Performance Of Solar Cells Research Articles

Reversing band bending at grain boundaries enables high-efficiency Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells

Kesterite solar cells show great potential for sustainable photovoltaic technology, attributed to their excellent semiconductor properties and earth abundant composition. However, undesirable band bending at the grain boundaries (GBs) in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) films induces serious carrier recombination because of inhomogeneous distribution of S and Se in the grain interiors (GIs) and at GBs, which results in large open-circuit voltage deficit and overall poor performance of CZTSSe solar cells. Here, a robust hydrothermal sulfurization design has successfully inverted the band bending at the GBs, with advanced cathodoluminescence measurement confirming the transition of carrier collection pathways from the GBs to the GIs, thereby achieving efficient carrier collection within the GIs. Simultaneously, this design has effectively passivated the non-radiative recombination in the GIs, smoothing the way for carrier collection. Ultimately, a 13.7 % efficiency CZTSSe solar cell with 44 % improvement is realized by this process. This study discloses that reversing the band bending at GBs is practical to tailor the carrier collection, and thus pave the pathway for high-efficient photoelectronic devices.

In situ seed layer bandgap engineering leading to the conduction band offset reversion and efficient Sb2Se3 solar cells with high open-circuit voltage

Sb2Se3 solar cells have achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of over 10%. However, the serious open-circuit voltage deficit (VOC-deficit), induced by the hard-to-control crystal orientation and heterojunction interface reaction, limits the PCE of vapor transport deposition (VTD) processed Sb2Se3 solar cells. To overcome the VOC-deficit problem of VTD processed Sb2Se3 solar cells, herein, an in-situ bandgap regulation strategy is innovatively proposed to prepare a wide band gap Sb2(S,Se)3 seed layer (WBSL) at CdS/Sb2Se3 heterojunction interface to improve the PCE of Sb2Se3 solar cells. The analysis results show that the introduced Sb2(S,Se)3 seed layer can enhance the [001] orientation of Sb2Se3 thin films, broaden the band gap of heterojunction interface, and realize a “Spike-like” conduction band alignment with ΔEc = 0.11 eV. In addition, thanks to the suppressed CdS/Sb2Se3 interface reaction after WBSL application, the depletion region width of Sb2Se3 solar cells is widened, and the quality of CdS/Sb2Se3 interface and the carrier transporting performance of Sb2Se3 solar cells are significantly improved as well. Moreover, the harmful Se vacancy defects near the front interface of Sb2Se3 solar cells can be greatly diminished by WBSL. Finally, the PCE of Sb2Se3 solar cells is improved from 7.0% to 7.6%; meanwhile the VOC is increased to 466 mV which is the highest value for the VTD derived Sb2Se3 solar cells. This work will provide a valuable reference for the interface and orientation regulation of antimony-based chalcogenide solar cells.

Endgroup engineering of the third component for high-efficiency ternary organic solar cells

In this study, we carefully designed and synthesized three A-D-A type molecules, namely YF-C8-CN, YF-C8-S, and YF-C8-O. These molecules feature a 2,2′-bithiophene core, which bears two 2,4,6-tripropylbenzene steric hindrance groups, as the central electron-donating unit, and utilize rhodanine (Rh), thiazolidinedione, and dicyanoyl-modified benzotriazole (BTA) respectively as the electron acceptor unit (A-unit). We investigated their impact as the third component on the performance of ternary organic solar cells (OSCs). Our studies indicate that YF-C8-S, with rhodanine terminal groups, exhibits complementary absorption characteristics and cascaded energy levels when combined with the host binary system (D18:eC9-4F). Compared to YF-C8-CN and YF-C8-O, ternary OSCs based on YF-C8-S demonstrate significantly higher exciton diffusion and charge transport efficiency, favorably impacting the short-circuit current density (JSC) and fill factor (FF) of the OSCs. Furthermore, devices based on YF-C8-S exhibit reduced non-radiative energy loss, contributing to an enhanced open-circuit voltage (VOC). Consequently, ternary OSCs based on YF-C8-S achieve a remarkable efficiency of 19.12%, positioning it among the highest reported values. This comprehensive research on the third component of the YF-C8 series underscores their significant potential for fabricating high-performance ternary OSCs.

