based solar cells, showing that changing buffer materials and thicknesses significantly affects cell performance.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
S. Yasin, Z. Abu Waar, T. Al Zoubi, M. Moustafa
Summary: This paper developed a C2N based solar cell and simulated it with various buffer layers, showing that careful optimization of C2N parameters results in good device performance, while high-doping concentration and defect density can deteriorate cell performance. Among the buffer layers, IGZO displayed the best efficiency record of 18.57%.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Hao Tong, Ziming Kou, Ming Zhao, Daming Zhuang, Chen Wang, Yuxian Li
Summary: ZMO thin films were fabricated using magnetron co-sputtering and annealing process was introduced to improve the photoelectric performances. The study investigated the effects of annealing temperature and atmosphere on the crystallization, defect density, and photoelectric performances, and discussed the variation mechanisms for intrinsic point defects. The results showed that annealing reduced defect-bound emission, improved crystallization, and promoted desorption and diffusion reactions.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Saumik Dey Shovan, Samia Akhter Ringky, Afia Mubassira Islam, Saiful Islam, Mohammad Junaebur Rashid
Summary: In this study, a hybrid buffer layer (CdS & ZnSe) is placed between the absorber and the window layer in a CIGS solar cell to enhance its performance. The physical parameters of both absorber and buffer layer are optimized, and the impact of working temperature is considered. A new structure with higher conversion efficiency is proposed and compared to the reference structure.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Binghao Wang, Zhiqiang Chen, Feng Zhao
Summary: In this study, semiconductor oxide cuprite (Cu2O) and indium tin oxide (ITO) heterojunction solar cells were fabricated and characterized. The introduction of a titanium (Ti) thin film buffer layer improved the surface morphology, resistivity, and contact potential of the Cu2O film. The Cu2O/Ti/ITO solar cell exhibited enhanced photovoltaic performance and increased power conversion efficiency compared to the Cu2O/ITO solar cell.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xin Cui, Kaiwen Sun, Jialiang Huang, Heng Sun, Ao Wang, Xiaojie Yuan, Martin Green, Bram Hoex, Xiaojing Hao
Summary: Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells are a promising photovoltaic technology due to their abundance, dry processability, and eco-friendliness. To enhance the efficiency of Cd-free CZTS devices, a ZnMgO window layer was deposited using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The deposited amorphous ZnMgO showed superior smoothness compared to high temperature ALD and comparable doping density to high-temperature thermal ALD, resulting in reduced charge carrier recombination and improved efficiency.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Daniel A. Fentahun, Alekha Tyagi, Kamal K. Kar
Summary: The study found that the power conversion efficiency of AZO/Cu2O-based heterojunction thin-film solar cells is enhanced by using a double buffer (ZnO/CdS) layer compared to a single buffer (CdS) layer. The optimized solar cell structure with double buffer layers showed better performance under illumination.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhong Zheng, Jianqiu Wang, Pengqing Bi, Junzhen Ren, Yafei Wang, Yi Yang, Xiaoyu Liu, Shaoqing Zhang, Jianhui Hou
Summary: A advanced interconnecting layer for tandem organic solar cell is developed in this study. By controlling the O-2 flux during evaporation, efficient electron extraction and low Schottky barrier are obtained, enabling effective charge recombination between two subcells. The tandem cell with the interconnecting layer shows a high efficiency of 20.27%.
Article
Optics
Manish Deo, R. K. Chauhan
Summary: In this paper, a high performing CIGS solar cell is designed using InP as a buffer layer instead of toxic CdS. The proposed device structure is optimized by varying thickness, defect density, and doping concentration. The behavior of the device is studied through various electrical parameters, and the performance is investigated by varying resistance, temperature, and work function. The proposed solar cell shows a maximum efficiency of 28.01% at room temperature (300 K) through simulation analysis.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Saikumar Nair, Jignasa V. Gohel
Summary: Perovskite solar cells have shown significant improvements in efficiency, but long term operational stability remains a challenge. Researchers have introduced a P3HT-based gradient heterojunction layer to passivate uncoordinated lead ions and improve stability, leading to higher efficiency and better resistance to aging factors.
