Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicolas Forrer, Arianna Nigro, Gerard Gadea, Ilaria Zardo
Summary: Nanowires have attracted significant attention as building blocks for functional devices at the nanoscale. In this study, the growth kinetics of silicon and germanium nanowires synthesized by chemical vapor deposition using a vapour-liquid-solid growth method catalyzed by gold were examined. The effects of temperature, partial pressure of the precursor gas, and different carrier gases on the growth rate were analyzed. Optimal conditions for nucleation in the nanowire growth process were identified.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luis Fonseca, Inci Donmez-Noyan, Marc Dolcet, Denise Estrada-Wiese, Joaquin Santander, Marc Salleras, Gerard Gadea, Merce Pacios, Jose-Manuel Sojo, Alex Morata, Albert Tarancon
Summary: The thermoelectric performance of nanostructured low dimensional silicon and silicon-germanium has been compared device-wise, revealing that despite lower Seebeck coefficient and higher electrical resistance in SiGe nanowires devices, they exhibit better performance leading to larger open circuit voltages and overall power supply.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Debanjan Maity, Ankita Kolay, Melepurath Deepa
Summary: By tethering N-GQDs and PCDTBT to SiNWs, the light absorption performance can be enhanced, leading to higher conversion efficiency in liquid junction solar cells.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Steaphan M. Wallace, Wipakorn Jevasuwan, Naoki Fukata
Summary: Schottky junction photovoltaic devices were successfully assembled using nanowire shaped graphene sheets grown on-site onto nano-imprint lithography silicon nanowires, simplifying the fabrication process and improving power conversion efficiency. However, high recombination losses likely limited device performance in this simple system.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Divya Rani, Anil Kumar, Anjali Saini, Deepika Singh, Neeraj Joshi, Ravi Kumar Verma, Mrinal Dutta, Arup Samanta
Summary: In this study, vertically aligned and periodic SiMW/SiNW arrays of different diameters were synthesized using lithography-free methods. The fabricated samples showed a reduction in reflectance and additional absorption, leading to increased short circuit current density and theoretical efficiency of solar cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shaobo Zhang, Ting Zhang, Zongguang Liu, Junzhuan Wang, Jun Xu, Kunji Chen, Linwei Yu
Summary: In this research, flexible near-infrared photodetectors were developed for accurate heart rate monitoring based on detecting arterial blood volume changes. The devices demonstrated excellent flexibility and mechanical stability, with high responsivity and fast response times. Successful detection of arterial blood volume changes via photoplethysmography was achieved, showing promising potential for reliable and convenient PPG technology in real-time health monitoring.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Francisco J. Cabrera-Espana, B. M. Azizur Rahman
Summary: This study explores the effects of short index-matched nanowires (NWs) on solar cells and how they are influenced by surface recombination. It further optimizes power conversion efficiency by stacking NWs of different heights and diameters, achieving PCEs of 16.8% and 17.55%. These findings contribute to the development of high-efficiency thin silicon solar cells.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Debanjan Maity, Saurabh Kumar Pathak, Melepurath Deepa
Summary: Liquid junction solar cell (LJSC) with vertically silicon nanowires (SiNWs) as the primary photosensitizer and co-sensitized with luminescent and narrow gap CdTe nanoparticles, along with cuboidal microstructures of zinc tetraphenyl porphyrin (ZnTPP) dye, demonstrated a maximum power conversion efficiency of 9.09%. The cosensitization approach significantly improved the overall performance of the solar cell by suppressing back electron transfer and enhancing electrical conduction. Optimization of the counter electrode (CE) components revealed that the choice of dopant anion affects the polymer surface properties and overall PCE.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Namwoo Kim, Deokjae Choi, Hyungwoo Kim, Han-Don Um, Kwanyong Seo
Summary: The study focused on the optimization of tapered microwire arrays to improve light absorption and reduce surface recombination for enhanced performance of c-Si solar cells. Experimental results demonstrated significant improvements in photogenerated current and efficiency with this optimized design.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Gemma Giliberti, Francesco Di Giacomo, Federica Cappelluti
Summary: Solar photovoltaic energy is a prominent candidate for accelerating the transition to a more efficient and environmentally friendly energy system. Thin-film perovskite technology shows great potential for developing silicon-based tandems. Three-terminal solutions have recently gained attention for their potential higher energy yield. This study presents the theoretical investigation of three-terminal perovskite/silicon solar cells employing a hetero-junction bipolar transistor structure for the first time.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Masahiro Teraoka, Yuzuki Ono, Hojun Im
Summary: This study presents a simple and accurate method for characterizing the capacitance of Graphene/n-Si Schottky junction solar cells (GSSCs) and determines the built-in potentials of the Schottky junction. The presence of polymethyl methacrylate residues in one type of GSSC is discovered, affecting its phase versus forward bias voltage relationship.