Enhancing photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells by embedding plasmonic Ag nanocuboid array in the active layer

Enhancing photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells by embedding plasmonic Ag nanocuboid array in the active layer

Enhanced Antireflection and Absorption in Thin Film GaAs Solar Cells Using Dielectric Composite Nanostructures

This study investigates the application of dielectric composite nanostructures (DCNs) to enhance both antireflection and absorption properties in thin film GaAs solar cells, which are crucial for reducing production costs and improving energy conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices. Building upon previous experimental validations, this work systematically explores the underlying theoretical mechanisms using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method to analyze the light interaction with the proposed DCNs. The results show that the combination of Mie resonance, Fabry–Perot resonance, and guided resonance, induced by the surface structuring of the DCNs, significantly enhances light absorption in the active layer, particularly at longer wavelengths. For solar cells featuring a 500-nm-thick absorber layer, SARL-decorated solar cells demonstrated an average reflectivity of 12.18%, whereas those incorporating DCNs exhibited a significantly reduced average reflectivity of 4.52%. These findings indicate that DCNs structures are highly effective in enhancing the performance of thin and ultra-thin GaAs solar cells by minimizing surface reflection and increasing photon utilization, offering a promising solution for high efficiency, cost effective photovoltaic devices.

Small molecule of aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride prompting large improvement in the performance of perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) continuously update their best research efficiency records, currently has exceeded 26 %. However, the industrialization of PSCs still faces the issues of stability and performance improvement, and interface defects are notorious negative factors. Herein, a small molecule aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride (AAN) as multi-functional additive is introduced into the interface of tin oxide (SnO2)/perovskite. The cyano group (CN) on AAN can coordinate with Pb2+ on perovskite; Cl− can occupy halide vacancy in perovskite and oxygen vacancy on SnO2, and NH3+ can form hydrogen bonding with iodide ions in perovskite. It is verified that crystal growth quality is improved, trap-state density is reduced, energetic alignment is adjusted, charge transfer is ameliorated, and carrier recombination is alleviated. Therefore, the AAN-modified PSC achieves a maximum power conversion efficiency of 24.52 % with a high open-circuit voltage of 1.18 V and satisfactory stability, compared to the unmodified device efficiency of 21.24 %, demonstrating a significant impact of the multi-functional small molecule of AAN in highly efficient and stable PSCs.

Incorporation of Gold Nanoparticle into ZnO Electron Transport Layer to Improve Performance of Hybrid Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cell

Abstract We have investigated the effect of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) from gold nanoparticles incorporated into the electron transport layer (ETL) of zinc oxide (ZnO) on charge carrier transport in order to improve the performance of inverted hybrid bulk-heterojunction solar cells. Synthesis of gold nanoparticles capped by 3-mercaptopropionic acid (AuMPA) and oleylamine (AuOA) was carried out by use of the reduction method and the fabrication of solar cell device with the configuration of ITO/ZnO:AuNPs/P3HT:PCBM/PEDOT:PSS/Ag was done by spin coating and thermal evaporation techniques. The absorbance spectra show a plasmonic peak of AuMPA in solution at 521 nm, while AuOA has a plasmonic peak at 531 nm, with both solutions showing a red-wine color. In our investigation, the incorporation of AuMPA about 2.65wt% or AuOA about 3.5 wt% in the ZnAc solution is quite stable. With the addition of 1.77 wt% AuMPA, the fabricated devices show a significant improvement at short circuit condition (JSC) from 46.67 mA/cm2 to 83.11 mA/cm2, resulting in an increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 5.64% to 9.00% under the illumination of 100 mW/cm2 simulated solar irradiation. While the AuOA addition of 2.65 wt%, the JSC increased from 22.67 mA/cm2 to 44.12 mA/cm2 along with an improvement of PCE from 2.71% to 5.32%. The experiment results suggest that the electron mobility or charge carrier transport to the indium tin oxide (ITO) cathode is improved by the local electric field enhancement around the zinc oxide (ZnO) electron transport layer due to the effect of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).

Design perspectives of a thin film GaAs solar cell integrated with Carrier Selective contacts and anti-reflection coatings: Optical and device analysis

III-V thin-film solar cells (SCs) have shown exceptional optoelectronic properties and remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE), attributed to their outstanding charge transport, efficient photon trapping, adaptability, and recycling of photons. In particular, incorporating anti-reflective coatings (ARCs) made from wide-bandgap oxides has proven effective in reducing optical losses, with reductions as low as 20 % being reported. Furthermore, the use of carrier-selective contacts in these designs not only eliminates the need for complex doped junctions but also simplifies the fabrication process, further enhancing their performance. Despite these advancements, relatively few studies have explored the integration of both ARCs and carrier-selective contacts in gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based thin-film solar cells. This gap represents a significant opportunity for improving the efficiency and performance of these devices. To address this, we present a GaAs thin-film solar cell incorporating an ARC layer for enhanced light-trapping and optimized photon absorption. In addition, we integrate carrier-selective contacts using titanium dioxide (TiO2) as the electron transport layer and molybdenum oxide (MoO3) as the hole transport layer, ensuring effective charge separation and collection. Our optical analysis demonstrates that, with an optimized ARC thickness, the optical losses in the 380 nm-thick GaAs absorber layer can be limited to 20 %. Moreover, by maintaining a surface recombination velocity (SRV) of 103 cm/s and a carrier lifetime of 10μs, the proposed design achieves an impressive PCE of approximately 23 %. This study highlights the potential of combining ARCs and carrier-selective contacts to push the performance of GaAs thin-film solar cells to new heights, paving the way for more efficient, and cost-effective photovoltaic technologies.

