Hybrid Solar Cells Research Articles

Numerical study of efficient ternary planar hybrid solar cells using simple boron molecules as organic compounds

Ternary solar cells have proven to be a solution to absorb more photons at different wavelengths and reduce the recombination of charge carriers. Here, we propose a new hybrid organic-inorganic ternary planar solar-cell structure using a novel boron compound. The role of this material on the performance of the device with a polymer/borinate/ZnO configuration is studied. As the donor polymer, we evaluate P3HT, PTB7, and PCPDTBT; and three boron compounds with different properties, especially concerning the bandgap and trap energy depth. To validate the experimental electrical characteristics of the borinates, first, we simulate a bilayer structure with C60, subsequently, we simulate and analyze the whole device architecture. The ternary solar cell with PTB7 and a borinate with a bandgap of 1.66 eV and a medium trap energy depth of 0.95 eV above the HOMO level exhibit the highest efficiency, i. e. 11.7%. Furthermore, we present a layer thickness optimization of the materials to reach even higher efficiencies, up to 15.15%. Finally, the effect of the magnitude of the density of trap states in the borinate on the device performance is analyzed.

N719 dye as a sensitizer for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs): A review of its functions and certain rudimentary principles

AbstractNew technologies need environmental and economic cooperation. Energy consumption is fundamental to human survival, making sustainable development imperative. When discussing energy production, renewable resources such as solar and wind energy are chosen to satisfy future demands. Solar energy is frequently used owing to its availability and several benefits. Though more efficient, silicon solar cells are poisonous and expensive. In comparison to other PV cells, the dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have several benefits, such as easily accessible materials, low‐cost production processes, simple processing and exceptional diffuse light performance. DSSCs are more reliable alternative to many photovoltaic systems, including hybrid solar cells, inorganic, and organic. DSSCs technology characteristically be influenced by on photosensitizer, electrolyte, and the metal oxide semiconductor. Significant enhancement in cell efficiency has been ranges reach to 12%, using Ru (II) dyes by enhancing substantial besides essential characterization. The dye, that is acting as a source of photoexcited electrons, is the most significant component of a DSSC. This brief review highlights and discusses a summary of the ongoing research made to assist optimization under using N719 dye for DSSC devices.

PROGRAM KEMITRAAN MASYARAKAT INOVASI RESERVE ENERGY HYBRID (WIND TURBINE, SOLAR CELL DAN GENERATOR) DI PEMERINTAH DESA TEGAL SAMBI KABUPATEN JEPARA

This service activity aims to assist service partners in optimizing the surrounding natural resources and financial efficiency of village government institutions. In addition, this activity also aims to help the central government in order to reduce the use of fossil fuel electrical energy by maximizing the use of solar and wind heat which is very abundant in the village of Tegalsambi Tahunan Jepara. To realize the purpose and purpose of holding this service activity, the team provided several solutions which include the following things 1) making a hybrid solar cell power plant design that will be placed in the Tegal Sambi village hall as an effort to efficiently use PLN electricity so that it is expected to reduce the cost of electricity use at the village service office. This activity is made with five stages, namely analyzing the needs of energy use, designing solar cell power plants, socialization to village governments and communities, installation and installation of solar cell power plants, as well as assistance in use and maintenance. 2) manufacture and installation of wind power plants (wind turbines) on public street lighting (PJU)

PEDOT:PSS on flexible black silicon for a hybrid solar cell on textured polyimide substrate

This work investigates properties of PEDOT:PSS on flexible black silicon (bSi) for a hybrid solar cell on textured polyimide (PI) substrate. The flexible bSi is formed by thinning down crystalline silicon (cSi) wafers to 65 μm thickness, followed by fabrication of bSi nanowires (NWs) on the wafer surface using one-step metal-catalyzed electroless etching (MCEE) technique. The resulting bSi NWs exhibit an average diameter of around 90–100 nm and length of 900 nm. Then, PEDOT:PSS with a thickness of 150 nm is coated on the flexible cSi and bSi NWs. For texturing of PI, copper-seeding technique is used. The planar and textured PI substrates are then attached to the back of the flexible cSi and bSi. The PEDOT:PSS/flexible bSi on PI substrate shows lower broadband reflection when compared to PEDOT:PSS/flexible cSi. This is due to the presence of bSi NWs on wafer surface which leads to refractive index grading effect. The PEDOT:PSS/flexible bSi solar cell on the textured PI substrate demonstrates conversion efficiency of 2.58%. This is contributed by the increased short-circuit current density (Jsc) in the device (when compared to the device on planar PI), owing to the enhanced light absorption above wavelength of 800 nm.

