Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ramy El-Bashar, Mohamed Hussein, Salem F. Hegazy, Yehia Badr, B. M. A. Rahman, Kenneth T. Grattan, Mohamed Farhat O. Hameed, Salah S. A. Obayya
Summary: The electrical characteristics of quad-crescent-shaped silicon nanowire solar cells were analyzed numerically to optimize performance, resulting in increased optical absorption and power conversion efficiency. The core-shell junction design showed an improvement of approximately 80% in conversion efficiency due to the high back surface field layer, with minimal impact from nanowire surface recombination compared to the axial junction.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Avritti Srivastava, Deepak Sharma, Premshila Kumari, Mrinal Dutta, Sanjay K. Srivastava
Summary: The study reports the development of highly efficient PEDOT:PSS/Si hybrid solar cells on commercially purchased cut, low-cost solar-grade thin silicon wafers via a simple one-step aqueous KOH process, which reduces surface reflectivity and eliminates surface damages, improving interface properties and enhancing photoconversion efficiency.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianguo Sun, Bin Li, Long Hu, Junjun Guo, Xufeng Ling, Xuliang Zhang, Chi Zhang, Xianxin Wu, Hehe Huang, Chenxu Han, Xinfeng Liu, Youyong Li, Shujuan Huang, Tom Wu, Jianyu Yuan, Wanli Ma
Summary: Solution processable semiconductors like organics and emerging lead halide perovskites (LHPs) are ideal candidates for photovoltaics. This study investigates a novel device architecture involving block copolymer/perovskite hybrid bulk heterointerfaces, which enhances light absorption, energy level cascade, and provides a thin hydrophobic layer to improve carrier generation and prevent moisture invasion. The resulting hybrid solar cell exhibits high efficiency and stability, and the approach can be extended to other LHPs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nian Cheng, Zhen Liu, Zhen Yu, Weiwei Li, Zhiqiang Zhao, Zhenyu Xiao, Bao Lei, Shujie Sun, Wei Zi
Summary: The KCl modified PEDOT:PSS film enhances the performance of inverted perovskite solar cells by promoting crystallization, enlarging crystals, and effectively passivating defects, leading to a significant increase in power conversion efficiency.
ORGANIC ELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiuyao Du, Jifeng Yuan, Hui Wang, Fei Huang, Jianjun Tian
Summary: A facile method using potassium hydroxide (KOH) to passivate the buried titanium dioxide (TiO2)/perovskite interface has been devised, effectively reducing interface defects and improving the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
K. H. Girish
Summary: Perovskite solar cells have made significant progress in efficiency, but are still hindered by surface defects and stability issues. Passivating surface defects with organic halide salts can increase carrier lifetime and improve charge collection efficiency, enhancing the overall performance of the cells.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ivy M. Asuo, Debika Banerjee, Alain Pignolet, Riad Nechache, Sylvain G. Cloutier
Summary: The hybrid photodetector fabricated with a halide perovskite and silicon nanowire heterojunction shows excellent spectral responsivity, high specific detectivity, fast rise/fall times, and good stability under ambient conditions, offering great potential for future integrated optoelectronic devices.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI-RAPID RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
In Seok Yang, Nam-Gyu Park
Summary: Additive engineering is an efficient approach for improving photovoltaic performance and phase stability of formamidinium-based perovskite, with a dual additive strategy of mixing MACl and CsCl proving successful in enhancing open-circuit voltage Voc, reducing trap density, and increasing resistance against charge recombination. The best power conversion efficiency achieved with the dual additive is 23.22%, outperforming single additive strategies using MACl or CsCl.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Changjo Kim, Irem Kozakci, Junho Kim, Sang Yeon Lee, Jung-Yong Lee
Summary: In this study, a design strategy to improve the performance of silver bismuth disulfide (AgBiS2) nanocrystal/organic hybrid solar cells is proposed by optimizing the energy level structure and charge extraction. By selecting an appropriate hole-transporting layer material and surface treatment method, the power conversion efficiency of the solar cell is increased from 3.3% to 7.1%.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Vaibhav V. Kuruganti, Daniel Wurmbrand, Thomas Buck, Sven Seren, Miro Zeman, Olindo Isabella, Fabian Geml, Heiko Plagwitz, Barbara Terheiden, Valentin D. Mihailetchi
Summary: Although interdigitated back contact (IBC) architecture produces the most efficient solar cells, it is challenging to make them cost-effective and industrially viable. Single-sided atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) is investigated as a potential method for fabricating IBC solar cells due to its advantages of reducing thermal budget, simplifying wet bench processing, and eliminating the need for an additional masking layer. Experimental results showed that a full APCVD IBC solar cell achieved a high conversion efficiency of 22.8%, comparable to commercially available full-tube diffused ZEBRA (R) IBC solar cells.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Munia Ferdoushi, Sumaiya Wahid, Md Kawsar Alam
Summary: In this study, we report the design, optimization, and performance analysis of three axial junction nanowire solar cells based on CdTe, CIGS, and CZTS. These nanowire solar cells show significant improvements in their optical and electrical characteristics compared to planar counterparts. The incorporation of a forward scatterer on top of the front contact further enhances the performance of these nanowire solar cells, leading to increased absorption and improved power conversion efficiency.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fengyou Wang, Meifang Yang, Yuhong Zhang, Jinyue Du, Shuo Yang, Lili Yang, Lin Fan, Yingrui Sui, Yunfei Sun, Jinghai Yang
Summary: The study presents a facile passivation model utilizing a multi-functional organic molecule for surface modification of perovskite solar cells, reducing trap states density, improving interface charge transfer, enhancing device performance, and promoting humidity stability.