On the performance and thermal stability of solar cell based on CIGS-Sb2S3 combination with >35% power conversion efficiency

This study presents a solar cell design utilizing a CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenide) absorber and Sb2S3 (antimony trisulfide) back surface field (BSF) layers, targeting high photovoltaic (PV) performance with an emphasis on minimum possible effect of ambient temperature. We simulated a solar cell design consisting of zinc oxide, surface defect layer, zinc sulfide, CIGS layer, and an Sb2S3 layer using SCAPS-1D software. Our findings indicate that 200 nm Sb2S3 layer and a 1600 nm CIGS layer is the preferred combination for achieving high PV performance and appropriate J-V characteristics of the proposed solar cell. For this design, the achieved values of VOC (open circuit voltage), JSC (short circuit current density), PCE (power conversion efficiency), and fill factor (FF) are 1.069V, 42.08 mA/cm2, 35.94%, and 80.31%, respectively. The PV performance of the proposed solar cell is substantially better than the solar cell design without BSF layer as well as recently reported (2023-24) solar cell designs. This study further examines the impact of elevated ambient temperatures (295–360 K) on the PV performance. Our simulation results show that operating the proposed solar cell at moderately elevated temperatures is not a significant issue owing to small power temperature coefficient (-0.034% per K), which is comparable to that of commercially available solar cells. These findings are expected to contribute to the ongoing advancement of PV solar cells, aiming for higher PCE and improved stability, including thermal stability. Proposed solar cell with low PTC and high PCE can be suitable for space applications where temperature fluctuation is severe, as well as in tropical areas.

Photovoltaic performance in CIGS solar cells: effects of using Mg- and Al-doped ZnO thin-film layers as alternative TCO and front contact layer

Photovoltaic performance in CIGS solar cells: effects of using Mg- and Al-doped ZnO thin-film layers as alternative TCO and front contact layer

Enhanced performance of novel green synthesized CuS nanostructures decorated with Rh and Pd nanoparticles for energy generation and gas sensing applications

This article investigates the utilization of copper sulfide (CuS) based nanomaterials functionalized with rhodium (Rh) and palladium (Pd) nanoparticles for gas sensing and energy generation applications. CuS nanoparticles, known for their unique properties, were combined with Rh and Pd nanoparticles to enhance hydrogen (H2) gas sensing capabilities. Gas sensing experiments revealed that CuS/Rh/Pd nanocomposites exhibited the highest sensing response of 58.33% to H2, indicating the significant improvement in gas sensing properties due to the combined presence of Rh and Pd nanoparticles in CuS matrices. Moreover, temperature-dependent responses provided insights into optimal operating conditions for effective gas sensing with CuS-based nanocomposites. Comprehensive characterization studies including XPS, Raman, and morphology analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of CuS/Rh/Pd nanomaterials with high purity and desirable structural properties. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance studies demonstrated that CuS/Rh/Pd nanocomposites enhanced the efficiency by minimizing light over-absorption and improving photoanode stability. Overall, this study highlighted the potential of metal nanoparticle-decorated CuS nanocomposites for advanced gas sensing and energy generation applications, paving the way for the development of highly sensitive and efficient gas sensors and solar energy conversion technologies.

Enhancing Si-nanowire solar cell performance through fabrication and annealing optimization

Enhancing Si-nanowire solar cell performance through fabrication and annealing optimization

Synthesis, spectral analysis, and DFT studies of the novel pyrano[3,2-c] quinoline-based 1,3,4-thiadiazole for enhanced solar cell performance

