Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kefu Zhu, Shiqiang Wei, Quan Zhou, Shuangming Chen, Yunxiang Lin, Pengjun Zhang, Yuyang Cao, Changda Wang, Yixiu Wang, Yujian Xia, Dengfeng Cao, Zeinab Mohamed, Xin Guo, Xiya Yang, Xiaojun Wu, Li Song
Summary: Transition metal selenides have received great attention due to their high theoretical capacity, but the fluctuation in volume during charge/discharge process leads to significant reduction in electrochemical performance. In this study, carbon-regulated copper(I) selenide (Cu2Se@C) is designed to enhance the stability and ion diffusion in selenide electrodes, resulting in improved storage kinetics. The experimental results show that the capacitance process plays a crucial role in the Cu2Se@C material.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Bowen Liu, Xinan Shi, Wei Shao, Jiaxin Gao, Chenxi Zhao, Fuyan Chen, Dongdong Shen, Bingsuo Zou, Daocheng Pan
Summary: A novel and green ionic liquid-assisted ink is developed for the fabrication of highly efficient CIGSSe solar cells by inkjet printing. Compared to the conventional vacuum-based deposition and spin-coating solution methods, inkjet printing technology can remarkably improve the material utilization of copper indium gallium sulfur selenium (CIGS) and achieve a flat and continuous deposition of CIGS thin film. The inkjet-printed CIGSSe solar cells show an encouraging power conversion efficiency of 15.22%.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shaohong Yang, Wencai Zhou, Jingjing Qu, Linrui Zhang, Xiaoyu Lv, Zilong Zheng, Xiaoqing Chen, Hui Yan, Ming Zhao, Daming Zhuang
Summary: Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)(2) has distinct advantages as a photovoltaic material, allowing independent tuning of its conduction and valence bands, as well as its composition distribution. Through calculations and simulations, we achieved high-efficiency Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)(2) solar cells with an efficiency of 23.29%, providing an understanding of tunable engineered band energy research.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joo-Hyun Kim, Hyemi Han, Min Kyu Kim, Jongtae Ahn, Do Kyung Hwang, Tae Joo Shin, Byoung Koun Min, Jung Ah Lim
Summary: In this study, a solution-processed near-infrared photodetector based on CIGS was successfully developed, with the incorporation of potassium promoting Se uptake in the film to improve light absorption and charge carrier separation. The addition of potassium also enhanced chalcopyrite crystalline grain growth, increasing charge carrier mobility and ultimately improving photosensitivity and external quantum efficiency of the photodetector.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Aubin JC. M. Prot, Michele Melchiorre, Felix Dingwell, Anastasia Zelenina, Hossam Elanzeery, Alberto Lomuscio, Thomas Dalibor, Maxim Guc, Robert Fonoll-Rubio, Victor Izquierdo-Roca, Gunnar Kusch, Rachel A. Oliver, Susanne Siebentritt
Summary: The article discusses the achievement of record efficiency in chalcopyrite-based solar cells using a gallium gradient and reveals non-radiative recombination issues at the back contacts of industrial absorbers. The study proposes a model where discrete bandgap phases interlace to form an apparent gradient throughout the thickness of the absorber.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Amala Elizabeth, Sudhir K. Sahoo, Himanshu Phirke, Tim Kodalle, Thomas D. Kuhne, Jean-Nicolas Audinot, Tom Wirtz, Alex Redinger, Christian A. Kaufmann, Hossein Mirhosseini, Harry Moenig
Summary: Alkali postdeposition treatments of Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 absorbers with KF, RbF, and CsF have been effective in improving the efficiency of chalcopyrite thin film solar cells. This study investigates the impact of RbF treatment on the electronic properties and defect physics of chalcopyrite absorber surfaces, showing that RbF treatment can effectively passivate electronic defect levels and prevent surface oxidation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data reveals the presence of chemisorbed Rb on the surface, contributing to the surface passivation. Additionally, the diffusion of Rb along with other elements and the subsequent heat-induced formation of metallic Rb phases can lead to deterioration of the absorber-window interface.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
I. Majumdar, S. K. Sahoo, V. Parvan, H. Mirhosseini, B. Chacko, Y. Wang, D. Greiner, T. D. Kuhne, R. Schlatmann, I. Lauermann
Summary: The work investigates the alkali-induced chemical and electronic modifications at the KF- and RbF-treated Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 (CIGSe)/CdS interfaces, which are correlated to a Density Functional Theoretical (DFT) model of the alkali metal induced point defects at a CuInSe2/CdS interface. The analysis reveals different compositions at the interfaces, indicating possible formation of specific defects and changes in acceptor and donor densities, ultimately resulting in enhanced type-inversion and improvements in fill factor (FF) and open-circuit voltage (Voc) gains in devices.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kefu Zhu, Shiqiang Wei, Quan Zhou, Shuangming Chen, Yunxiang Lin, Pengjun Zhang, Yuyang Cao, Changda Wang, Yixiu Wang, Yujian Xia, Dengfeng Cao, Zeinab Mohamed, Xin Guo, Xiya Yang, Xiaojun Wu, Li Song
Summary: A novel Cu2Se@C material has been designed to improve the performance of selenide electrodes, providing a new approach for the development of lithium batteries.