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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jeonghwan Park, Kangmin Lee, Kwanyong Seo
Summary: In this study, an effective chemical treatment method was proposed to remove nanoscale surface damage from c-Si microholes in photovoltaics, achieving both transparency and high power conversion efficiency.
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lei Gao, Yuanyuan Zhao, Yijie Chang, Kuidong Gao, Qiurui Wang, Qiang Zhang, Qunwei Tang
Summary: The introduction of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) delays the crystallization of PbBr2 and improves the quality of PbBr2 films, resulting in reduced defect density and strain relaxation in CsPbBr3 films. The optimized DMSO-based device achieves a high efficiency of 10.11% and excellent stability under harsh conditions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qingyao Zhang, Yusheng Wang, Zhouhui Xia, Xiang Li, Beibei Shao, Zengfeng Di, Tao Song, Tao Wang, Baoquan Sun
Summary: This study developed a simple method to achieve various structural sRGB colors on silicon substrates, allowing for easy color adjustment by tuning the etching time. Optical simulation revealed the mechanism of color generation.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI-RAPID RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dong Liang, Chong Dong, Lei Cai, Zhenhuang Su, Jiaqing Zang, Chenyue Wang, Xuechun Wang, Yatao Zou, Yajuan Li, Li Chen, Liujiang Zhang, Zhiwei Hong, Abdelhamid El-Shaer, Zhao-Kui Wang, Xingyu Gao, Baoquan Sun
Summary: GIWAXS was used to investigate the crystal orientation of quasi-2D perovskites during film fabrication process, revealing the impact of intermediate phases on crystalline growth and proposing a strategy of using simple additives to suppress their formation. This approach led to the successful fabrication of high-oriented quasi-2D perovskite solar cells with improved performance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yatao Zou, Pengpeng Teng, Weidong Xu, Guanhaojie Zheng, Weihua Lin, Jun Yin, Libor Kobera, Sabina Abbrent, Xiangchun Li, Julian A. Steele, Eduardo Solano, Maarten B. J. Roeffaers, Jun Li, Lei Cai, Chaoyang Kuang, Ivan G. Scheblykin, Jiri Brus, Kaibo Zheng, Ying Yang, Omar F. Mohammed, Osman M. Bakr, Tonu Pullerits, Sai Bai, Baoquan Sun, Feng Gao
Summary: The chelate effect plays a critical role in controlling the crystallization dynamics of perovskite emitters and mitigating trap-mediated non-radiative losses, enhancing the coordination affinity and ultimately improving the efficiency of perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs).
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lei Cai, Jungui Zhou, Guilin Bai, Jiaqing Zang, Abdelhamid El-Shaer, Tao Song, Man-Keung Fung, Baoquan Sun
Summary: Strategies have been developed to suppress the microcavity effect in transparent and top-emitting PeLEDs by enhancing electrode transmission and extending the optical cavity length. A record high total external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 16.1% in a transparent PeLED with Lambertian emission was achieved by depositing high refractive index molybdenum oxide on the semitransparent cathode. Additionally, a high EQE of 13.6% was achieved in a top-emitting device with quasi-Lambertian emission by increasing the optical distance between reflective layers and enhancing electrode transmission. The nanopatterned structure effectively suppressed waveguide mode and surface plasmon polariton dilapidation in top-emitting PeLEDs, paving the way for potential applications in both traditional and novel transparent displays.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chang Shu, Nan Zhang, Yiyuan Gao, Junru An, Xin Wen, Wanli Ma, Zeke Liu, Baoquan Sun, Shaojuan Li
Summary: There is an increasing need for multifunctional sensors that can detect radiation, biological activity, gas, etc. for efficient health monitoring, neurological medical devices, and human-machine interfaces in recent years. Herein, we demonstrated a multifunctional Sn-doped In2O3 nanocrystal (ITO NC) based device for UV/IR dual-band photodetection and light-activated efficient NO2 gas sensing at RT. The ITO NCs capped with EDT show a high responsivity and detectivity under UV/IR illumination at RT. The sensors also have the potential to monitor low concentrations of NO2 activated by light illumination.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yanfei Wu, Beibei Shao, Zheheng Song, Yajuan Li, Yatao Zou, Xin Chen, Jiangtao Di, Tao Song, Yusheng Wang, Baoquan Sun
Summary: Moisture-triggered electricity generator (MEG) is a promising candidate for renewable power demand, but its performance is strongly affected by moisture concentration. In this study, a Janus heterojunction MEG device is proposed to harvest ambient moisture and deliver stable electrical output. The device achieves record values of open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, and output power density under ambient conditions. The findings provide insights into the design and working mechanism of MEG, which are important for efficient electricity conversion from atmospheric moisture.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kun Gao, Qunyu Bi, Xinyu Wang, Wenzhu Liu, Chunfang Xing, Kun Li, Dacheng Xu, Zhaojun Su, Cheng Zhang, Jian Yu, Dongdong Li, Baoquan Sun, James Bullock, Xiaohong Zhang, Xinbo Yang
