Conventional Silicon Solar Cells Research Articles

Recent Advances and Challenges in Light Conversion Phosphor Materials for Third-Generation Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Photovoltaics

Photovoltaic (PV) technologies have received tremendous attention for producing clean and renewable energy from the Sun. Third-generation quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) present promising alternatives to conventional silicon solar cells due to their unique properties such as simplicity in fabrication, lower processing temperature, high flexibility, semitransparent nature, and a theoretical conversion efficiency of up to 44%. However, the light-harvesting QD materials used in these SCs allow for the absorption of a small portion (from 300 to 800 nm) of the solar spectrum due to their narrow band gap. The nonabsorption of UV and near-infrared (NIR) light limits the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of these SCs. Hence, a PV technique that efficiently uses the entire solar spectrum becomes essential. The incorporation of light conversion phosphor materials (LCs) in QDSCs is a promising technology to absorb the whole part of the solar spectrum and enhance the PCE of these SCs. This review presents an overview of the advantages and limitations of QDSCs, different types of lanthanide-based light conversion phosphor materials, their synthesis and light conversion mechanism, and their influence on QDSCs.

Design and analysis of multi-layer silicon nanoparticle solar cells

We investigate the concept of nanoparticle-based solar cells composed of a silicon nanoparticle stack as a light trapping absorber for ultrathin photovoltaics. We study the potential of using these inherently nanotextured structures in enhancing the light absorption. For this, a detailed optical analysis is performed on dependency of the cell response to parameters such as the number of particle layers, lattice structure and angle of incidence; Optical response of these cells are then compared with the results in conventional silicon solar cells. Moreover, we propose various configurations to apply these submicron particles as a p–n junction solar cell. We also compute the electrical performance of selected configurations. In doing so, key issues including the effect of contact points between nanoparticles and impact of loss are addressed. In the end, we show how mathrm{SiO}_2 nanoparticles on top of the cell structure can enhance the photocurrent. The appropriate range of mathrm{SiO}_2 particle size is also obtained for the typical cell structures.

Model‐Chain Validation for Estimating the Energy Yield of Bifacial Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells

The power conversion efficiency of conventional silicon solar cells approaches its theoretical limit. Bifacial operation and the perovskite/silicon tandem device architecture are promising approaches for increasing the energy yield of photovoltaic modules. Here, an energy yield calculation tool for (bifacial) perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells is presented. It uses a chain of models for irradiance, optical absorption, and temperature‐dependent electrical performance. Each step is validated with irradiance and performance data from a rooftop installation with mono‐ and bifacial silicon solar cells in Jerusalem, Israel. Selecting the data for two days (one in summer, one in winter) and considering the high‐reflective ground of this particular installation (albedo 60%) a 20% increased energy yield for a bifacial module with respect to a monofacial module is modeled. This result matches well with experimental data. When “upgrading” the silicon solar cell to a perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell, the case study predicts up to 40% additional energy yield. Combining the concepts of bifacial solar operation and perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells results in up to 60% increased energy with a high albedo ground, and is therefore a promising approach to further decrease the levelized cost of electricity for photovoltaic electricity generation.

Simulation and analysis of lead-free perovskite solar cells incorporating cerium oxide as electron transporting layer.

The great demand for renewable energy has greatly contributed to the development of the solar cell industry. Recently, silicon solar cells have dominated the world market. The ease of processing gives perovskite solar cells (PSCs) an advantage over conventional silicon solar cells. Regular silicon photovoltaics require expensive, multi-step processes accomplished in a specialized ultraclean-chamber facility at an elevated temperature (>1000 °C) and highly vacuumed workspace. Hence, researchers and the solar cell industry have focused on PSC as a great rival to silicon solar cells. Despite this, the highest efficiency was obtained from lead-based PSC, which has a considerably high toxicity issue and low stability related to lead content, so the research field pays attention to lead-free perovskite solar cells. In this digital simulation, tin-based perovskite in this paper, methylammonium tin iodide (MASnI3) with the use of cerium oxide (CeO x ) as an electron transporting layer (ETL) with varying percentages of oxygen, which means different shallow donor densities (ND). The optimum value for the thickness of the absorber layer (perovskite) was made, and the current-voltage characteristics and efficiency calculations were also accomplished for the best cell. Then an improvement was made by changing the ND value of CeO x , and the best-optimized cell parameters were: open circuit voltage (V OC) of 0.92 V, short circuit current density (J SC) of 30.79 mA cm-2, power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.77%, and fill factor (FF) of 62.86%.