Brominated Polythiophene Reduces the Efficiency‐Stability‐Cost Gap of Organic and Quantum Dot Hybrid Solar Cells

AbstractThe emerging solution‐processed solar cells have attracted worldwide effort in the last decade. Developing efficient, stable, and cost‐effective solar cells is strongly desirable in countering the growing global warming. Nevertheless, the photovoltaic performance and stability of hybrid solar cells based on low‐cost polythiophenes are far from satisfactory, due to their high‐lying energy levels and excessive aggregation. Herein, it is shown that brominated polythiophene (P3HT‐Br), prepared via a facile two‐step approach can effectively facilitate charge transport and suppress recombination in quantum dot (QD)/organic heterojunctions. Accordingly, the power conversion efficiency of the optimized hybrid polythiophene/QD cell is boosted from 8.7% to 11% (a 26% increase) with markedly reduced energy loss. More strikingly, the device achieves record‐high thermal stability with a lifetime of over 400 h maintaining 80% of the initial performance. Both device efficiency and stability are the best reported for polythiophene/QD hybrid solar cells. Moving forward, brominated polythiophenes hold great application in perovskite solar cells with significantly improved performance and offer new opportunities for other emerging solar cells.

GaAs nanocone array-based hybrid solar cells with excellent light-trapping capabilities and enhanced photogeneration rate

III–V semiconductor nanostructures with subwavelength scale dimensions have demonstrated outstanding photon trapping and carrier transport characteristics, and may be coupled readily with organic polymers and cheap substrates to create hybrid solar cells (HSCs). In this work, we have presented a comprehensive optoelectronic study of Poly(3-hexylthiophene): [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methylester (P3HT:PCBM)/Gallium arsenide (GaAs) nanocone (NC) array based HSC and compared its overall performance with its organic counterpart and other nanostructure arrays. The proposed P3HT:PCBM/GaAs NC HSC has exhibited an average absorptance of 71.63% with a remarkable optical J sc and generation rate of 24.21 mA cm−2 and 5.26 × 1028 cm−3s−1, respectively, which are highest among all the other structures. Additionally, we have presented the optical performance of the HSC for oblique incident conditions and reported that the proposed HSC can exhibit an average optical J sc of 21.04 mA cm−2 when averaged over all angles of incidence. The electrical simulations reveal that, the proposed device can exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 17%, even at low carrier mobility (µ), lifetimes (τ), and high surface recombination velocity at contacts.

Metal oxides as buffer layers for CZTS based solar cells: A numerical analysis by SCAPS-1D software

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) has been widely used as absorber layer for an alternative cadmium free thin film solar cell material. However, in some of the CZTS based solar cell still use cadmium sulphide or cadmium selenide as buffer layer. Because of its toxic nature, it can have very harmful effect on environment. In this work, we have simulated a CZTS-Metal oxide-based hybrid solar cell systems towards cd-free solar cells. We have taken CZTS as absorber material as p-type semiconductor and for n-type semiconductor we have used various metal oxides as Titanium oxide (TiO2), Molybdenum oxide (MoO3), and Tungsten oxide (WO3). The overall efficiency of each of the device reaches a maximum of around 20%. The stability of the cell is simulated by recording various IV parameters with changing temperature. The IV parameters with thickness have been optimized. The various other parameters with varying different doping density have been analyzed. The C–V and C-f characteristics of each solar cell design have been analyzed. The quantum efficiency of all the simulated device gives excellent absorbing efficiency within visible range.

Theoretical Study of Hybrid Solar Cell Parameters Evaluation From I-V Characteristics

Photovoltaics, which convert directly solar energy into electricity, provide a practical and sustainable solution to the challenge of meeting the increasing global energy demand. Computer simulation is an important tool for investigating solar cell device’s behavior and optimizing their performance. This work develops a new approach to retrieve the five parameters of the single diode equivalent solar cell/module model using the measured current-voltage data and its derivative (G=dI/dV). A nonlinear least-square technique based on the Newton-Raphson method under MATLAB Program is applied to determine the five parameters of the hybrid solar cell including under different temperature.

