Article
Energy & Fuels
Mengxiao Wang, Guanghong Wang, Wenbo Gong, Shangzhi Cheng, Lei Zhao, Xiaohua Xu, Daoren Gong, Fei Ye, Libin Mo, Hongwei Diao, Wenjing Wang
Summary: Tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) thin films were prepared at low substrate temperature using direct-current magnetron sputtering technology and applied as electrodes for silicon heterojunction solar cells (HJT). The chemical, electrical, and optical properties of ITO films deposited at different sputtering power were investigated. The optimized ITO films were used as electrodes for HJT solar cells, achieving a conversion efficiency of over 25.22%. Additionally, the degradation caused by ITO deposition was analyzed, and it was found that the degradation could be recovered through annealing. Furthermore, the degradation of solar cell efficiency in a dark nitrogen environment was monitored, revealing that the solar cells with the highest average conversion efficiency showed poor stability, primarily due to the degradation of the fill factor.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mengxiao Wang, Guanghong Wang, Mengqi Hu, Lei Zhao, Xiaohua Xu, Jihong Xiao, Daoren Gong, Changyue Yu, Libin Mo, Hongwei Diao, Wenjing Wang
Summary: This study investigated the impact of H2O partial pressure on the properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) films and the performance of heterojunction (HJT) solar cells. As the H2O partial pressure increased, the resistivity of ITO films increased and the effective total transmittance slightly improved. However, HJT solar cells with ITO films deposited at high H2O partial pressure had lower efficiency due to the degradation of fill factor (FF). The maximum efficiency of 25.30% was achieved at low H2O partial pressure. Additionally, the performance of HJT solar cells was tracked under a nitrogen environment without illumination, and it was found that the high efficiency obtained at low H2O partial pressure had larger degradation, mainly derived from FF degradation.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Depeng Qiu, Weiyuan Duan, Andreas Lambertz, Karsten Bittkau, Kaifu Qiu, Uwe Rau, Kaining Ding
Summary: The influence of oxygen flow ratio (f(O2)) and hydrogen flow ratio (f(H2)) on the optoelectronic properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) films was studied, showing that using hydrogen during sputtering can improve film conductivity. Adding a small amount of hydrogen to the sputtering mixture gases can help balance the electrical and optical properties of ITO layers. However, it was observed that hydrogen had a negative effect on the passivation quality of devices with hydrogenated ITO layers, which could be eliminated by increasing pressure.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bertrand Lacroix, Fabien Paumier, Antonio J. Santos, Florian Maudet, Thierry Girardeau, Cyril Dupeyrat, Rafael Garcia, Francisco M. Morales
Summary: In this study, nanostructured ITO thin films were prepared using ion beam sputtering and oblique angle deposition techniques, and the effects of different experimental conditions on the surface texture of the films were investigated. The results demonstrate that the texture engineering of the films can be achieved by controlling the atomic mobility and deposition angle under specific experimental conditions.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ling Hong, Huifeng Yao, Yong Cui, Pengqing Bi, Tao Zhang, Yongxin Cheng, Yunfei Zu, Jinzhao Qin, Runnan Yu, Ziyi Ge, Jianhui Hou
Summary: Establishing an ideal architecture with selective carrier transport and suppressed recombination is crucial for improving photovoltaic efficiency in organic solar cells (OSCs). By tailoring a hybrid planar/bulk structure, highly efficient OSCs with reduced energy losses were fabricated. The study highlights the potential of precisely regulating the structure of donor:acceptor heterojunction to further enhance the efficiencies of OSCs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kassio P. S. Zanoni, Abhyuday Paliwal, M. Angeles Hernandez-Fenollosa, Pierre-Alexis Repecaud, Monica Morales-Masis, Henk J. Bolink