Liq interlayer as electron extraction layer for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

Halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained enormous attention due to their favorable features such as bandgap tunability, considerable free carrier diffusion length, low-cost fabrication, and comparable efficiency to that of conventional silicon solar cells. Among several PSCs' structures, the inverted structure is the most suitable candidate for diverse portable applications since they can take advantage of the previously developed organic solar cells' structure. However, the single transporting layer system of the inverted-structured PSCs makes it challenging to achieve high efficiency and operational stability. Here, we introduce a unique transporting layer system that adopts 8-hydroxyquinolinolato-lithium (Liq) as a buffer layer at the interface between [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC70BM) and Ag electrode. By introducing the Liq, we effectively decreased the potential energy barrier and iodide accumulation at the interface between PC70BM and Ag electrode, which resulted in an efficient and stable PSC. In the optimized structure, the power conversion efficiency and stability (T80) increased from 9.5% and 100 h to 10.13% and 200 h, respectively.

Review on the Revolution of Polymer Electrolytes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a suitable replacement for conventional silicon solar cells due to their unique features, such as high energy conversion efficiency and cheap manufacturing cost. The liquid-state DSSCs, however, are poorly sustainable on a long-term basis because volatile liquids are used. The early intention of incorporating polymer into the liquid electrolytes was to curb the problem encountered by liquid electrolytes and enable the DSSCs to function as a long-term stability device. This work briefly reviews how the improvisation has been done on the polymer electrolytes formulation and the extent of how each element can affect the cell efficiency and long-term stability. The role of each component, such as the type of host polymer, iodide salts, nanoparticles, and organic additives that improve the performance of DSSCs, has also been highlighted. This clarified the main purpose of introducing various types of additives into electrolytes to enhance the transport properties as well as the performance of the DSSCs.

A comprehensive review of dye-sensitized solar cell optimal fabrication conditions, natural dye selection, and application-based future perspectives.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) constructed using natural dyes possess irreplaceable advantages in energy applications. The main reasons are its performance, environmentally benign dyes, impressible performance in low light, ecologically friendly energy production, and versatile solar product integration. Though DSSCs using natural dyes as sensitizers have many advantages, they suffer from poor efficiency compared to conventional silicon solar cells. Moreover, the difficulty in converting them to practical devices for the day-to-day energy needs has to be addressed. This review will outline the optimization of conditions to be followed for better efficiency in DSSCs using natural dyes as sensitizers. This review has taken into account the importance of the first step towards the fabrication of DSSC, i.e. the selection process. The selection of plant parts has a noticeable impact on the overall efficiency of the device. Accordingly, a proper study has been done to analyse the plant's parts that have shown better results in terms of device efficiency. In addition to this, a wide range of techniques and factors such as extraction methods, the solvent used, coating techniques, immersing time, and co-sensitization have been taken into consideration from the studies done over the period of 10years to examine their influence on the overall performance of the DSSC device. These results have been addressed to stipulate the best suitable condition that will help supplement the efficiency of the device even further. Also, the future perspectives, such as the DSSCs use inwearable devices, incorporating various approaches to enhance the power conversion efficiency of DSSCs using natural dyes, andthermochromism ability for DSSCshave been discussed.

Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Lead-Free Perovskites:A Review

Perovskites are the materials or compounds having a structure similar to calcium titanium oxide (CaTiO3). These materials possess the basic structure of ABX3, in which A & B are the cations with +1 and +2 electron vacancy and X is an anion which may be either halogen or oxygen. Perovskites are chiefly being used in solar cells in the photo absorbing layer for solar to electrical energy conversion with relatively high efficiencies, besides their use in LEDs, photodetectors, X-ray detectors, lasers etc. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of Perovskite solar cell (PSC) has increased from 10% in the year 2012 to 29.1% in 2020 and are promising to cross the theoretical maximum (Shockley-Queisser) limit of 33% for conventional silicon solar cells, besides having great thermal and mechanical stability values. Toxicity due to the presence of lead and associated instability of PSCs have led to the intensive research in lead-free perovskite solar cells (LF-PSCs). In this review article we have tried to explore the current status of synthesis, properties and applications of perovskites in PSCs,particularly lead-free perovskites, and will suggest future prospects in this widely attracted field of non-conventional energy generation.

Design and simulation of 3D perovskite solar cells based on titanium dioxide nanowires to achieve high-efficiency

The advantages of perovskite solar cells over other photovoltaic technologies in recent years lead many works to improve the efficiency of these solar cells. The short circuit current density of perovskite solar cells can be improved using 3D structures. The structure that we present is consists of a perovskite layer on a nanowire metal oxide scaffold layer. The morphology of these layers is determined by using a 3D structure algorithm. In this paper, we simulated perovskite solar cells based on the TiO2 nanowire scaffold layer, which acts as an electron transport layer and a 3D scaffold layer, by using FDTD and FE simulation methods. These methods are respectively used for optical and electrical simulations. According to our simulation results and with our proposed and optimized structure, the maximum power conversion efficiency that we have reached is 18.9%. We ignored some practical limitations to achieve this efficiency. The Period and height of nanowires for this structure are 100 nm and 400 nm respectively. All these dimensions are determined by reviewing the practical papers, so these dimensions can be applied in practical cases. Also in this study, when we apply all recombinations and practical limits, we achieved 14.7% PCE that showed 61% improvement than conventional flat structure perovskite solar cells. Both of these power conversion efficiencies that we achieved can compete against conventional silicon solar cells. Because producing these perovskite solar cells with metal oxide nanowires especially TiO2 is much more affordable and convenient than conventional silicon solar cells.

Materials and Methods for High‐Efficiency Perovskite Solar Modules

Beginning with the breakthrough of solid‐state perovskite‐sensitized solar cells in 2012, the number of studies on photovoltaic devices based on halide perovskite materials has exploded. As of 2021, the certificated record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of small‐area perovskite solar cells (≈0.1 cm2 active area) is 25.5%, making them very competitive with conventional silicon solar cells (26.7%) in terms of efficiency. For commercialization and large‐scale manufacturing purposes, it is necessary to develop high‐efficiency large‐area perovskite photovoltaics with minimal PCE loss. Herein, the recent progress of perovskite solar modules (PSMs) is reviewed and a research direction toward high‐efficiency PSMs is proposed. It is important to carefully examine the materials and methods used for development of high‐efficiency scalable perovskite solar cells and modules as the uniformity and quality of large‐area perovskite film significantly affect the PCE, more so than in small‐area devices. Precursor, additive, and interface engineering are described as well as various coating methodologies for suitable PSMs. Engineering of uniform, pinhole‐free, and high‐quality large‐area perovskite films can contribute to high‐efficiency PSMs and pave the way for commercialization. The technologies used for materials and method engineering for high‐efficiency PSMs are discussed, with an eye toward commercialization.

Distributed silicon nanoparticles: an efficient light trapping platform toward ultrathin-film photovoltaics.

In this paper, a new architecture comprising silicon nanoparticles inside a hole transport layer laid on a thin silicon layer is proposed to develop ultrathin film solar cells. Using generalized Mie theory, a fast analytical approach is developed to evaluate the optical absorption of the proposed structure for various geometries, polarizations and angles of incidence. The analytical results are verified through comparison with full-wave simulations, illustrating a reasonable agreement. The electrical performance of a distributed silicon nanoparticle solar cell is determined for selected configurations. To be able to predict the light-trapping in a solar cell comprising randomly distributed nanospheres, a new technique based on probability theory is developed and validated through comparison with the simulation results. Both analytical and numerical results show that the excited Mie resonant modes in the proposed structure lead to a significant enhancement in both absorption and the photo-generated current, in comparison to a conventional silicon solar cell with an equivalent volume of the active layer. In the case of random distributions, other advantages, including the simple fabrication process, indicate that the cell is a promising structure for ultrathin photovoltaics.