MATERIALS RESEARCH EXPRESS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Habib Hamidinezhad, Amir Hayati
Summary: In this study, high-yield silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were produced using chemical vapor deposition and vapor-liquid-solid techniques. The as-synthesized nanowires were characterized and compared in terms of their optical and electrical properties. The results showed that the SiNWs had a crystalline structure with uniform growth in both diameter and length directions. Increasing the temperature led to compacted nanowire growth. Additionally, the SiNWs arrays exhibited low reflectivity across the entire spectral range of 400-1100 nm, making them suitable for photovoltaic devices.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Shaobo Zhang, Huiting Huang, Zhijie Zhang, Jianyong Feng, Zongguang Liu, Junzhuan Wang, Jun Xu, Zhaosheng Li, Linwei Yu, Kunji Chen, Zhigang Zou
Summary: By combining a progressive tandem junction design with a unique Si nanowire framework, the researchers have successfully developed high-onset-potential photocathodes and enhanced solar hydrogen production. They demonstrated a radial tandem junction thin film water-splitting photocathode for the first time, which utilizes Si nanowires to enable efficient light-trapping and absorption of different wavelengths. The experimental results highlight the potential of this photocathode in large-scale applications, with high photocurrent onset and overall applied-bias photon-to-current efficiency.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Suneet Kumar Agnihotri, D. P. Samajdar, D. Prashant, Zahra Arefinia
Summary: In this study, a high performance radial junction NWSC consisting of p-InP NW coated by Ta2O5 and ITO was proposed, which enhances light absorption and reduces manufacturing costs. Photovoltaic parameters of circular and rectangular cross-section structures were compared, showing similar efficiency under certain conditions of minority carrier life time and surface recombination velocity.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Huimin Liu, Kezhi Li, Xin Zhang, Bing Liu, Lehua Qi, Xuemin Yin
Summary: Tapered nitrogen-doped SiC nanowires were grown vertically on carbon cloth using Si, SiO2, C, and dicyandiamide powders as raw materials via Fe-assisted chemical vapor deposition. The nanowires exhibited a high-density tapered morphology with increasing diameter from 120 nm to 1.30 μm and lengths of up to tens of micrometers. They were identified as 2H/3C-SiC mixed crystals and the tapered shape was influenced by the catalyst droplet, suggesting a Fe-assisted VLS mechanism. The PL spectrum showed a blue shift at 474 nm due to the special shape, defects, heterostructure, and quantum confinement effect of the nanowires.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zeyu Li, E. Rusli, Martin Foldyna, Junkang Wang, Wanghua Chen, Ari Bimo Prakoso, Chenjin Lu, Pere Roca i Cabarrocas
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mutaz Al-Ghzaiwat, Antonino Foti, Andre Nuesslein, Lukas Halagacka, Jacques Meot, Anne Labouret, Razvigor Ossikovski, Pere Roca i Cabarrocas, Martin Foldyna
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI-RAPID RESEARCH LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tran Ngoc Huan, Daniel Alves Dalla Corte, Sarah Lamaison, Dilan Karapinar, Lukas Lutz, Nicolas Menguy, Martin Foldyna, Silver-Hamill Turren-Cruz, Anders Hagfeldt, Federico Bella, Marc Fontecave, Victor Mougel
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2019)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Damien Coutancier, Shan-Ting Zhang, Simone Bernardini, Olivier Fournier, Tiphaine Mathieu-Pennober, Frederique Donsanti, Maria Tchernycheva, Martin Foldyna, Nathanaelle Schneider
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2020)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tiphaine Mathieu-Pennober, Martin Foldyna, Shan-Ting Zhang, Francois H. Julien, Nathanaelle Schneider, Maria Tchernycheva
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Eric Ngo, Weixi Wang, Pavel Bulkin, Ileana Florea, Martin Foldyna, Pere Roca i Cabarrocas, Jean-Luc Maurice
Summary: This study introduces a silicon nanowire growth method using a dual-phase catalyst of liquid Sn and solid Cu3Si, resulting in a liquid-assisted VSS mechanism. The growth process is observed in situ at atomic resolution. The structural properties of the Si nanowires, such as growth direction and twin density, can be controlled by adjusting the Sn/Cu ratio.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Optics
Halagacka Lukas, Gelnarova Zuzana, Al-Ghzaiwat Mutaz, Florea Ileana, Hornicek Jiri, Postava Kamil, Foldyna Martin