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful direct deposition of indium tin oxide (ITO) films on semitransparent perovskite solar cells using an industrial pulsed laser deposition (PLD) tool, without causing damage to the device stack. By optimizing the morphological, electronic, and optical properties of the PLD deposited ITO films, efficient solar cell performance was achieved.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Simon Hurand, Alan Corvisier, Bertrand Lacroix, Antonio Jesus Santos, Florian Maudet, Cyril Dupeyrat, Rafael Garcia Roja, Francisco Miguel Morales, Thierry Girardeau, Fabien Paumier
Summary: This paper investigates the anisotropic optical properties of nanometer-scale structured thin films by combining Mueller matrix spectroscopic ellipsometry and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The study finds that, in the visible-near infrared range, the films exhibit a ripple-like structure with higher optical index perpendicular to the slanting plane. In the infrared range, the films deposited with xenon show strong optical anisotropy due to the anisotropic free-carrier scattering within the nanoscopic sub-columnar structure.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Frank Meyer, Arnaud Savoy, Juan J. Diaz Leon, Marc Persoz, Xavier Niquille, Christophe Allebe, Sylvain Nicolay, Franz-Josef Haug, Andrea Ingenito, Christophe Ballif
Summary: This paper presents an electron selective passivating contact metallised with a low temperature process for front side applications in crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells. The contact structure includes an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer and a hydrogen rich silicon nitride (SiNx: H) layer, aiming to improve the performance of solar cells through low-temperature treatment.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hae-Jun Seok, Jung-Min Park, Shuai Lan, Han-Ki Kim
Summary: This study developed a composition-engineered indium tin oxide (CE-ITO) transparent front electrode that outperforms commercial ITO (C-ITO) for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The CE-ITO electrode has superior properties, such as a smoother surface, higher conductivity, lower resistivity, and improved optical transmittance, contributing to larger perovskite active- and electron-transport layers, less active-layer degradation, and lower shunt resistance. This enables high-performance PSCs with a maximum power conversion efficiency of 23.35% and long-term stability.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Walter, Jun Peng, Klaus Weber, Kylie R. Catchpole, Thomas P. White
Summary: This study discusses the impact of transparent conductive oxides on power loss in perovskite solar cells. It reveals that these oxides play a critical role across the transport layer-perovskite interface, causing significant in situ resistance which can reduce fill factor considerably.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wissal Belayachi, Gerald Ferblantier, Thomas Fix, Guy Schmerber, Jean-Luc Rehspringer, Thomas Heiser, Abdelilah Slaoui, Mohammed Abd-Lefdil, Aziz Dinia
Summary: Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are essential for solar cells, and tin dioxide (SnO2) films, with their rich sources, low cost, and non-toxicity, are potential substitutes for the commonly used indium-doped tin oxide (ITO). SnO2 films deposited using radio frequency (RF)-magnetron sputtering exhibit high visible-light transmittance and excellent electrical properties, making them suitable for organic solar cells (OSCs) electrodes. Despite slightly lower power conversion efficiency compared to ITO, SnO2 TCO shows promise as a viable alternative.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dominic Blackburn, Thomas Routledge, Mary O'Kane, Elena J. Cassella, Onkar S. Game, Thomas E. Catley, Christopher J. Wood, Trevor McArdle, David George Lidzey
Summary: Tin oxide (SnOx) electron-extraction layers were fabricated using a reactive electron-beam evaporation process, achieving power conversion efficiencies up to 19.3% in standard perovskite solar cells. The deposition process of SnOx can be done at low temperature and does not require subsequent high-temperature annealing, demonstrating its potential compatibility with roll-to-roll processing on flexible polymeric substrates.