Article
Energy & Fuels
C. Ossig, N. Pyrlik, R. Carron, G. Fevola, S. Patjens, C. Strelow, J. Flugge, A. Kolditz, J. Siebels, J. Garrevoet, K. Spiers, M. Seyrich, D. Bruckner, J. Hagemann, F. Seiboth, A. Schropp, G. Falkenberg, A. Mews, C. G. Schroer, T. Kipp, M. E. Stuckelberger
Summary: Cost efficiency and defect passivation are the two major challenges for thin-film solar cells. Increasing the Ga/In ratio improves performance but conflicts with economic interests. This study investigates Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 cells and finds that In-rich cells have better performance and more uniform distribution compared to Ga-rich cells. The effect of Rb suggests more effective passivation of structural defects.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Christopher P. Muzzillo, Stephen Glynn, Glenn Teeter, Lorelle M. Mansfield
Summary: This study investigates the effect of KF post-deposition treatments (PDTs) on the performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 (CIGS) solar cells using air-free transfer of multiple samples. The results show that KF PDTs can improve cell efficiency, enhance minority carrier lifetime, and modify the alignment of the surface valence band.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mariya Grudova, Victor N. Khrustalev, Alexey S. Kubasov, Pavel Strashnov, Zhanna Matsulevich, Julia M. Lukiyanova, Galina N. Borisova, Andreii S. Kritchenkov, Maria M. Grishina, Alexey A. Artemjev, Ivan Buslov, Vladimir K. Osmanov, Valentine G. Nenajdenko, Nguyen Q. Trung, Alexander Borisov, Alexander G. Tskhovrebov
Summary: The supramolecular chemistry of chalcogenadiazoles is widely used in materials chemistry and is gaining increasing attention. This study presents a facile method for the synthesis of a range of 1,2,4-selenadiazoles using the coupling reaction of 2-pyridylselenenyl halides with unactivated nitriles. These compounds act as novel supramolecular building blocks, engaging in various chalcogen bonding interactions. The research also discovers adducts derived from alpha-halogenated nitriles, which form stable dimers featuring specific 2Se-2N square, Hal· · ·Hal, and Se· · ·Hal noncovalent interactions.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olesya Nakonechna, Mariana Tymoshenko, Yurii Titov, Nadezhda Belyavina
Summary: The study showed that Ga dopants significantly increase the corrosion resistance of copper at annealing in air, with the activation energy of oxidation increasing as the Ga content increases, and the oxidation rates decreasing by almost 100 times. The oxidation of Cu1-xGax powders results in the formation of Ga2O3, CuO, and CuGa2O4 phases.
ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ulrike Kuenecke, Matthias Schuster, Peter Wellmann
Summary: By using energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) at different acceleration energies, the compositional gradients in CIGSSe can be measured to determine the distribution of components at various locations, providing information on lateral homogeneity over a large area.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Sunil Suresh, David J. Rokke, Amandine A. Drew, Essam Alruqobah, Rakesh Agrawal, Alexander R. Uhl
Summary: This article reviews the extrinsic doping concepts for CIGSSe-type absorbers fabricated by ink-based deposition routes, compares the performance of select high-efficiency ink-based devices, and offers an outlook for future process development. It suggests that the mechanisms of ink-based absorbers are fundamentally different from vacuum-based processes and require further investigation.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Sunil Suresh, Alexander R. Uhl
Summary: Photovoltaic technologies provide a sustainable solution to increasing energy demands, with chalcopyrite thin-film solar cells exhibiting high efficiency but typically fabricated using vacuum deposition methods. Research is shifting towards solution processing techniques to improve material usage, increase throughput, and lower commercialization barriers, but performance of current devices falls short of vacuum-processed counterparts.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
I. S. Babichuk, M. O. Semenenko, R. Caballero, O. Datsenko, S. Golovynskyi, Ran Qiu, Chun Huang, Rui Hu, I. Babichuk, R. R. Ziniuk, M. Stetsenko, O. A. Kapush, Jian Yang, Baikui Li, Junle Qu, M. Leon
Article
Energy & Fuels
Tim Kodalle, Hasan A. Yetkin, Alejandra Villanueva Tovar, Tobias Bertram, Reiner Klenk, Rutger Schlatmann, Christian A. Kaufmann