Hybrid Solar Cells: A Step Closer to Smart Life

Solar cells come a long way since its invention. The stupendous growth of solar cells has opened many new avenues in many industrial sectors. Sunlight, being the primary source of solar cells is often shadowed by weather conditions such as heavy clouds, fogs, heavy rainfall etc. As such, the performance of solar cells wanes in such weather conditions. To tackle this, the concept of hybrid solar cells emerges which can cater to these weather anomalies and deliver power in bad weather too. This brief opinion article tries to appraise readers regarding the developments of hybrid solar cells

Design and Build a Water and Electric Power Management System at Public Toilet Using Microcontroller-Based Hybrid Solar Cell

The need for public facilities in densely populated areas is an important matter. One of the needs for public facilities is a public toilet or commonly called MCK. However, the MCK facilities do not yet have management of charging water and electricity. One way to overcome this problem is to use a system that is able to manage water filling and electrical power in the MCK. The problem of insufficient power can be overcome by applying Solar Cell using a Hybrid system so that the existing power becomes more efficient. This study uses a water management system in the toilet bowl using ultrasonic sensors and solenoid valves. The duration of using MCK is known from the PIR sensor. The power management itself uses a hybrid solar cell system where the resources used are batteries and PLN. Then the sensor reading data is sent to firebase and displayed on the website. Based on the test, it was found that the performance of the solar cell during testing on Saturday 10 July 2021 to Monday 12 July 2021 produced an average power of 20.28Watt and the average intensity of sunlight was 680062.32lx. The power used by the load for 3 days is 0.81 kWh. The average usage on the 3 days of the trial was 9.72 Min. Quality of Service testing on a 3-day trial system obtained an average delay of 0.9637308s and packet loss of 2.2%.

Phosphorus and Selenium Co‐Doped WO3 Nanoparticles for Interface Modification and Photovoltaic Properties Enhancement of Monolayer Planar Silicon/PEDOT:PSS Hybrid Solar Cells

AbstractOrganic/silicon hybrid solar cells have attracted extensive attention owing to their low cost and simple manufacturing process. However, theoretical simulations indicate that the efficiency of organic/silicon hybrid solar cells should exceed 20%. This study demonstrates phosphorus and selenium co‐doped WO3 nanoparticles used for heterojunction solar cell (HSC) modification and theoretically elaborates the effects of these doping elements. The doped WO3 nanoparticles are added into poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films to optimize the physical properties and qualities of the organic layer. The admixture of P/Se‐WOx greatly improves the open‐circuit voltage and fill factor of Si/PEDOT:PSS solar cell devices. In the hole transport layer (HTL)‐based device, the P/Se‐WOx hybrid PEDOT:PSS HTL yields a power conversion efficiency up to 13.64%, which is substantially higher than those of previously reported undoped and doped devices. The generated W5+ in optimized WO3 further indicates that the VI B group elements, such as W or Mo with 5+ state ions, positively influence the HSC performance and would greatly benefit the photovoltaic industry.

Spectral Splitting Optimization for Highly Efficient Hybrid Photovoltaic devices by using Na3AlF6, Y2O3 and TiO2 beam splitter

Spectral splitting optimization for efficient hybrid solar energy cell is studied by materials which are Na3AlF6, Y2O3, and TiO2. The Essential Macleod software is used to design this beamsplitter. Multilayer coating design consist of Na3AlF6 as low index material, Y2O3 as middle index material and TiO2 as high index material. The wavelength range of design is from 400nm to 2000nm with reference wavelength 700nm having incident angle 45 degree. Design consists of 56 alternating layers based on formula [LMHM]^14. Optimac refinement techniques is used to improve the design. It is concluded in the result that a good beam splitter is designed which transmits about 80% light in the spectrum range from 400nm to 975nm and reflect 77% light in the infrared region from 1000nm to 2000nm. The transmitted light is used for the solar cell and reflected light is used for thermoelectric generator.

Insight into electronic structure and optical properties of ZnTPP thin films for energy conversion applications: Experimental and computational study

Theoretical and experimental study of the electronic structure and optical characteristics of Zinc (II) 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl 21 H, 23 H-porphine (ZnTPP) was reported. The ground state molecular geometry, Frontier molecular orbitals, vibrational frequency, and total energy of ZnTPP were determined using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Homogenous ZnTPP thin films were grown on glass and fused quartz substrates using the thermal evaporation method. The ZnTPP thin film structure was described experimentally using FTIR, XRD, AFM and UV-Vis. spectroscopy. XRD results illustrate the polycrystalline structure of ZnTPP powder, whereas the pristine ZnTPP thin films have amorphous nature. The AFM results revealed that the pristine ZnTPP film has uniform elliptical crystallites dispersed throughout the whole surface. Optical parameters of the ZnTPP films were obtained from the absorbance spectra. The absorption coefficient and band gap values showed that ZnTPP can be employed in optoelectronic devices. The experimental findings are in good accord with theoretical ones. A hybrid solar cell was prepared by growing a thin film of ZnTPP on p-silicon single crystal wafers. The photovoltaic performance of the prepared solar cell were estimated as JSC = 1.556 mA/cm2, VOC = 0.366 V, FF = 0.274 and η = 3.12 %.