Article
Energy & Fuels
M. Jamil, Mongi Amami, A. Ali, K. Mahmood, N. Amin
Summary: This paper discusses the use of AZTS as a buffer layer in CZTS solar cells and the addition of a BSF layer to enhance cell performance, resulting in an increase in efficiency and fill factor.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bhanu Prakash, Arti Meena, Yogesh Kumar Saini, Sanju Mahich, Amanpal Singh, Sarita Kumari, Chandra Shekhar Pati Tripathi, Banwari Lal Choudhary
Summary: Using ZnTe as the buffer layer in CZTS-based solar cells improves efficiency and offers a non-toxic alternative to conventional Cd-contained buffer layers. CZTS thin films prepared by sol-gel spin coating exhibit good crystallinity. The efficiency of the solar cells is highly influenced by the thickness of the CZTS and ZnTe layers.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shahriyar Safat Dipta, Md Habibur Rahaman, Walia Binte Tarique, Ashraful Hossain Howlader, Ayush Pratik, John A. Stride, Ashraf Uddin
Summary: Implementing a double-sided passivation approach can enhance the performance of n-i-p structured PSCs and improve the stability and photovoltaic properties of the cells.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Daniel Ourinson, Andreas Brand, Andreas Lorenz, Marwan Dhamrin, Sebastian Tepner, Michael Linse, Nathalie Goettlicher, Kosuke Tsuji, Jonas D. Huyeng, Florian Clement
Summary: This work presents two approaches to reduce the amount of silver on the rear side of M2-sized industrial iTOPCon solar cells. The Cu-based approach shows promise with similar power conversion efficiency compared to the conventional approach, while the Al-based approach exhibits some limitations but demonstrates the potential of such type of contact for iTOPCon solar cells.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Abasifreke Ebong, Donald Intal, Sandra Huneycutt, Thad Druffel, Ruvini Dharmadasa, Kevin Elmer, Apolo Nambo
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful metallization of a PERC silicon solar cell using screen-printable copper (Cu) paste. The Cu paste contains antioxidant additives and diffusion inhibitors to prevent oxidation and diffusion of Cu. The Cu-printed cells achieved an efficiency of 19% and showed no Cu diffusion after characterization tests. The long-term stability and effectiveness of the Cu diffusion barrier were also confirmed.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Senami Zogbo, Wilfried Favre, Olivier Bonino, Marie-Estelle Gueunier-Farret
Summary: Measuring specific contact resistivity (pc) is crucial for interface engineering in high efficiency solar cells. The Transfer Length Method (TLM) is commonly used for evaluating layer sheet resistance (Rsheet) and pc, but it is not suitable for metal/Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) interface evaluation in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) cells. This study investigates the parameters that restrict current confinement within the TCO, including mid-gap trap density (Dit) at the a-Si:H/c-Si interface and the activation energy (Ea = Ec - EF) variation of a-Si:H contact layers.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jean-Baptiste Charpentier, Philippe Voarino, Julien Gaume
Summary: The phenomenon of ribbon lengthening in PV modules exposed to thermal cycling is not well explained in the literature. In this study, a three layers model is proposed to explain this effect, and the predictions of the model are validated through finite element method simulations and experiments. The results show that the model predictions are consistent with the indirect measurements, but not with the direct measurements. Additionally, it is inferred that the encapsulant plays a role after the solder failure.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jean-Baptiste Charpentier, Philippe Voarino, Julien Gaume
Summary: This study investigates the problematic ribbon lengthening observed in PV modules exposed to high amplitude thermal cycling. A simplified system model is proposed and accurate predictions are obtained using the Finite Element Method. The results show that the thickness of the encapsulant has a substantial impact on the lengthening of the ribbons.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
S. Catalan-Gomez, E. Martinez Castellano, M. Schwarz, M. Montes Bajo, L. Dorado Vargas, A. Gonzalo, A. Redondo-Cubero, A. Gallego Carro, A. Hierro, J. M. Ulloa