Summary: A comprehensive device model for CIGSe thin-film solar cells based on numerical simulations is presented, which reproduces experimentally determined characteristics under different Rb-conditionings. The model highlights the impacts of Rb-treatment on the doping density, defect passivation, and photocurrent barrier formation within the CIGSe material.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nikolaus Weinberger, David Stock, Jochen Mesle, Christian A. Kaufmann, Tobias Bertram, Tim Kodalle, Roland Wuerz, Daniel Huber, Andreas Zimmermann, Georg Strauss, Roman Lackner
Summary: This article presents a method for industrial roll-to-roll deposition of Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 thin films on stainless steel foil for use in flexible thin-film solar cells, achieving high conversion efficiency. The influence of different power settings of magnetron sputtering sources on gallium distribution and differences between static and R2R processes are studied.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
Yanpeng Fu, Sophie Gledhill, Christian-Herbert Fischer
Summary: The study elucidates the mechanism of AACVD Zn(O,S) film formation using a mass spectrometer and proposes a proton-promoted thermolysis mechanism. Real-time mass tracking reveals that only an adequate amount of H2S promotes the chemical gas-phase decomposition and sulfurization process, while an excess of H2S reduces the film growth rate.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andrea Ruiz-Perona, Galina Gurieva, Michael Sun, Tim Kodalle, Yudania Sanchez, Maarja Grossberg, Jose Manuel Merino, Susan Schorr, Maximo Leon, Raquel Caballero
Summary: The study investigates the influence of NaF precursor layer and Se capping film on Cu2ZnGe(S,Se)4 absorbers and solar cells. It reveals the strong dependence of [S]/([S]+[Se]) distribution on Na content and the relationship between Na content and solar cell efficiencies. The absence of Se capping layer can modify the [S]/([S]+[Se])-gradient throughout the CZGSSe film to produce efficient solar cells with wider band gap.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Nikolaus Weinberger, Tim Kodalle, Tobias Bertram, Rene Gunder, Andreas Saxer, Roman Lackner, Georg N. Strauss, Christian A. Kaufmann
Summary: In this study, Rb, In, and Se were deposited at various substrate temperatures, with RbInSe2 crystal phase detectable at 350 degrees C. Crystallization of monoclinic RbInSe2 was observed at 215 degrees C on the sample grown at the lowest temperature. The morphology of the layers and the preferred crystal orientation of the RISe layer changed with increasing substrate temperature.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Andrea Ruiz-Perona, Maxim Guc, Yudania Sanchez, Tim Kodalle, Jose M. Merino, Maximo Leon, Raquel Caballero
Summary: The influence of Na content and incorporation procedure into CZGSSe thin films and solar cells was investigated, revealing significant effects on the distribution and incorporation of S in the lattice. The evaporation of Se together with NaF led to increased S concentration in the surface region, resulting in higher band gap energy and open circuit voltage in CZGSSe-based photovoltaic devices.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ivan S. Babichuk, Mykola O. Semenenko, Raquel Caballero, Volodymyr V. Hladkovskyi, Oleksandr Datsenko, Oleg A. Yeshchenko, Iryna Babichuk, Chubin Lin, Yuhui Qiu, Roman A. Redko, Oleksandr M. Hreshchuk, Volodymyr O. Yukhymchuk, Maximo Leon, Jian Yang
Summary: This study investigates the impact of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field treatment on the Cu2-xS secondary phase in CZTS thin films, demonstrating a reduction in the amount of the secondary phase and long-term effectiveness. This treatment shows promise as a technique to achieve higher purities in CZTS absorber layers for solar cells.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bunyamin Umsur, Natalia Maticiuc, Tim Kodalle, Robert Wenisch, Isheta Majumdar, Yajie Wang, Hasan A. Yetkin, Tobias Bertram, Christian A. Kaufmann, Rutger Schlatmann, Iver Lauermann
Summary: This paper compares the properties of CdS/CIGSe and Zn(O,S)/CIGSe interfaces depending on the absorber composition and the application of an RbF post deposition treatment. It was found that Zn(O,S)/CIGSe interface is less sensitive to changes of the CIGSe composition and to the RbF-PDT compared to the CdS/CIGSe interface. Additionally, the study revealed a strong correlation of Cd diffusion and concentration of VCu in CIGSe before the PDT.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sinju Thomas, Tobias Bertram, Christian Kaufmann, Tim Kodalle, Jose A. Marquez Prieto, Hannes Hempel, Leo Choubrac, Wolfram Witte, Dimitrios Hariskos, Roland Mainz, Romain Carron, Jan Keller, Pablo Reyes-Figueroa, Reiner Klenk, Daniel Abou-Ras