In this study, we synthesized a novel compound, 3-(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-6-ethyl-4-hydroxy-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-2,5(6H)-dione (ATEHPQ), through a condensation reaction between 6-ethyl-4-hydroxy-2,5-dioxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyrano [3,2-c]quinoline-3-carboxaldehyde and thiosemicarbazide, followed by oxidative cyclization. We characterized ATEHPQ using elemental analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations with the B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) basis set were employed to optimize the molecular geometry and analyze global reactivity descriptors, including HOMO-LUMO energies. The Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) map was used to identify reactive sites, and drug-likeness studies indicated potential pharmaceutical applications. Notably, ATEHPQ showed a higher first hyperpolarizability (βtot) compared to urea, suggesting its suitability for nonlinear optical applications. We also determined the Miller indices for ATEHPQ's preferred orientations using a specialized program. Williamson–Hall analysis revealed an average crystal size of 26.08 nm and a lattice strain of 6.3 × 10−3. The thin films exhibited three distinct absorption peaks at 2.8, 3.41, and 4.21 eV, with a direct energy gap of 2.43 eV. Dispersion parameters from the single oscillator model provided oscillator and dispersion energies of 3.12 eV and 14.21 eV, respectively, with a high-frequency dielectric constant of 4.71. The ATEHPQ thin films, when combined with n-Si, demonstrated significant improvements in photovoltaic performance: the open-circuit voltage (Voc) rose from 0.13 V to 0.521 V, the short-circuit current (Isc) increased from 0.253 mA to 2.94 mA, the fill factor (FF) improved from 0.238 to 0.33, and the efficiency (η) grew from 0.71 % to 4.64 % with increased illumination intensity. These results highlight the excellent photovoltaic and photodetection capabilities of ATEHPQ thin films, underscoring their potential for advanced optoelectronic and solar cell applications.

Effect of annealing treatment on oxalic acid-assisted electrodeposited CdS thin films for enhanced solar cell performance

Effect of annealing treatment on oxalic acid-assisted electrodeposited CdS thin films for enhanced solar cell performance

Enhanced performance of dye-sensitized solar cells via anthocyanin, chlorophyll, benzothiadiazole and diphenylacridine co-sensitizers and amine-based co-adsorbents

Anthocyanin (ANT) and chlorophyll (CHL) natural dyes extracted from blue butterfly pea flowers and spinach leaves and two synthetic metal-free dyes (BIM33 and C1) were evaluated as sensitizers/co-sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). To suppress the possible dye aggregation, triethylamine (TEA) and diethylenetriamine (DETA) were utilized as alternative co-adsorbents to the commonly used chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). Furthermore, CHL, BIM33, and C1 were co-sensitized with ANT to achieve panchromatic light absorption and, hence, enhance the photovoltaic performance. Therefore, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of DSSCs based on the dyes were significantly improved from 1.19–5.01 % to 2.39–6.31 % by the co-sensitization and utilization of co-adsorbents. Meanwhile, the efficiencies of DSSCs based on TEA or DETA were superior to those based on CDCA under the same conditions. This study provides effective strategies for improving the performance of DSSCs based on environment-friendly dyes.

Pyridalthiadiazole-Based Molecular Chromophores for Defect Passivation Enables High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells.

Passivation of defects at the surface and grain boundaries of perovskite films has become one of the most important strategies to suppress nonradiative recombination and improve optoelectronic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, two conjugated molecules, abbreviated as CPT and SiPT, are designed and synthesized as the passivator to enhance both efficiency and stability of PSCs. The CPT and SiPT contain pyridalthiadiazole (PT) units, which can coordinate with undercoordinated Pb2+ at the surface and grain boundaries to passivate the defects in perovskite films. In addition, with the incorporation of CPT, the crystallized perovskite films exhibit more uniform grain size and smoother surface morphology relative to the control ones. The efficient passivation by CPT also results in better charge extraction and less carrier recombination in PSCs. Consequently, the CPT-passivated PSCs yield the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.14% together with better storage stability under ambient conditions, which is enhanced relative to the control devices with a PCE of 22.14%. Meanwhile, the SiPT-passivated PSCs also show a slightly enhanced performance with a PCE of 22.43%. Our findings provide a new idea for the future design of functional passivating molecules towards high-performance PSCs.

Functionalized sp2 Carbon-Conjugated Covalent Organic Frameworks for Interfacial Modulation of Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

Interfacial modulation utilizing functional materials is proven to be crucial for obtaining high photovoltaic performance in lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This study investigates, for the first time, the utilization of a pyrene-based sp2 carbon-conjugated covalent organic framework (sp2c-COF) as an interfacial layer in inverted PSCs. Functionalized with cyano (-CN) Lewis base groups, the sp2c-COF exhibits a dual effect, simultaneously passivating both the NiOx and the perovskite layers. Detailed characterization results highlight the role of sp2c-COF in reducing the Ni3+ defect density in NiOx films and forming Lewis acid-base adducts with undercoordinated Pb2+ on the perovskite surfaces, thereby inhibiting interfacial redox reactions and suppressing non-radiative recombination. Moreover, sp2c-COF leads to improved crystallinity of perovskite films. Benefiting from the synergistic effects, sp2c-COF-modified devices delivered a champion efficiency of 17.64%. These findings underscore the potential of sp2c-COF as a functional interface material for PSCs, offering enhanced efficiency and stability. The study contributes to advancing the understanding and application of covalent organic frameworks in photovoltaic technologies.

