Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
G. Syrrokostas, K. Bhorkar, L. Sygellou, V. Dracopoulos, G. Leftheriotis, S. N. Yannopoulos
Summary: In this study, it is demonstrated that PtSe2 films, prepared by soft selenization of pre-deposited Pt, are highly efficient counter electrodes (CEs) in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Devices based on PtSe2 achieve better photoconversion efficiency (9.5±1.2%) compared to those using bare Pt CE (9.18±0.21%), even with lower Pt loading. The improved performance of PtSe2 CEs is attributed to the higher availability of catalytic active sites and more effective mechanism of interfacial electron transfer.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Aycan Atli, Abdullah Yildiz
Summary: An opaque platinum film as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells demonstrates enhanced reflectivity, smaller resistance, and excellent adhesion properties. As a result, the DSSC with the opaque platinum film achieves a higher electrical power conversion efficiency compared to the transparent platinum film under the same conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nadia Shahzad, Lutfullah, Tahira Perveen, Diego Pugliese, Sirajul Haq, Nusrat Fatima, Syed Muhammad Salman, Alberto Tagliaferro, Muhammad Imran Shahzad
Summary: Efficiency, stability, and cost-effectiveness are the prime challenges in research of materials for solar cells. This study explores carbon nanotubes as alternative counter electrode materials for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and discusses various classes of carbon nanotube-based counter electrode materials comprehensively. The properties associated with these materials are analyzed and compared. Additionally, this study includes a brief overview of materials for other components of DSSCs.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dui Ma, Xiang Ma, Meilan Xie, Xuejiao Liu, Jiantao Zai, Xuefeng Qian, Xiaofeng Wang, Jiyang Zhao, Zhaorui Pan, Xiao Liang, Yuchi Zhang
Summary: Developing a cost-saving, high-efficiency, and simple synthesis of counter electrode (CE) material to replace pricy Pt for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has become a research hotspot. The strategy to controllably synthesize the same element in several phase heterostructures used as the CE in DSSCs is still absent.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
J. Luo, J. C. Liu, Z. Q. Zhao, S. H. Sun, Y. Zhu, Y. M. Hu
Summary: Orthogonal Cu3SnS4 (CTS) nano-crystals were synthesized, with Cu7S4 seeds forming first at 130 degrees C and orthorhombic CTS nano-crystals forming at 180 degrees C. Selenization at 500 degrees C for 20 minutes resulted in the formation of CTSXSe4-X, which showed good conductivity and electrocatalytic activity for I-3(-) reduction when used as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. The optimal 1.7 μm thick CTSXSe4-X counter electrode achieved a power conversion efficiency of 7.57%.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Abdullah Yildiz, Takwa Chouki, Aycan Atli, Moussab Harb, Sammy W. Verbruggen, Rajeshreddy Ninakanti, Saim Emin
Summary: Transition metal phosphides, particularly the Fe2P phase, show comparable solar-to-current conversion efficiency with platinum (Pt) as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) while exhibiting improved stability, making them a promising Pt-free alternative for efficient DSSCs.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Belqasem Aljafari, Subbiah Vijaya, Arash Takshi, Sambandam Anandan
Summary: This study explores manganese dioxide (MnO2) and copper-doped manganese dioxide (Cu-MnO2) nanoparticles as candidates for the counter electrode (CE) material in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), aiming to provide low-cost alternatives to platinum (Pt). Experimental results show that DSSC devices fabricated with 10 wt% Cu-MnO(2) as CE exhibit better performance. The low-cost feature of using Cu-MnO(2) as CE is encouraging for further research in improving the efficiency of DSSCs with alternative CEs.
ARABIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
U. A. Kamarulzaman, M. Y. A. Rahman, M. S. Su'ait, A. A. Umar
Summary: NiPd alloy-rGO prepared by LPD technique was studied as CE for DSSC, showing potential to replace Pt with comparable efficiency. Ni content and Ni:Pd ratio were found to significantly influence the device performance.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Mathew K. Francis, P. Balaji Bhargav, N. Santhosh, Nafis Ahmed, C. Balaji, R. Govindaraj
Summary: MoS2-based transition metal dichalcogenide nanoflowers were synthesized using the hydrothermal method in this study to examine their potential as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). MoS2-HCP counter electrode showed better electrochemical performance with 5% power conversion efficiency achieved. The bifacial concept of DSSC was demonstrated with 2.2% power conversion efficiency under rear-side illumination.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Arimakula Chamatam Kasi Reddy, Maddala Gurulakshmi, Parnapalli Muni Mounika, Ambapuram Meenakshamma, Katta Venkateswarlu, Yorva Pedda Venkata Subbaiah, Mitty Raghavender
Summary: Counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were fabricated using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and platinum (Pt) solution, with high transparency and adhesion on an FTO glass substrate, through the Marker pen lithography coating method. The morphology and roughness of the PEDOT:PSS-MPL and Pt-MPL CEs were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), while the electrochemical properties were evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The device performance was assessed through current density-voltage (J-V) measurements, with the Pt-MPL and PEDOT:PSS-MPL CEs achieving power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 4.25% and 3.00%, respectively, compared to dip coated PEDOT:PSS-DC and Pt-DC CEs.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
G. Sankar, P. Anbarasu, R. Mahendran, K. Rajendran, T. Sivakumar
Summary: This paper systematically researched a new type of solar cell counterelectrode material CoNi2S4/rGO, which exhibits excellent photo-conversion efficiency and electrocatalytic performance, outperforming traditional counter electrode materials Pt and pristine CoNi2S4.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Kenji Machida, Kazuya Koseki, Shingo Takeuchi
Summary: The conversion efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) using a PEDOT-coated transparent conducting substrate as a counter electrode is slightly higher compared to a DSC using a platinum sputtered counter electrode. The lower charge-transfer resistance of the PEDOT-based cell is attributed to the faster mediator reaction on the counter electrode.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Pooja A. Mithari, Avinash C. Mendhe, Swapnil S. Karade, Babasaheb R. Sankapal, Sujata R. Patrikar
Summary: The simple chemical bath deposition method successfully prepared MoS2 nanoflakes/MWCNTs thin-film composite material as the counter electrode in DSSCs, significantly increasing the photovoltaic conversion efficiency. The synergistic effect of the two materials resulted in improved electrocatalytic activity and lower charge transfer resistance at the CE/electrolyte interface.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mahin Mirzaei, Mohammad Bagher Gholivand
Summary: In this study, a novel nanomaterial f-MWCNTs@NiMoSe2 was successfully synthesized and applied in DSSCs, showing excellent properties in electrochemical performance and catalytic activity, indicating promising commercial application potential.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
C. Tamilselvi, P. Duraisamy, N. Subathra
Summary: The NiSe2/graphene hybrid material, in which NiSe2 nanocrystals are uniformly anchored on graphene nanosheets, exhibits remarkable catalytic activity in dye-sensitized solar cells. It shows higher power conversion efficiency and has the potential to replace Pt in such cells.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tingting Wei, Xianxi Zhang, Yingke Ren, Yifan Wang, Zhaoqian Li, Hong Zhang, Linhua Hu
Summary: Guided by metal-coordination chemistry, a multifunctional electrolyte additive, sulfolane (SL), is introduced into aqueous ZnSO4 electrolyte to achieve stable and reversible zinc-ion batteries. The SL molecules can simultaneously modulate Zn2+ solvation structure and anode/electrolyte interface, leading to improved stability and performance. This electrolyte engineering technique protects the Zn anode from detrimental side-reactions and enables high reversibility and outstanding stability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mian Gao, Zhitao Shen, Gentian Yue, Chen Dong, Jihuai Wu, Yueyue Gao, Furui Tan
Summary: In this study, a novel synthesis method was developed to prepare efficient and economical non noble metal counter electrode (CE) electrocatalytic materials with good catalytic ability and stability for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The resulting micro-nanostructured composite of CE showed high power conversion efficiency and a distinctive porous structure that facilitated fast charge transport.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yaole Peng, Fantai Kong, Shuanghong Chen, Chundie Zhao, Jinxue Zhang, Xianxi Zhang, Rahim Ghadari, Wenjun Liu, Linhua Hu
