Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Arvind Pujari, Tiju Thomas
Summary: Plasmonic nanoparticles made of earth-abundant metals such as Al, In, Mg, and Ni have shown potential for light trapping in amorphous silicon solar cells. Alloys of these metals, particularly Al-In and Al-Mg, have demonstrated higher light absorption efficiency and corrosion resistance compared to individual metals, making them promising candidates for future plasmonic applications. The study presents a numerical solution developed using Mie Theory, Transfer Matrix Modeling, and Effective Medium Theory to analyze the light trapping ability of alloy nanoparticles, providing valuable insights for materials design and encouraging further research in this field.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Optics
Benedikt Blaesi, Mario Hanser, Klaus Jaeger, Oliver Hoehn
Summary: Solar cells can enhance light trapping efficiency by utilizing gratings. We present an analytical model to optimize the grating period and provide guidelines for maximizing light trapping in high-end solar cells.
Article
Mathematics, Applied
E. Seim, A. Kohler, R. Lukacs, M. A. Brandsrud, E. S. Marstein, E. Olsen, R. Blumel
Summary: The research team maximizes absorption by trapping light rays in chaotic scattering systems and proposes the use of an autocorrelation function to assess the average path length of rays as a possible experimental method to verify light-trapping efficiency.
Article
Optics
Jovan Maksimovic, Jingwen Hu, Soon Hock Ng, Tomas Katkus, Gediminas Seniutinas, Tatiana Pinedo Rivera, Michael Stuiber, Yoshiaki Nishijima, Sajeev John, Saulius Juodkazis
Summary: Light trapping photonic crystal (PhC) patterns on the surface of Si solar cells provide a novel opportunity for approaching the theoretical efficiency limit. Two surface patterning methods are compared, along with electron beam lithography. Spectral characterization of the PhC light trapping is also discussed.
OPTO-ELECTRONIC ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alemayehu G. Waketola, Fekadu G. Hone, Genene T. Mola, Saheed O. Oseni, Hezron Ogutu, Newayemedhin A. Tegegne
Summary: Plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) were used to enhance photon harvest in organic solar cells (OSCs). By incorporating hybrid silver/silver-oxide (Ag/Ag2O) NPs in the hole transport layer (HTL) PEDOT:PSS, OSCs based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and (6,6)-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) showed improved conductivity, optical absorption, aggregation, and power conversion efficiency. The significant improvement in the power conversion efficiency was attributed to the synergistic enhancement in exciton generation, dissociation, charge collection, and dissociation probability.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shih-Hsiu Chen, Kuan-Yi Kuo, Kun-Hung Tsai, Chia-Yun Chen
Summary: This study successfully achieved orientation modulation of silicon nanowires with controlled size and spacing by adjusting the etchant compositions. Hybrid solar cells constructed with these nanowires showed improved performance compared to traditional ones.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jilei Wang, Yimin Xuan, Likai Zheng, Yuanpei Xu, Liyou Yang
Summary: The innovative stacked mask method combined with a two-step texturing method was developed to prepare asymmetrical micro-pyramid structures on SHJ solar cells, significantly improving the light trapping effect. Research showed that a smaller bottom angle of backside pyramids led to better surface passivation quality and increased Jsc and PCE of the SHJ solar cells.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zongheng Sun, Wei Chen, Xiaohu Zhang, Miao Xu, Guoguang Xing, Xingqian Chen, Bowen Feng, Haozhen Li, Jiehua Ma, Yan Wang, Xiaolong Du, Yaoping Liu
Summary: To find a more effective light trapping structure for silicon solar cells, a chain pyramid structure was obtained by using texturing additives under alkaline condition. Compared with the conventional random pyramid's reflectivity of 9.78%, the reflectivity of the chain pyramid is reduced to 8.54%, and the structure is more uniform. The chain pyramid shows a decrease in secondary reflection and an increase in higher order reflections as the degree of overlap between the pyramids increases.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Zhefu Liao, Zhengqi Liu, Qizhao Wu, Xuefeng Zhan, Mulin Liu, Guiqiang Liu
Summary: Solar energy has been widely used as a renewable and clean energy source, but the dilemma of choosing between higher absorption but narrowband or broadband but lower absorption when designing solar irradiation absorbers has greatly limited the development of the solar energy industry. A gradient cavity-thin-film metasurface (GCM) made up of alternating multiple layers of titanium and silicon dioxide exhibits ultra-broadband strong absorption in the dominating portion of the solar irradiation spectrum. This impressive near-unity absorption is attributed to multiple light-matter interactions and provides great potential for practical applications in solar thermal energy harvesting and photothermal conversion.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Rebecca Saive