Article
Energy & Fuels
M. L. Addonizio, A. Spadoni, A. Antonaia, I. Usatii, E. Bobeico
Summary: High carrier mobility hydrogen-doped indium oxide (IO:H) layers were developed through a two-step fabrication process, involving deposition by magnetron sputtering and post-deposition annealing to achieve large crystalline domains and excellent carrier mobility values. This process also included exploring different sputtering powers and partial pressures of H2O to optimize the electro-optical properties of the films. Silicon heterojunction cells utilizing IO:H layers showed enhanced performance compared to conventional ITO, with improved short-circuit current density and conversion efficiency.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qi Jiang, Robert Tirawat, Ross A. Kerner, E. Ashley Gaulding, Yeming Xian, Xiaoming Wang, Jimmy M. Newkirk, Yanfa Yan, Joseph J. Berry, Kai Zhu
Summary: Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) show great potential as a low-cost thin-film photovoltaic technology. To ensure their commercialization, it is important to understand their reliability under real-world outdoor conditions. This study demonstrates that indoor accelerated stability tests can predict the performance of PSCs in outdoor environments. The degradation rates under illumination and elevated temperatures are found to be the most informative for assessing device reliability. The study also identifies the interface between indium tin oxide/self-assembled monolayer-based hole transport layer and perovskite layer as a key factor affecting device stability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kiran Sreedhar Ram, Hooman Mehdizadeh-Rad, David Ompong, Daniel Dodzi Yao Setsoafia, Jai Singh
Summary: This paper characterises exciton generation in three types of bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells, finding that the optimum thickness of the active layer affects the rate of exciton generation. Simulated results indicate that the inverted non-fullerene BHJ OSC1 shows better short circuit current density, potentially leading to better photovoltaic performance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
V Pavlenko, S. Kalybekkyzy, D. Knez, Q. Abbas, Z. Mansurov, Zh Bakenov, A. Ng
Summary: Mesopores play a crucial role in enhancing the capacitance of electric double-layer capacitors, especially at low temperatures. By adjusting the diameter of nanoparticles and creating short-range graphene layers, the pore structure of carbon materials can be optimized to facilitate ion movement and increase capacitance.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Erik O. Shalenov, Yeldos S. Seitkozhanov, Constantinos Valagiannopoulos, Annie Ng, Karlygash N. Dzhumagulova, Askhat N. Jumabekov
Summary: The study investigates the device properties of back-contact perovskite solar cells and analyzes the impact of different electrode designs on their photovoltaic properties, revealing differences in handling electronic imperfections.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wei Chen, Yudong Zhu, Jingwei Xiu, Guocong Chen, Haoming Liang, Shunchang Liu, Hansong Xue, Erik Birgersson, Jian Wei Ho, Xinshun Qin, Jingyang Lin, Ruijie Ma, Tao Liu, Yanling He, Alan Man-Ching Ng, Xugang Guo, Zhubing He, He Yan, Aleksandra B. Djurisic, Yi Hou
Summary: Perovskite/organic tandem solar cells have a promising future in thin-film photovoltaics due to the large chemical composition and tunability of their bandgap. However, their efficiency is currently limited by the open-circuit voltage loss and non-ideal interconnecting layers. In this study, the passivation of nickel oxide hole-transporting layers and the development of an optimized interconnecting layer structure led to a significant increase in efficiency, reaching a maximum of 23.60% (22.95% certified) in perovskite/organic tandem solar cells.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yantao Wang, Jingyang Lin, Yanling He, Yi Zhang, Qiong Liang, Fangzhou Liu, Zhiwei Zhou, Christopher C. S. Chan, Gang Li, Shien-Ping Feng, Alan Man Ching Ng, Kam Sing Wong, Jasminka Popovic, Aleksandra B. Djurisic
Summary: This study demonstrates that optimizing the exposure of the capping layer to ambient atmosphere can substantially improve the performance of perovskite solar cells. The best performing devices have improved power conversion efficiency and stability.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wen Ting Sun, Zengshan Xing, Aleksandr Sergeev, Yanling He, Alan Man Ching Ng, Kam Sing Wong, Lidija Molcanov, Jasminka Popovic, Aleksandra B. B. Djurisic
Summary: Investigated the stability of a tin bromide perovskite and found that the optical properties were influenced by humidity rather than the Sn2+/Sn4+ ratio. Increase in luminescence was attributed to the hydrated 1D phase, while degradation occurred after 40 hours of exposure to humidity. Additives extended the lifetime of the samples, which was attributed to changes in phase composition rather than suppression of Sn2+ oxidation.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Dongyang Li, Yulan Huang, Zhiwei Ren, Abbas Amini, Aleksandra B. Djurisic, Chun Cheng, Gang Li