Summary: This study reports a hole transporting pathway constructed with two star-shaped hole transport materials, TP01 and PP01, which successfully enhance the hole mobility of perovskite solar cells and achieve a high power conversion efficiency.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yunjuan Niu, Dingchao He, Xianxi Zhang, Linhua Hu, Yang Huang
Summary: The study found that benzyldodecyldimethylammonium bromide (BDDAB) can simultaneously repair defects and improve resistance to humidity erosion, thereby enhancing the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jingxu Tian, Jihuai Wu, Yuhe Lin, Jialian Geng, Jialiang Shi, Wenhui Lin, Wenxuan Hao, Chaoran Ke, Jinhui Yang, Weihai Sun, Zhang Lan
Summary: As a solution to the challenges of improving efficiency and stability in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a cage polyamine molecule hexamethylenetramine (HMTA) is incorporated into the tin oxide electron transport layer (ETL). The introduction of HMTA improves electron extraction ability and energy-level alignment of functional layers. It also reduces defects and enhances stability, resulting in a PSC with a high power conversion efficiency of 22.37%. This research demonstrates the use of cage polyamines as an effective method for improving the performance and stability of PSCs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chunyan Deng, Jihuai Wu, Yuqian Yang, Yitian Du, Ruoshui Li, Qi Chen, Yuan Xu, Weihai Sun, Zhang Lan, Peng Gao
Summary: By functionalizing the buried interface using DDSI2, the distribution and size of PbI2 clusters can be modulated, leading to improved performance of perovskite films. DDSI2 serves as a multifunctional modifier that optimizes the energy level of SnO2 and passivates buried interface defects. The hydrogen bonding and coordination between DDSI2 and perovskite reduce crystal growth rate and lattice stress, resulting in enhanced perovskite quality and modulated PbI2 distribution. The DDSI2-modified device exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 24.10% and a storage stability of 1800 h, demonstrating a unique strategy for the rational control of PbI2 in efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tingting Wei, Yingke Ren, Yifan Wang, Li'e Mo, Zhaoqian Li, Hong Zhang, Linhua Hu, Guozhong Cao
Summary: The adsorption of 1,4-dioxane on the Zn anode surface can improve the stability and cycling performance of ZIBs by inhibiting dendrite growth and side reactions. ZIBs with the addition of 1,4-dioxane showed a long-term cycling stability of 1000 hours and good reversibility. This study provides a promising modulation strategy at the molecular level for high-performing Zn anodes.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zeyu Song, Zhongkai Hao, Xu Zhang, Jihuai Wu
Summary: In recent years, there has been an increase in the development and research of photocapacitors. They have the potential to address the intermittent output problem of solar cells but their efficiency is much lower than that of photovoltaic devices, limiting their usability. As an intersection of photovoltaic devices and supercapacitors, the development of photocapacitors is still in its early stages and faces numerous challenges. This review provides an introduction to the classification of photocapacitors, outlines the development process, and points out the problems that need to be solved.
FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anling Tong, Chenwei Zhu, Huiying Yan, Chunhong Zhang, Yinuo Jin, Yunjia Wu, Fengxian Cao, Jihuai Wu, Weihai Sun
Summary: Inorganic CsPbBr3-based perovskite solar cells have excellent humidity and thermal stability, but those without a hole transport layer suffer from serious carrier recombination. To solve this problem, a passivation layer of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is used between the CsPbBr3 film and carbon electrode. This PMMA layer suppresses trap sites, facilitates faster carrier extraction and transportation, improves energy level alignment, and acts as a moisture protective layer. The modified device achieved a champion PCE of 9.60% with a high VOC of 1.58 V, and negligible PCE loss after 400 hours of aging.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yitian Du, Ying Wang, Jihuai Wu, Qi Chen, Chunyan Deng, Ran Ji, Liuxue Sun, Lina Tan, Xia Chen, Yiming Xie, Yunfang Huang, Yana Vaynzof, Peng Gao, Weihai Sun, Zhang Lan
Summary: Sodium bicarbonate is used as an additive in perovskite solar cells to improve the formation of perovskite film and enhance the crystallinity and grain structure, resulting in improved device efficiency and stability.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wenhui Lin, Jihuai Wu, Jingxu Tian, Yuhe Lin, Puzhao Yang, Yongheng Huang, Xiaoyuan Jiang, Lin Gao, Ying Wang, Weihai Sun, Zhang Lan, Miaoliang Huang
Summary: The introduction of multifunctional additive TFMBI into perovskite films effectively repairs surface defects, improves the performance of perovskite solar cells, and enhances their environmental stability.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pengxu Chen, Weichun Pan, Sijia Zhu, Fengxian Cao, Anling Tong, Ruowei He, Zhang Lan, Weihai Sun, Jihuai Wu