Construction of homogeneous electron collection center at buried interface based on triazine-based graphdiyne for efficient perovskite solar cells

The properties of the buried interface between electron transport layer (ETL) and perovskite is critical factors to influence the performance of conventional perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, functionalized triazine-based graphdiyne (Tz-GDY) nanospheres are prepared and employed to build up electron collection center and optimize the SnO2/perovskite interface. The pyrazine ring with homogeneous N element distribution and alkyne bond of Tz-GDY can passivate the undercoordinated Sn to remodel the electron density distribution around the Sn atoms and thus effectively eliminate the trap defects and inhibit the recombination loss significantly. In addition, the as-prepared Tz-GDY based nanospheres uniformly distribute at the SnO2/perovskite interface and a larger grain and more uniform perovskite film is obtained due to the increased contact angle. Moreover, Tz-GDY nanospheres can reduce the fermi energy level to facilitate the electron injection. Consequently, the Tz-GDY modified PSCs exhibits a champion power conversion efficiency of 24.83 % with effectively suppressed hysteresis. Our strategy proposes a more efficient electron collection method in buried interface, providing a guidance for constructing efficient PSCs.

Study on the mechanism of advanced pre-degradation on hydrogenation of multi-crystalline silicon solar cells

The electrical performance of monocrystalline silicon solar cells was significantly improved under hydrogenation alone with appropriate conditions, while the similar improvements of multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si) solar cells were relatively slight. In this paper, an advanced pre-degradation (Adv.Pre-Deg) was introduced to improve the hydrogenation effect and enhance the performance of mc-Si solar cells. Meanwhile, further studies were conducted on the influence mechanism of Adv.Pre-Deg on subsequent hydrogenation, and some microscopic detection was applied to characterize the effect of Adv.Pre-Deg on the following hydrogenation. The results indicated that Adv.Pre-Deg only slightly influenced the crystallinity, dangling bonds, and defects within the surface dielectric layer, which illustrated that Adv.Pre-Deg hardly harmed the dielectric layer. Then, Raman imaging demonstrated that Adv.Pre-Deg displayed primary assistance in stimulating impurities or defects in silicon bulk in advance. According to the detection of the Si-H bond, we also concluded that the effective performance improvement on mc-Si silicon solar cells through Adv.Pre-Deg & hydrogenation was due to the pre-activation of impurities or defects by Adv.Pre-Deg. Moreover, Adv.Pre-Deg enhanced the passivation effect of hydrogenation on interstitial Fei+ from 30.3%rel. to 89.1%rel. and dislocation defects from 21.92%rel. to 46.18%rel., doubling the improvement of bulk passivation on mc-Si. Therefore, the method of combining Adv.Pre-Deg with hydrogenation aims to be applied to other types of solar cells and focus on improving performance and suppressing various degradations, such as TOPCon and HJT.

Stable RbCsFAPbI3 perovskite solar cell: numerical modelling and optimisation using SCAPS-1D

The studies concerning solar cell technology has consistently been captivating and inspiring, largely because of its environmentally friendly and sustainable characteristics. The outstanding electronic, optical, mechanical, and electrical characteristics of perovskite materials make them crucial for the development of the photovoltaic industry. In order to model the mixed cation Rb0.05Cs0.1FA0.85PbI3 perovskite solar cells, the SCAPS-1D tool was used. The main feature of RbCsFAPbI3 perovskite is its remarkable stability, and wide bandgap. Rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) cations improve the optoelectronic characteristics of the material, resulting in less non-radiative recombination and improved charge transfer. In this work, the effects of different hole transport layers (CuSCN, CuSbS2,Cu2O) and back metal contacts (Ag, Fe, C-Cu, Au, Ni, Pt) on solar cell performance were investigated. The maximum efficiency of the solar cell has been achieved by studying various parameters like temperature, series resistance, shunt resistance, defect density, and absorber layer thickness. With FF = 84.12%, Jsc = 24.52 mA cm−2, Voc = 1.19 V, and the configuration of FTO/TiO2/RbCsFAPbI3/Cu2O/Au, the optimised device obtains a PCE of 24.64%. The impressive enhancements in performance parameters observed in the structure of the device make it highly suitable for applications in solar energy harvesting systems.