Effect of 2D perovskite layer and multivalent defect on the performance of 3D/2D bilayered perovskite solar cells through computational simulation studies

Three-dimensional (3D) metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have a power conversion efficiency that is now comparable with conventional silicon solar cells. For PSC applications to succeed in the market, long-term reliability under open-air conditions is essential. Recent experiments have shown that two-dimensional (2D) perovskites seem to exhibit good stability due to the presence of hydrophobic organic spacers, but 2D PSCs are incapable of generating and transporting a large amount of charge due to their extended optical bandgaps. Mixed dimensional perovskites with dimension lies between 2D and 3D recently became a promising candidate to sustain long-term stability and high performances concurrently to address this obstacle. The current research article presents the finding of simulation-based studies performed on novel device architecture consisting of ITO/Nb-Ti2O3/3D Perovskite/2D Perovskite/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au. Using optical simulation features of SCAPS, absorption of light is computed in the proposed device. The computational results show that the thickness of the 2D perovskite layer badly affects the solar cell parameters. A thin 2D perovskite behaves as a capped coating that avoids the deterioration of 3D perovskite in open-air environments. The effect of a multivalent defect in the 3D perovskite layer is mathematically modelled, and their impact on overall performance parameters are analyzed. The findings are compared to the same configuration results, except where the absorber layer’s multivalent defect has been substituted by a neutral defect of the same defect density of about (1011 cm−3). Results show that the multivalent defect leads to an underestimation of the efficiency by 4.2%.

Interphase Dynamics of photoanode in Micro-energy generation in Photovoltaics

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs)as photovoltaics have been subject of intensive research in the last two decades owing to their outstanding features of relative thermal stability, low cost, optical tunability, ability to operate under conditions of poor lighting, and environment friendliness as such, they offer a promising substitute for conventional monocrystalline silicon solar cells. Their poor output efficiency has been incessantly associated with grain boundaries, good quality films are associated with lower recombination decays. and it has been claimed that grain boundaries have a negligible influence on performance. We used microscopy interrelated with scanning electron microscopy to resolve spatially the recombination dynamics from organic films of Murraya Koenigii. Stoichiometric organic films, varied in different grains even for the same film. In regions where grain boundaries were dimmer, nonradiative decay occurred faster. Ultraviolet spectroscopy showed positive correlation consistent with photon absorption and regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The photovoltaic efficiency of M.Koenigii DSCs based on TiO2 sensitized with ionic electrolytes was compared. The output efficiency revealed that the ionic potential of Br-was more than 200% value of Cl-, and a final end reaction of above 100% that of I-under similar conditions of atmosphere and experimental set-up.

Impact of drying temperature on the photovoltaic performance and impedance spectra of hole transport material free air processed perovskite solar cells

Due to the rapid increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and exceeding the PCE achieved in conventional single-junction silicon solar cells this technology has become the focus of research. The quality of perovskite film plays a vital role in developing the high performance PSCs and depends upon many factors, such as, composition of the perovskite, growth method, drying temperature, etc. In this work, hole transport material free (HTM-free) glass/FTO/c-TiO2/m-TiO2/m-ZrO2/Carbon electrode based PSCs are fabricated. Effect of prevoskite drying temperature on the photovoltaic performance and impedance spectra of these devices is studied by varying temperature from 50 to 70 °C. The photovoltaic and impedance spectra of the devices are observed to be highly dependent on the drying temperature. The best power conversion efficiency is obtained for drying temperature of 60 °C. These results show that determining the optimum drying temperature is crucial to ensure formation of perovskite crystals, highest surface coverage of perovskite, highest light harvesting and successful charge extraction from the fabricated devices in order to achieve highest performance.