Summary: In this study, defects in the SnO2 electron transport layer and perovskite layer were effectively passivated by introducing a multifunctional molecule TMACl. The presence of TMACl suppressed the defects in SnO2 and passivated the defects in PVK, resulting in improved device performance of perovskite solar cells. The devices based on TMACl-doped SnO2 and TMACl-modified SnO2 electron transport layers achieved higher efficiencies compared to the pristine device, and the TMACl-modified SnO2 maintained 88% of its original efficiency after 35 days of storage in a humidity-controlled chamber.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Weichun Pan, Pengxu Chen, Sijia Zhu, Ruowei He, Qingshui Zheng, Fengxian Cao, Zhang Lan, Jihuai Wu, Weihai Sun, Yunlong Li
Summary: The introduction of 6-amino-1-hexanol (HAL) with bilateral electron-donating groups between SnO2 and perovskite (PVK) optimizes the buried interfacial properties and improves the PVK film quality in perovskite solar cells. HAL acts as a molecular bridge to effectively passivate surface defects of SnO2 and stabilize the [PbI6](4)- octahedra at the buried interface. The HAL-modified device exhibits significantly enhanced photovoltaic performance and improved stability after storage.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinbiao Jia, Beibei Shi, Jia Dong, Zhe Jiang, Shuaibing Guo, Jihuai Wu, Bingqiang Cao
Summary: By introducing 4-iodo-1H-imidazole into the perovskite precursor, defects in the perovskite films can be prevented, resulting in a significant increase in open-circuit voltage and decreased nonradiative recombination. As a result, the device efficiency is increased by 20% compared to the control device.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuqian Yang, Qiu Xiong, Jihuai Wu, Yongguang Tu, Tianxiao Sun, Guixiang Li, Xuping Liu, Xiaobing Wang, Yitian Du, Chunyan Deng, Lina Tan, Yuelin Wei, Yu Lin, Yunfang Huang, Miaoliang Huang, Weihai Sun, Leqing Fan, Yiming Xie, Jianming Lin, Zhang Lan, Valerio Stacchinii, Artem Musiienko, Qin Hu, Peng Gao, Antonio Abate, Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin
Summary: This study introduces a novel strategy of spinodal decomposition to create a poly(3-hexylthiophene)/perovskite (P3HT/PVK) heterointerface, effectively reducing energy and carrier losses in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The P3HT/PVK heterointerface improves energy alignment, reducing energy loss at the interface, and the interpenetrating structure bridges a transport channel, decreasing carrier loss at the interface. This innovative approach achieves a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 24.53% for PSCs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Siddharth Sradhasagar, Omkar Subhasish Khuntia, Srikanta Biswal, Sougat Purohit, Amritendu Roy
Summary: In this study, machine learning models were developed to predict the bandgap and its character of double perovskite materials, with LGBMRegressor and XGBClassifier models identified as the best predictors. These models were further employed to predict the bandgap of novel bismuth-based transition metal oxide double perovskites, showing high accuracy, especially in the range of 1.2-1.8 eV.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wei Shuai, Haoran Xu, Baoyang Luo, Yihui Huang, Dong Chen, Peiwang Zhu, Gang Xiao
Summary: In this study, a hybrid model based on numerical simulation and deep learning is proposed for the optimization and operation of solar receivers. By applying the model to different application scenarios and considering multiple performance objectives, small errors are achieved and optimal structure parameters and heliostat scales are identified. This approach is not only applicable to gas turbines but also heating systems.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mubashar Ali, Zunaira Bibi, M. W. Younis, Muhammad Mubashir, Muqaddas Iqbal, Muhammad Usman Ali, Muhammad Asif Iqbal
Summary: This study investigates the structural, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties of the BaCuF3 fluoroperovskite using the first-principles modelling approach. The stability and characteristics of different cubic structures of BaCuF3 are evaluated, and the alpha-BaCuF3 and beta-BaCuF3 compounds are found to be mechanically stable with favorable optical properties for solar cells and high-frequency UV applications.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dong Le Khac, Shahariar Chowdhury, Asmaa Soheil Najm, Montri Luengchavanon, Araa mebdir Holi, Mohammad Shah Jamal, Chin Hua Chia, Kuaanan Techato, Vidhya Selvanathan
Summary: A novel recycling system is proposed in this study to decompose and reclaim the constituent materials of organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By utilizing a one-step solution process extraction approach, the chemical composition of each layer is successfully preserved, enabling their potential reuse. The proposed recycling technique helps mitigate pollution risks, minimize waste generation, and reduce recycling costs.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Peijie Lin, Feng Guo, Xiaoyang Lu, Qianying Zheng, Shuying Cheng, Yaohai Lin, Zhicong Chen, Lijun Wu, Zhuang Qian
Summary: This paper proposes an open-set fault diagnosis model for PV arrays based on 1D VoVNet-SVDD. The model accurately diagnoses various types of faults and is capable of identifying unknown fault types.