Summary: In this study, the impacts of effective band-gap energy, electron diffusion length, and Ga/In gradient on the Gaussian broadening of parameters describing the EQE onset of thin-film solar cells were evaluated. The results show that the total standard deviation sigma(total) can be separated into contributions from these material properties and a residual component sigma(residual). It is demonstrated that a flat band-gap with no compositional gradient in the CIGSe absorber is essential to obtain the lowest sigma(total) values and thus result in lower recombination losses and gains in V-oc.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Elena Hajdeu-Chicarosh, Sergiu Levcenko, Rosalia Serna, Ivan V. Bodnar, Ivan A. Victorov, Oxana Iaseniuc, Raquel Caballero, Jose Manuel Merino, Ernest Arushanov, Maximo Leon
Summary: This study focuses on the synthesis and determination of the dielectric function of Cu2Zn(GexSi1-x)Se-4 solid solutions, with x = 0.4 and 0.8, in the range of 1-4.5 eV. Spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis is used to achieve suitable band gap tuning. The results show that the band gap of Cu2Zn(GexSi1-x)Se-4 alloys varies nonlinearly with composition, with band gap values reaching up to 1.87 eV. These findings are crucial for the design of efficient tailored photovoltaic solar cells and demonstrate the potential of kesterite compounds for the development of low-cost sustainable future solar cells.
SOLID STATE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ivona Kafedjiska, Igal Levine, Artem Musiienko, Natalia Maticiuc, Tobias Bertram, Amran Al-Ashouri, Christian A. Kaufmann, Steve Albrecht, Rutger Schlatmann, Iver Lauermann
Summary: The performance of five hole-transporting layers (HTLs) in single-junction perovskite and Cu(In, Ga)Se-2 (CIGSe)-perovskite tandem solar cells was investigated. Among them, NiOx:Cu+SAM was found to be the most suitable HTL for the monolithic CIGSe-perovskite tandem devices. It exhibited superior interfacial charge-carrier dynamics and achieved a power-conversion efficiency of 23.4%, V-oc of 1.72V, and a fill factor of 71%.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
David Palma-Lafuente, Pablo Diez-Silva, Victoria Rotaru, Tariq Jawhari, Tobias Bertram, Pablo Reyes-Figueroa, Maxim Guc, Jose Manuel Merino, Raquel Caballero
Summary: In this study, CZGSSe thin films were fabricated by sulfurization of co-evaporated CZGSe thin films. The composition of CZGSe layers was found to have an effect on the structural, vibrational, and morphological properties of CZGSSe compounds. Controlling the cation's ratio of CZGSe is important for developing high-quality wide band gap CZGSSe compounds.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
I Kafedjiska, G. Farias Basulto, F. Ruske, N. Maticiuc, T. Bertram, C. A. Kaufmann, R. Schlatmann, I Lauermann
Summary: We propose monolithic copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (Cu(In,Ga)Se-2, CIGSe)-perovskite tandem solar cells with NiOx:Cu as a hole-transporting layer (HTL) transferred in air or N-2. The tandem with N-2-transferred NiOx:Cu + SAM achieves a champion efficiency of 23.2%, V-oc of 1.69 V, and FF of 78.3%. Air-transferred NiOx:Cu + SAM samples exhibit V-oc and FF losses, while those without SAM have heavy shunts. Exposure to air leads to loss in Ni2+ species, changes in NiOx:Cu's work function and valence band maxima, negatively impacting the tandems' V-oc and FF. Various morphological defects are detected in tandems with poor performance, originating from defects in the bottom CIGSe cell or cracking/delaminating of the perovskite top cell. The NiOx:Cu + SAM HTL bi-layer can decouple the growth of the top device from the rough, defect-rich and defect-tolerant bottom device, enabling high-performing devices.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Ruiz-Perona, Yudania Sanchez, Maxim Guc, Tim Kodalle, Marcel Placidi, Jose Manuel Merino, Fatima Cabello, Marina Garcia-Pardo, Maximo Leon, Raquel Caballero
Summary: Increasing the annealing temperature of CZGSe thin films to 525 degrees Celsius improves the performance of solar cell devices, leading to more uniform element distribution, larger grain size, and reduced presence of secondary phases. This strategy enhances the J-V characteristics and spectral response of the devices, resulting in enhanced overall device performance.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-MATERIALS
(2021)
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)