Summary: This article reviews the fundamentals and development status of dopant-free passivating contacts (DFPCs) based on metal compounds, and discusses the challenges and potential solutions for enhancing carrier selectivity. By adjusting the carrier concentration and work function of the metal compound, high power conversion efficiencies over 26% can be achieved for c-Si solar cells with DFPCs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guilin Bai, Yatao Zou, Ya Li, Lei Cai, Botong Chen, Jiaqing Zang, Zhiwei Hong, Jiangyu Chen, Zhewei Chen, Steffen Duhm, Tao Song, Baoquan Sun
Summary: The use of zinc oxide as the charge transport layers in perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) can lead to photoluminescence quenching. The quenching mechanism was found to be related to the deprotonation of ammonium cations on the ZnO film, which is influenced by the crystal orientation of the ZnO surface. By incorporating atomic layer deposited Al2O3 onto the ZnO film, the photoluminescence quenching was suppressed, and a highly efficient inverted PeLED was achieved.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jiaqing Zang, Lei Cai, Yatao Zou, Ya Li, Guilin Bai, Zhiwei Hong, Zhewei Chen, Conghui Jiang, Yuhang Song, Xuelian Zeng, Tao Song, Baoquan Sun
Summary: In this study, a self-healing strategy was proposed to achieve flexible perovskite films with improved mechanical reliability and optoelectrical properties. By incorporating a multi-functional silane molecule into a perovskite precursor, a flexible Si-O-Si network was generated within the perovskite films through an in situ cross-linking process. The reversible hydrolysis and condensation reactions and the fluorinated alkyl chains endowed the perovskite films with self-healing capability, resulting in high-efficiency flexible PeLEDs.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Beibei Shao, Yanfei Wu, Zheheng Song, Haiwei Yang, Xin Chen, Yatao Zou, Jiaqing Zang, Fan Yang, Tao Song, Yusheng Wang, Mingwang Shao, Baoquan Sun
Summary: This study presents a highly flexible and efficient evaporation-induced electricity generator that utilizes capillary flow inside silicon nanowires mesh to produce power. The generator achieves high open-circuit voltage and power density compared to similar devices. The study also investigates the mechanisms behind power generation.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chenyang Zhang, Mingxu Wang, Conghui Jiang, Peizhi Zhu, Baoquan Sun, Qiang Gao, Chunxia Gao, Ruiyuan Liu
Summary: In this study, a hybrid conductive hydrogel consisting of PGA and PEDOT:PSS was developed, which exhibited good biocompatibility, flexibility, and conductivity. The hydrogel showed adhesive performance and self-healing abilities due to multiple hydrogen bonding interactions.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Y. C. Liu, T. W. Xu, B. Q. Sun, B. J. Lv, H. Wang
Summary: Composite coatings with variable Sr contents were prepared on the surface of Ti13Nb13Zr alloy using microarc oxidation and hydrothermal treatment. The coatings exhibited rod-like HA/Sr-HA crystals and showed good hydrophilicity. The coatings with different Sr contents had varying degrees of apatite coverage, with the 40-Sr sample having the best coverage. Sr addition improved the apatite induction ability of the coatings, but the effect was limited and decreased when Sr doping exceeded 70%.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Can Ge, Zheheng Song, Yu Yuan, Beibei Song, Song Ren, Wei Wei, Haoyue Zhao, Baoquan Sun, Jian Fang
Summary: A hydrogel made from conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS is used as a photothermal material, which reduces energy consumption during water molecule evaporation. The hydrogel achieves high evaporation rate and efficiency, and maintains good performance after long-term desalination.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhiwei Hong, Yatao Zou, Yajuan Li, Lei Cai, Zhewei Chen, Jiaqing Zang, Guilin Bai, Ya Li, Jiangyu Chen, Yanfei Wu, Conghui Jiang, Tao Song, Baoquan Sun
Summary: A ligand exchange strategy is developed to improve the solvent-resistance and charge transporting ability of quantum dot films, enabling the fabrication of high-efficiency white quantum dot light-emitting diodes.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xin Chen, Conghui Jiang, Yuhang Song, Beibei Shao, Yanfei Wu, Zheheng Song, Tao Song, Yusheng Wang, Baoquan Sun
Summary: This research proposes an integrated device that can collect energy from both impinging water droplets and evaporation to generate electricity. The device utilizes a Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) to convert water droplets into electrical power and a hydrovoltaic device (HD) to harvest energy from water evaporation. By using microstructures and specific materials, the energy output is greatly increased, providing an alternative way to efficiently harness water energy.