Development of new renewable energy hybrid system for simple home electricity purposes

The need for energy has now become a major problem that is increasingly complex in all countries in the world to support their economic growth. These various conditions require the need for new renewable energy that can answer these challenges. Wind energy and solar cells have become one of the solutions to reduce dependence on fossil energy. Wind energy and solar energy are actually the most promising sources of energy considering their sustainable nature and very large amounts to be used as electrical energy for lighting in simple people's homes. A wind turbine is a prime mover that utilizes wind energy to drive the turbine blades which are then transformed in the form of mechanical energy to rotate the turbine shaft. Solar energy is energy in the form of light and heat from the sun, which technology can be applied to a variety of energies, including solar thermal electrical energy. New and renewable energy with hybrid or combined systems for home-scale power plants is very much needed to ensure the continuity of the existence of electrical energy and efficiency. The combined and hybrid system models that have been developed and applied are hybrid solar cells and wind turbines.

Light Trapping of Inclined Si Nanowires for Efficient Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Solar Cells.

Light/matter interaction of low-dimensional silicon (Si) strongly correlated with its geometrical features, which resulted in being highly critical for the practical development of Si-based photovoltaic applications. Yet, orientation modulation together with apt control over the size and spacing of aligned Si nanowire (SiNW) arrays remained rather challenging. Here, we demonstrated that the transition of formed SiNWs with controlled diameters and spacing from the crystallographically preferred <100> to <110> orientation was realized through the facile adjustment of etchant compositions. The underlying mechanism was found to correlate with the competing reactions between the formation and removal of oxide at Ag/Si interfaces that could be readily tailored through the concentration ratio of HF to H2O2. By employing inclined SiNWs for the construction of hybrid solar cells, the improved cell performances compared with conventional vertical-SiNW-based hybrid cells were demonstrated, showing the conversion efficiency of 12.23%, approximately 1.12 times higher than that of vertical-SiNW-based hybrid solar cells. These were numerically and experimentally interpreted by the involvement of excellent light-trapping effects covering the wide-angle light illuminations of inclined SiNWs, which paved the potential design for next-generation optoelectronic devices.

Optimization ZnO Properties for Electron Transport Layer (ETL) of Hybrid Solar-cell Prepared with Sol-gel Method Combined with Reflux Treatment

Electron-hole pair (exciton) generation and extraction from solar-cell photoactive layer is the main parameters determined solar-cell performance. Generally solar-cell consists of a photoactive layer sandwiched between electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transport layer (HTL). Exciton separation and extraction from photoactive layer depend on several properties: energy level match of photoactive layer and charge transport layer, surface contact area of photoactive layer and charge transport layer, and charge transport properties of charge transport layer. ETL and HTL should meet several characteristic e.g.: high transparency in UV-visible light region, high degree of crystallization to minimize charge lose and high electron or hole mobility. In this study we try to fabricate ZnO as an ETL of hybrid solar-cell with sol-gel method combined with reflux treatment. The quality of ZnO ETL highly effected by precursor solution properties; solution homogeneity, viscosity and stability. These precursor solution properties depend on chemical composition and reaction condition, reflux treatment designed to enhance precursor solution reaction time and increase solution stability. Previous study shown low solution stability of ZnO precursor prepared with sol-gel without reflux treatment which resulting on low ETL quality. Visible observation of the resulting precursor solution showed that reflux treatment enhances solution stability, while solution prepared without reflux treatment easily formed precipitation phase. Furthermore, ZnO powder prepared with reflux treatment exhibit preferable crystallization and small ZnO crystallite size. Low-temperature crystallization of ZnO prepared with sol-gel method combined with reflux treatment, make it is possible to fabricate thin film with small particle size therefore able to enhance surface contact area of photoactive layer and ETL.