Summary: In recent years, inverted perovskite solar cells (IPSCs) have gained significant attention for their low-temperature and cost-effective fabrication processes, hysteresis-free properties, excellent stability, and wide application. The efficiency gap between IPSCs and regular structures has narrowed down to less than 1%. Recent improvements in the efficiency of IPSCs, including interface engineering and novel film production techniques, are reviewed, along with tandem and integrated applications of IPSCs. Prospects for further development of IPSCs, such as the development of new materials, methods, and device structures, are discussed to meet the requirements of commercialization.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Salman Kiani, Hryhorii P. Parkhomenko, Mayuribala Mangrulkar, Sabina Aigarayeva, Assylan Akhanuly, Erik O. Shalenov, Annie Ng, Askhat N. Jumabekov
Summary: Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have shown great potential for solar energy conversion with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of over 25%. PSCs can be easily scaled-up to an industrial scale due to their lower manufacturing costs and facile processibility via printing techniques. The use of SnO2 quantum dots (QDs) as an alternative dispersion solution for the electron transport layer (ETL) in printed PSCs on flexible substrates significantly improves device performance, reducing trap states and improving charge extraction compared to using SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) dispersion solutions.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shien-Ping Feng, Yuanhang Cheng, Hin-Lap Yip, Yufei Zhong, Patrick W. K. Fong, Gang Li, Annie Ng, Cong Chen, Luigi Angelo Castriotta, Fabio Matteocci, Luigi Vesce, Danila Saranin, Aldo Di Carlo, Puqun Wang, Jian Wei Ho, Yi Hou, Fen Lin, Armin G. Aberle, Zhaoning Song, Yanfa Yan, Xu Chen, Yang (Michael) Yang, Ali Asgher Syed, Ishaq Ahmad, Tiklun Leung, Yantao Wang, JingYang Lin, Alan Man Ching Ng, Yin Li, Firouzeh Ebadi, Wolfgang Tress, Giles Richardson, Chuangye Ge, Hanlin Hu, Masoud Karimipour, Fanny Baumann, Kenedy Tabah, Carlos Pereyra, Sonia R. Raga, Haibing Xie, Monica Lira-Cantu, Mark Khenkin, Iris Visoly-Fisher, Eugene A. Katz, Yana Vaynzof, Rosario Vidal, Guicheng Yu, Haoran Lin, Shuchen Weng, Shifeng Wang, Aleksandra B. Djurisic
Summary: Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are highly promising in terms of power conversion efficiency, but commercialization still faces unresolved problems and obstacles. This article provides a concise summary of outstanding issues, challenges, and progress made in addressing them, offering expert viewpoints across various topics related to PSC commercialization. It aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers in the field and facilitate discussions to overcome the outstanding challenges in this fast-developing area.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Yerassyl Olzhabay, Muhammad N. Hamidi, Dahaman Ishak, Arjuna Marzuki, Annie Ng, Ikechi A. Ukaegbu
Summary: This study evaluates the practical implementation of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) and investigates their potential application in bus stop shelters. The results demonstrate that PSCs can generate sufficient energy to power the shelter even in worst-case scenarios.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wen Ting Sun, Yanling He, Muhammad Umair Ali, Qiye Liu, Hongbo Mo, Sijia Wang, Alan Man Ching Ng, Aleksandra B. Djurisic
Summary: This study investigates the performance improvement of sky-blue perovskite light-emitting diodes through optimization of perovskite composition and device architecture. By adjusting the perovskite composition and inserting a specific layer at the hole transport layer-perovskite interface, significant enhancement in device efficiency is achieved.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Damir Aidarkhanov, Zhuldyz Yelzhanova, Zhiwei Ren, Gaukhar Nigmetova, Shu Ping Lau, Mannix P. Balanay, Hanlin Hu, Charles Surya, Aleksandra B. Djurisic, Annie Ng
Summary: Interfacial engineering using black phosphorus nanoflakes improves the power conversion efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. The nanoflakes optimize critical parameters, such as enhancing perovskite crystallization and reducing defect density, resulting in improved device performance.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yantao Wang, Ishaq Ahmad, Tiklun Leung, Jingyang Lin, Wei Chen, Fangzhou Liu, Alan Man Ching Ng, Yi Zhang, Aleksandra B. Djurisicc
Summary: With the advancement of perovskite solar cells, improving their stability has become increasingly important. This Perspective discusses key factors affecting encapsulation effectiveness for outdoor and damp heat testing, as well as the requirements of the devices themselves. Additionally, it explores possible methods for accelerating encapsulation and device stability testing, and addresses future prospects and important issues.