Summary: This study investigates the use of core-shell gallium nanoparticles as functional light scatterers on solar cells. By optimizing the nanoparticle size, the short-circuit current of the solar cells is significantly improved. The underlying physical mechanism is studied through optical measurements and simulations, and a method to reduce the plasmonic effect of the nanoparticles is demonstrated.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
M. Gamel, G. Lopez, A. M. Medrano, A. Jimenez, A. Datas, M. Garin, I. Martin
Summary: In this study, a highly reflective ohmic contact to p-type c-Ge material is demonstrated, which can improve the efficiency of thermophotovoltaic devices. The experimental results show that this contact can simultaneously meet the requirements of good back surface passivation, low electrical resistivity, and high reflectivity. Moreover, simulations suggest that implementing these back contacts has the potential to achieve conversion efficiencies comparable to high-efficiency c-Ge TPV cells.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hongyang Wei, Qing Xu, Dongchu Chen, Min Chen, Menglei Chang, Xiufang Ye
Summary: This study prepared solar selective absorption films based on anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) photonic crystals using a unique electrodeposition method. The Co-Ag electrodeposited film exhibited superior solar selective absorption properties and thermal stability.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ankit Kumar, Ankit Chauhan, Jordi Llobet, Helder Fonseca, Patricia C. Sousa, Carlos Calaza, Gil Shalev
Summary: This study found that decorating subwavelength arrays with SiO2 quasi-nanolenses (qNL arrays) can enhance the absorption of the solar spectrum. Optical absorption mechanisms in qNL arrays were investigated using near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), revealing that the enhancement is a result of the combination of effective antireflection coating, increased optical interactions between adjacent dielectrics for elevated light trapping, and strong light concentration due to the presence of qNLs.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
S. Pingel, T. Wenzel, N. Goettlicher, M. Linse, L. Folcarelli, J. Schube, S. Hoffmann, S. Tepner, Y. C. Lau, J. Huyeng, A. Lorenz, F. Clement
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential to reduce silver consumption in highly efficient SHJ cells through fine-line screen printing using low temperature paste with various screens. The results show that using finer mesh allows for narrower grid fingers and lower resistance, leading to improved cell efficiency. Simulation results indicate that module wire configuration is crucial for reducing silver consumption.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xibo He, Jun Qiu, Wei Wang, Yicheng Hou, Yong Shuai
Summary: This paper proposes a novel phase change material with high thermal conductivity and stability for fast photo-thermal conversion and storage. The experimental results demonstrate excellent durability and stability of the phase change material, with good performance in thermal conductivity and thermal storage efficiency.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qingyuan Liu, Lin Wang, Zheng Liu, Guohua Liu
Summary: A new evaporating structure consisting of liquid marble with tunable nanowire array is proposed to enhance solar evaporation. The experiments show that the liquid marble with nanowire array exhibits outstanding evaporation performance, which has significant implications for seawater desalination or wastewater treatment.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hao Liu, Qiming Liu, Jinpei Liu, Yonggang Zhao, Yingjie Yu, Yue An, Ganghui Wei, Yanzheng Li, Yujun Fu, Junshuai Li, Deyan He
Summary: Moisture in the air is identified as the main cause of performance degradation in organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells. Exposure to air leads to the growth of thin oxide layer on the interface and the formation of silver sulfide, increasing the series resistance and decreasing the fill factor, thus degrading the cell performance.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
E. Blanco, P. Martin, M. Dominguez, P. Fernandez-Palacios, I. Lombardero, C. Sanchez-Perez, I. Garcia, C. Algora, M. Gabas
Summary: This study addresses the lack of optical parameters for p-type Ge wafers by determining the complex refractive indices of commercial Ge wafers with varying doping levels. The obtained data successfully reproduces the critical points associated with interband transitions and absorption features below the bandgap. The refractive indices were validated through experimental measurements and solar cell simulations.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)