Efficiency enhancement of low-cost metal free dye sensitized solar cells via non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma surface treatment

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are an attractive third-generation photovoltaic technology particularly promising for operation under diffuse and lower light conditions. However, high costs of the precious metals used for sensitizing dyes and low charge generation capability parameters limit the utility of DSSCs in comparison to conventional silicon solar cells. In this study, tin oxide (SnO2) photoelectrodes are treated with non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasmas to enhance photovoltaic performance. The effects of nitrogen and argon plasma surface treatment of photoanodes on the efficiency enhancement of DSSCs are systematically investigated by fabricating solar cells using pristine SnO2 and plasma-treated photoanodes. Solar cells made with Eosin Y sensitized pristine SnO2 photoanode exhibited a short circuit current density (JSC) of 1.03 mA cm−2 and an overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.30% whereas solar cells made with nitrogen plasma treated photoanode exhibited a JSC of 6.20 mA cm−2 and an overall PCE of 1.53% (4 times enhancement) under the same illumination of 100 mW cm−2 (AM 1.5). The efficiency of the solar cells fabricated with Ar plasma treated SnO2 photoanodes also showed an enhanced power conversion efficiency. Further characterizations revealed that the surface plasma treatments increased the surface roughness of the photoanodes. Plasma treatment led to the incorporation of nitrogen species and removal of surface impurities resulting in an increase in dye adsorption in the photoanode and hence the enhancement in the efficiency of the DSSC. This study demonstrated a one-pot treatment method for efficiency enhancement which could be used in various applications such as photovoltaic, catalytic and energy generation applications including DSSCs, thin-film solar cells, perovskite solar cells, gas sensing, bio-sensing, supercapacitors, Li-ion batteries and others.

Computational analysis on the thermal and mechanical properties of thin film solar cells

Solar cells are valuable source of alternative energy that is environmental friendly and involves utilization of a free and abundant natural resource. The revolution of utilization of solar cell materials has undergone huge many changes since the time of its inception. The solar cell material may be classified into first, second and third generations. The first generation include the monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon in the solar cell, whereas the second generation include the thin film photovoltaics as the solar cell materials. The present market in solar cells in greatly divided between these two generations of materials which differ in their price, conversion efficiency as well as their ease of manufacture; all the factors that determines its commercial viability. The third generation solar cells though still in its nascent stage of development shows good promise of improving the future technology drastically. This paper aims to compare the thin film solar cell materials with the conventional mono and polycrystalline silicon solar cells. In this regard a literature survey of the thin film solar cells show that the thermal stresses that develop in them during thermal cycling are significant to cause failure. Hence this work compares the thermal stresses in different thin film solar materials by a finite element analysis using ANSYS software. The thermal heat flux, total deformation, thermal stress and strain were calculated and compared. It was observed that amorphous silicon thin films on glass substrate have the highest thermal heat flux, lowest deformation, thermal stress and strain on the film-substrate interface at elevated temperatures. Amorphous silicon thin films seem to be an alternate to monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon, where the thin film although has lower efficiency has reduced price and increased ease of manufacturing, making it viable for the commercial market.

Direct Synthesis of Graphene on Silicon at Low Temperature for Schottky Junction Solar Cells

Graphene thin films synthesized directly at low temperature (550˚C) on silicon substrate by microwave (MW) surface wave plasma (SWP) chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using the cover on substrates for avoiding plasma emission ultraviolet ray’s effect during film deposition. Analytical methods such as Raman spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), four-point probe method, and JASCO V-570 UV/VIS/NIR spectrophotometer were employed to characterize the properties of the graphene films. Here, we report that it is possible to grow graphene directly on the silicon substrate (without using catalyst) due to the high radical density of MW SWP CVD. Furthermore, we fabricated graphene/silicon Schottky junction solar cells with an efficiency of up to 6.39%. Compared to conventional silicon solar cells, the fabrication process is greatly simplified; just graphene is synthesized directly on n-type crystalline Si substrate at low temperate.