Summary: This paper discusses the significance of thin, flexible, and efficient silicon solar cells, as well as the challenges in photon management. It also explores known technological and theoretical limitations, as well as methods to improve light trapping.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Haihong Niu, Yuxin Xie, Jun Shao, Taibao Ye, Tain Wen Li
Summary: This article reports an easy synthetic method, spin coating, for embedding silver nanoparticles into textured pits with controllable gap on a micro scale. It demonstrates that the engineered nucleation sites for texturing process can effectively control the morphological properties of the photo-anode, leading to improved stability and efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The results suggest a new approach for adjusting the morphology and structure of solar cell photo-anodes and obtaining arrayed nanostructures with potential synthesis benefits for DSSCs.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jianming Ding, Shuai Zou, Leilei Shen, Jonghyung Choi, Junhu Cui, Dichun Yuan, Chengkun Wu, Zheng Lu, Yulian Zeng, Ronglei Fan, Yadong Xu, Baochen Liao, Mingrong Shen, Xiaodong Su
Summary: This paper studied the influence of rear pyramid morphologies with different slope angles on the optical and electrical properties of bi-PERC solar cells. The results showed that a smoother rear surface was favorable for rear passivation but unfavorable for rear-side light trapping. Rear surface morphologies also influenced the front-side light trapping. The highest front-side average efficiency of 22.86% was achieved using a modified acidic polishing process.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Mohammad Ali Shameli, Leila Yousefi
Summary: A new method utilizing multi-scale photonic topological insulators to enhance sunlight absorption in thin film solar cells is proposed in this paper, and full wave numerical analysis demonstrates significant improvement in short circuit current of the solar cell.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Optics
Bingfei Dou, Rui Jia, Zhao Xing, Xiaojiang Yao, Dongping Xiao, Zhi Jin, Xinyu Liu
Summary: In this study, silicon nanostructures were synthesized via silver-catalyzed etching to improve the performance of solar cells, with atomic-layer-deposited Al2O3 passivation. The nanotextured cells achieved a lower surface recombination velocity, higher open-circuit voltage, and short-circuit current. Furthermore, the electrode contact property was enhanced by light-induced plating, leading to a best efficiency of 13.3% for the nano-textured cells, higher than the planar cell's 12%.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hongen Li, Yizhi Hu, Hao Wang, Qi Tao, Yonggang Zhu, Yue Yang
Summary: A composite light-trapping structure is proposed in this study, utilizing a double-layer antireflection coating on the upper surface and Ag hemispheres on the substrate to enhance full-spectrum light absorption. The light-trapping effects remain efficient over different thicknesses of the active layer, with the short-circuit current density (J(sc)) of thin-film solar cells approaching the theoretical limit with the optimized structure.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
L. Cattin, A. El Mahlali, M. A. Cherif, S. Touihri, Z. El Jouad, Y. Mouchaal, P. Blanchard, G. Louarn, H. Essaidi, M. Addou, A. Khelil, P. Torchio, J. C. Bernede
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. Darghouth, S. Aouida, B. Bessais
Summary: Crystalline metallurgical silicon nanopowder was successfully produced from Tunisian silica sand through magnesiothermic reduction. After two-steps leaching to remove impurities, pure porous and crystalline silicon powder with a yield exceeding 99% was obtained.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. Hajjaji, C. Amri, A. Rebhi, M. Gaidi, R. Ouertani, M. Amlouk, B. Bessais, M. A. El Khakani
Summary: This study investigates the correlation between the morphological structure and optoelectronic properties of Al2O3/silicon nanowires (SiNWs), revealing a non-linear dependence of the SiNWs' length on etching time and a stabilization of the reflectivity of the Al2O3/SiNWs nanostructures across different etching times. Additionally, a Raman redshift is observed with decreasing etching time, indicating spatial confinement in thinner SiNWs. The photoluminescence emission of the Al2O3/SiNWs nanocomposite shows two bands, red and blue, attributed to quantum confinement and defects related to SiOx formed on the sidewalls of SiNWs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mounir Gaidi, Kais Daoudi, Soumya Columbus, Anouar Hajjaji, My Ali El Khakani, Brahim Bessais
Summary: The study demonstrates that the composite of silicon nanowires and graphene oxide exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance and significant degradation efficiency for organic pollutants. The photocatalysis efficiency is strongly influenced by etching time and etchant concentration.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Safa Jemai, Anouar Hajjaji, Faisal Baig, Imen Harabi, Bernabe Mari Soucase, Brahim Bessais
Summary: This study reports a systematic investigation on the morphological changes of lead sulfide (PbS) during the hydrothermal preparation process. It was found that the shapes of PbS micro/nanostructures can be tuned by adjusting process parameters such as precursor concentrations and reaction conditions. Various PbS structures were characterized using microscopy and XRD, with different morphologies observed based on the choice of precursors and reaction conditions.
MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
(2021)
Article
Crystallography
Leila Manai, Bechir Dridi Rezgui, Damien Barakel, Philippe Torchio, Olivier Palais, Olfa Messaoudi, Arwa Azhary, Feriel Bouhjar, Brahim Bessais
Summary: Metal nanoparticles are of interest for their optical and electrical properties in solar cell devices. Dielectric spacer layers with appropriate thickness and refractive index can reduce the amount of reflected light.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ameni Rebhi, Anouar Hajjaji, Joel Leblanc-Lavoie, Salma Aouida, Mounir Gaidi, Brahim Bessais, My Ali El Khakani
Summary: This study investigates the changes in the properties of PbS films deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) as the background pressure of helium (P-He) varies. Increasing He pressure leads to changes in morphology, crystallite size, lattice parameter, Raman peak, and optical bandgap of the films. The electrical resistivity also increases with P-He, with a maximum value reached at P-He = 300 mTorr.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Khawla Missaoui, Rachid Ouertani, Elyes Jbira, Rabah Boukherroub, Brahim Bessais
Summary: Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nanostructured films were prepared and applied for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution. Among the different nanostructures, nanoflower-like BiVO4 exhibited the best catalytic activity, achieving complete degradation of RhB in 17 minutes under optimized conditions. Quenching experiments indicated sulfate radicals as the main active species in the degradation process, and the BiVO4 catalyst remained stable after five cycles.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mabrouk Abidi, Anouar Hajjaji, Abdelkrim Bouzaza, Lina Lamaa, Laure Peruchon, Cedric Brochier, Sami Rtimi, Dominique Wolbert, Brahim Bessais, Aymen Amin Assadi
Summary: Indoor air pollution is a complex issue that poses a threat to human health and efforts should be made to improve indoor air quality. Research has shown that photocatalytic treatment can effectively purify indoor air in hospitals, with good removal efficiency for volatile organic compounds.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
M. Najjar, B. Dridi Rezgui, M. Bouaicha, O. Palais, B. Bessais, S. Aouida
Summary: This study investigates the local activation of Light-induced degradation (LID) defect in highly co-doped silicon wafers with boron and phosphorus through a mapping technique. The experiments show that LID defects can be activated even in unexcited areas, and a high phosphorus doping level in silicon wafers leads to a significant reduction in the LID effect.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lotfi Khezami, Imen Lounissi, Anouar Hajjaji, Ahlem Guesmi, Aymen Amine Assadi, Brahim Bessais
Summary: This study investigated the removal of bacteria and VOCs using Pt-NPs decorated TiO2-NTs, resulting in a 90% removal rate within 60 minutes of visible light irradiation. The nanocomposites exhibited effective photocatalytic and antibacterial properties, as confirmed by experimental results and characterization techniques.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Faisal K. Algethami, Khaled Trabelsi, Anouar Hajjaji, Mohamed B. Rabha, Lotfi Khezami, Mohamed R. Elamin, Brahim Bessais, My Ali El Khakani
Summary: This study investigates the photocatalytic properties of nanohybrids composed of PbS nanoparticles decorated silicon nanowires for wastewater treatment. The results show that the decorated PbS/SiNWs nanohybrids exhibit enhanced photocatalytic degradation, suggesting their potential as efficient photocatalytic systems for organic compound purification from wastewaters.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Khaled Trabelsi, Mabrouk Abidi, Anouar Hajjaji, Rania Tefdini, Brahim Bessais, Sami Rtimi
Summary: This study investigates the effect of anodization time on the morphology, optical, and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 nanotubes. The results show that the length of the nanotubes increases with longer anodization time. The optimized nanotubes demonstrate efficient bacterial inactivation and degradation of organic pollutants under low-intensity solar-simulated light.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Optics
S. Sassi, K. Trabelsi, A. El Jery, M. Abidi, A. Hajjaji, L. Khezami, A. Karrech, M. Gaidi, B. M. Soucase, B. Bessais
Summary: This study investigates TiO2 nanotube arrays fabricated by anodization and their photocatalytic performance when decorated with CuxOy nanoparticles using SILAR. The results show that increasing the number of SILAR cycles leads to the formation of CuO and Cu2O nanoparticles on the TiO2 nanotubes, enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Safa Jemai, Lotfi Khezami, Kaouther Gueddana, Khaled Trabelsi, Anouar Hajjaji, Mosbah Amlouk, Bernabe Mari Soucase, Brahim Bessais, Sami Rtimi
Summary: This study investigates the properties of ZrO2 nanotubes synthesized by electrochemical anodization, focusing on their structure, optics, and photocatalytic activity. The effects of annealing temperature on the structural and morphological characteristics of the nanotubes were analyzed using XRD, SEM, and TEM. The reflectivity and photoluminescence of the nanotubes were found to vary with annealing temperature. The photocatalytic degradation of Black Amido dye by the annealed nanotubes was also evaluated, with the best performance observed in samples annealed at 400 degrees C.
