Abstract
Commercial solar cells have a power conversion efficiency (PCE) in the range of 10–22% with different light absorbers. Graphene, with demonstrated unique structural, physical, and electrical properties, is expected to bring the positive effects on the development of thin film solar cells. Investigations have been carried out to understand whether graphene can be used as a front and back contacts and active interfacial layer in solar cell fabrication. In this review, the current progress of this research is analyzed, starting from the graphene and graphene-based Schottky diode. Also, the discussion was focused on the progress of graphene-incorporated thin film solar cells that were fabricated with different light absorbers, in particular, the synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of devices. The effect of doping and layer thickness of graphene on PCE was also included. Currently, the PCE of graphene-incorporated bulk-heterojunction devices have enhanced in the range of 0.5–3%. However, device durability and cost-effectiveness are also the challenging factors for commercial production of graphene-incorporated solar cells. In addition to the application of graphene, graphene oxides have been also used in perovskite solar cells. The current needs and likely future investigations for graphene-incorporated solar cells are also discussed.
Highlights
Graphene has attracted a great deal of attention in connection with nanotechnology since 2004 [1].A perfect graphene sheet is only one-atom thick
We focused on the application of graphene on most commonly used thin-film PVs, on the application of graphene on most commonly used thin-film PVs, with discussions on research with discussions on research advancement and the impact of graphene on those thin film PVs
The graphene incorporation brought surface passivation at perovskite/Spiro-OMeTAD interface due to the excellent carrier separation capability of graphene. Their best device had an efficiency of 18.7%, which is by far the best performance among all the graphene-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs)
Summary
Graphene has attracted a great deal of attention in connection with nanotechnology since 2004 [1]. A perfect graphene sheet is only one-atom thick. The atom-layer structure leads to a large surface area and great flexibility of graphene sheets. The mainstream of graphene synthesis is still through the CVD method, which is popular in both academia and industries. Lab-scale thin perovskite [24,25], and FeS2 [26] have been demonstrated with great potential. On considering the high transparency, high carrier mobility, and conductivity, graphene has the high transparency, high carrier mobility, and conductivity, graphene has been tried as both contacts been tried as both contacts and interface layers in almost all kinds of PVs (e.g., Si, thin film, organic).
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