Sm3+/Yb3+ co-doped GeO2-PbO glass for efficiency enhancement of silicon solar cells

Abstract Luminescent properties and energy transfer processes in GeO2-PbO glasses co-doped with Sm3+/Yb3+ were investigated. The concentration of Sm3+ was 1 mol% while the concentration of Yb3+ was 0.2 and 0.5 mol%. Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters Ω λ ( λ = 2,4,6 ) were calculated from absorption spectra of the co-doped glass samples, together with transitions probabilities A j j ′ and radiative lifetimes τ R . Visible and NIR emission spectra were obtained under excitation of wavelengths corresponding to the 6H5/2 →(6P7/2,6P3/2,4I11/2) transitions of Sm3+ resulting in different emission channels from 4G5/2 level energy to lower energy levels. The set of co-doped and undoped glasses were placed on the top of a conventional silicon solar cell and the relative efficiency was studied. Cooperative energy transfer between the Sm3+ ion and Yb3+ ion would probably be responsible for observed enhancement in the energy efficiency of about 10%.

MFe2O4(M=Co, Mn)@MG as an Efficient Counter Electrode for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are considered as low-cost and eco-friendly alternatives for conventional silicon solar cells. Dye-sensitized metal oxide photoelectrode, electrolyte and counter electrode (CE) are the three major components of a DSSC. An ideal CE material should have superior electrocatalytic activity and distinguished conductivity, excellent chemical stability, and low cost. Noble metal Pt CE has an efficient capacity for collecting electrons from external circuits and facilitating the catalytic reduction of I3 - to I-. However, its high cost seriously restricts mass production and commercialization of DSSCs. Therefore, carbon composite materials, inorganic compounds, conducting polymers and their derivatives have been widely explored as CEs in DSSCs.Recently, multiple transition metals and their derivative have been investigated as the CE materials for DSSCs. Theoretically, binary or ternary transition metals display intrinsic electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of I3 - with rapid charge-transfer ability and cost-effectiveness. Thus, transition-metal ferric acid MFe2O4 (M=Mn, Co) composited with modified graphene (MG) is a novel strategy to achieve an advanced CE material with remarkable electrochemical performance. As we all know, graphene microstructure has a lamellar structure. Through a process of catalytic reduction, a curly structure modified graphene not only displays a large specific surface area to facilitate charge transfer and promote catalytic performance during photoelectric conversion, but also the conjugated structure with continuous sp2 hybridized carbon centers can induce electronic mobility.Ferrite is a unique hierarchical nanostructure material mainly composed of transition metal (i.e., Co, Mn, Ni), iron (Fe), and oxygen (O). Transition-metal ions M2+ (M2+ =Mn2+, Co2+) have excellent electrocatalytic capability, and active Fe atoms can synergize with carbon atoms in graphene to significantly improve catalytic activity. This work offers a strategy to apply MFe2O4(M=Mn, Co)@MG composite as the CE of DSSCs to optimize catalytic sites and improve catalytic performance. The device based on the CoFe2O4@MG CE achieves a PCE of 7.78%, and the device based on MnFe2O4@MG CE has a PCE of 5.55%. Moreover, the device was prepared by a simple process with an excellent stability in the air atmosphere without encapsulation (maintaining 93.3% of an initial PCE after 30 days), which can facilitate large-scale production in the future.

A review on power conversion efficiency of lead iodide perovskite-based solar cells

In recent years, lead iodide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained the attention of the researchers due to their high potential to surpass the conventional silicon solar cell. Since lead iodide perovskites have exceptionally high light absorbing capacity, they have been the center point of research for perovskite solar cells. In 2009, the first PSC developed has only 3.8% of power conversion efficiency (PCE) and only in a span of a decade, PCE of 25.2% is achieved. Despite their high PCE, they are still not available for commercial purposes because of their limited life. In this article, we discuss the PSC device configurations developed to achieve higher PCE, the structure of PSC devices, and the stability problem associated with the PSCs which restricts its path for commercial use.