Performance improvement of three terminal heterojunction bipolar transistor based hybrid solar cell using nano-rods

In this research, performance enhancement of three terminal heterojunction bipolar transistor structure based solar cell (HBTSC) is investigated via implementing perovskite layer as emitter absorber region and nanorods within emitter. For this study, a p-n-p hybrid HBTSC structure has been proposed with MAPbI3/CdS/ACZTSe materials for photon absorber layer, and MgF2 for anti-reflection layer (ARL). The purpose of this research is mainly to optimize emitter (MAPbI3) and CdS nanorods thickness of HBTSC structure therefore boosting device efficiency through optoelectronic and electrical simulations. During obtaining the results, the effects of the surface, Shockley–Read–Hall (SRH) and radiative recombination mechanisms has been considered. Two new proposed structures based on planar MAPbI3/CdS/ACZTSe & MAPbI3/CdS nanorods/CdS/ACZTSe perovskite–kesterite based hybrid HBTSCs has been introduced. The maximum efficiency (η) of 23.45% and short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 39.93 mAcm−2 are obtained for planar MAPbI3/CdS/ACZTSe based perovskite–kesterite HBTSCs with open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 760.05 mV and fill factor (FF) of 77.28%, respectively. As for MAPbI3/CdS nanorods/CdS/ACZTSe based hybrid HBTSCs with η of 27.91%, Jsc of 42.03 mAcm−2, Voc of 786.8 mV, and FF of 84.39%, a total improvement of 4.46% is achieved when compared to planar hybrid perovskite–kesterite HBTSCs structure.

Hole-injection role of solution-processed thermally treated VOx thin films in Si nanowire-based solar cells

We have studied the hole-injection workability of dopant-free vanadium oxide (VOx) semiconductor thin films. Solution-processable VOx films were annealed in different atmospheres at 450 ˚C. X-ray diffraction showed that different crystal structures of V2O5, VO2 (M) and VO2 (B) were obtained after annealing in oxygen, nitrogen and under vacuum respectively. Gap states that originated from oxygen deficiencies located inside the band gap of the annealed VOx were demonstrated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These VOx thin films act effectively as transparent hole-injection layers owing to their high work function, wide band gap, and presence of oxygen deficiencies. The different ambient annealed VOx films were employed in Si nanowire (SiNW)-based solar cells. The vacuum-annealed oxide film VO2–x (B) showed the best hole-injection ability. SiNWs/VOx solar cells are noticeably more stable than SiNWs/PEDOT:PSS hybrid solar cells, which decay swiftly under ambient conditions unless encapsulation is provided. The utilization of VOx films to act as hole-injection layers opens a pathway toward the development of cheap and durable electronics and optoelectronics devices.

Optical waveguide‐based photon concentrator for hybrid photovoltaic cells

AbstractSolar energy is pollution‐free with less impact on the ecosystem, but it has limitations due to its intermittent nature attributed to sun availability for specific hours, resulting in less energy conservation efficiency. Similar to the purpose of carvings on the leaves to collect water, we are presenting a nanometer‐thick layer of silicon or chalcogenide with fused silica for photons enhancement in red and the blue portion of the spectrum within the solar energy reaching the earth's surface. The design is based on nanorod imprints on micrometer‐sized conventional fused silica, ensuring better absorption and transportation toward hybrid photovoltaic cells. Hybrid solar cells (comprising silicon and perovskites) are typically termed the future of solar power, but will not be discussed here. Effective area, optical power concentration, and second‐ and higher‐order dispersions can further help design and develop the photon concentrators.

Highly Efficient (&gt;9%) Lead‐Free AgBiS2 Colloidal Nanocrystal/Organic Hybrid Solar Cells

AbstractEnvironmentally friendly colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) are promising materials for next‐generation solar cells because of their low cost, solution processability, and facile bandgap tunability. Recently, silver bismuth disulfide (AgBiS2) has attracted considerable attention owing to its appreciable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.4%. However, issues such as the low open‐circuit voltage (VOC) compared to the bandgap of the AgBiS2 NCs and the unoptimized energy level structure at the AgBiS2 NC/PTB7 hole‐transporting layer (HTL) interface should be resolved to enhance the performance of solar cells. In this study, a design strategy to obtain efficient energy level structure in AgBiS2 NC/organic hybrid solar cells is proposed. By selecting PBDB‐T‐2F as an HTL with a lower highest occupied molecular orbital level than that of PTB7, the VOC of the device is increased. Furthermore, iodide‐ and thiolate‐passivated AgBiS2 NC surfaces are generated using tetramethylammonium iodide (TMAI) and 2‐mercaptoethanol (2‐ME), which leads to the energy level optimization of NCs for efficient charge extraction. This improves the PCE from 3.3% to 7.1%. In addition, the polymer is replaced with a PBDB‐T‐2F:BTP‐4Cl blend to achieve a higher short‐circuit current density through complementary absorption. Accordingly, an AgBiS2 NC‐based solar cell with a PCE of 9.1% is fabricated.