Summary: Hydrogen plasma reduction of fluorine doped tin oxide is a beneficial method to form tin nanodroplets directly on the surface, crucial for growth of silicon nanowires for solar cell technology. An original optical model accurately traces the formation process and barrier properties, allowing for real-time monitoring of tin reduction and nanowire growth. The approach is important for in situ monitoring of fabrication processes for radial junction devices.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Weixi Wang, Eric Ngo, Ileana Florea, Martin Foldyna, Pere Roca Cabarrocas, Jean-Luc Maurice
Summary: Si nanowires (NWs) are grown using Cu-Sn bimetallic catalysts in a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) reactor, resulting in the formation of an amorphous SiO2 region on top of each crystalline SiNW. A new silica NW structure is observed in SiNWs with a diameter below 10 nm. The microstructure appears to be the result of a Si oxidation mechanism catalyzed by Cu3Si, which can be completely suppressed by depositing a protecting 2 nm thick layer of hydrogenated amorphous Si after SiNW growth. This study provides a reference for future applications based on Cu-Sn-catalyzed quantum-sized SiNWs.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI A-APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Letian Dai, Martin Foldyna, Alvarez Jose, Isabelle Maurin, Jean-Paul Kleider, Thierry Gacoin, Pere Roca Cabarrocas
Summary: The researchers successfully developed silicon nanowire radial junction solar cells with higher fill factor and open-circuit voltage by using n-type hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon oxide as a bottom doped layer.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI A-APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Jean-Luc Maurice, Pavel Bulkin, Eric Ngo, Weixi Wang, Martin Foldyna, Ileana Florea, Pere Roca Cabarrocas, Romuald Bejaud, Olivier Hardouin Duparc
Summary: Plasma-generated radicals and atoms can change the surface energies of materials, allowing the preparation of nano-objects that may not stabilize under other conditions, such as Sn-catalyzed silicon nanowires. The presence of plasma can alter the balance of surface energies, stabilizing Sn droplets and enabling efficient growth through the VLS mechanism.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weixi Wang, Eric Ngo, Ileana Florea, Martin Foldyna, Pere Roca i Cabarrocas, Jean-Luc Maurice
Summary: A novel variant of the vapor-liquid-solid process using bimetallic Cu-Sn catalyst has been developed to grow high-density nanowires with narrow diameter distribution and stable diameter. By controlling the deposited thickness of the catalyst materials, nanowire arrays with an average diameter of 6 nm were achieved, with different polytypes identified through transmission electron microscopy analysis.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jian Tang, Jun Wang, Jean-Luc Maurice, Wanghua Chen, Martin Foldyna, Linwei Yu, Egor D. Leshchenko, Vladimir G. Dubrovskii, Pere Roca Cabarrocas
Summary: This study demonstrates that plasma-assisted vapor-liquid-solid (PA-VLS) method can be used to synthesize monocrystalline Ge nanowires with In and Sn catalysts, avoiding sidewall deposition issues.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chaoqi Wang, Martin Foldyna, Erik Johnson, Pere Roca i Cabarrocas
Summary: The study demonstrates the potential of triple radial junction silicon nanowire solar cells, fabricated using hydrogenated amorphous silicon, for applications requiring high voltages and large surface areas, such as water splitting. High open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current density were achieved by optimizing the SiNW density on substrates, showcasing the efficiency of these solar cells.
Proceedings Paper
Construction & Building Technology
Mutaz Al-Ghzaiwat, Martin Foldyna
Summary: A study was conducted on radial junction silicon nanowire solar mini-modules on 5x5 cm FTO/SLG substrates, using plasma-assisted VLS technique. By addressing challenges like high resistive losses, the solar mini-modules achieved a high V-oc of 5.52 V, I-sc of 12.46 mA and FF of 63.56 %, resulting in an eta of 4.37 % and power generation of about 44 mW.
2021 12TH INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENGINEERING CONFERENCE (IREC 2021)
(2021)
Article
Optics
Nan Guan, Nuno Amador-Mendez, Junkang Wang, Subrata Das, Akanksha Kapoor, Francois H. Julien, Noelle Gogneau, Martin Foldyna, Sudipta Som, Joel Eymery, Christophe Durand, Maria Tchernycheva
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-PHOTONICS
(2019)
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)
