Photoelectric Conversion Performance Research Articles

Sublimation and Recrystallization of CsPbBr3 Constructing a Perovskite-Carbon Interface to Facilitate Hole Transfer in Printable All-Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells.

All-inorganic perovskite solar cells (APSCs) are a promising photovoltaic technology due to their unique physical and optical properties. For printable all-inorganic perovskite solar cells, the key factors limiting their photoelectric conversion performance are the crystallization of perovskite and the hole collection capability at the perovskite-carbon interface. In this study, leveraging the high-temperature tolerance of CsPbBr3 perovskite, the sublimation and recrystallization processes were controlled, significantly improving the crystalline quality of the perovskite and suppressing the generation of the nonphotovoltaic CsPb2Br5 phase. Furthermore, a continuous distribution of high-quality CsPbBr3 crystals was achieved at the interface between the carbon electrode and the zirconium oxide layer, ensuring efficient collection of photogenerated holes. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of the printable mesoscopic all-inorganic perovskite solar cell was increased from 5.04 to 8.34% (with a record value of 10.04%) and achieved an ultrahigh open-circuit voltage of 1.54 V due to the significant improvement in the crystal quality of CsPbBr3. This study proposes a novel strategy to enhance the photovoltaic conversion performance of carbon-based all-inorganic perovskite solar cells by suppressing the presence of nonphotovoltaic phases.

Phase change material composites based on 3D lignin-derived porous carbon prepared by in-situ activation for efficient solar-driven energy conversion and storage

Utilization of three-dimensional biomass-derived porous carbons can effectively address issues of easy leakage, low thermal conductivity, and weak photothermal conversion of phase change materials (PCMs). This enables the production of high-performance composites for solar-induced energy collection, conversion, and storage. In this study, hierarchical lignin-derived porous carbon (HLPC), microporous lignin-derived porous carbon (MILPC) and mesoporous lignin-derived porous carbon (MELPC) were prepared through high-temperature in-situ activation using lignosulphonate (LS) as a carbon precursor and CaCO3, KOH and ZnCO3 as activators. Carbon-based PCM composites with high performance were obtained by encapsulating paraffin wax (PW) in porous carbon supports. Results demonstrated that PW/HLPC exhibited comprehensive performance superior to other tested PW composites owing to its higher specific surface area (2,358 m2/g), larger pore volume (1.1 cm3/g) and well-interconnected framework structure. Additionally, PW/HLPC displayed relatively high latent heat (123.4 kJ/kg), photothermal conversion and storage efficiency (95 %), and photoelectric conversion performance (174.5 mV). Moreover, PW/HLPC also showed better leak-proof properties at 90 °C. The cycling stability and photothermal conversion performance of PW/HLPC were superior to those of the selected crude biochar-based PW composites. This study highlights the advantages of the prepared PW/HLPC for both the high-value utilization of lignin and its practical applications in solar-induced energy harvest, conversion, and storage.

Sensitive photoelectrochemical detection of Cr(Ⅵ) based on the suppression of background photocurrent

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor based on a BiVO4 semiconductor and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was successfully prepared for the sensitive detection of Cr(Ⅵ) ions. The calcination temperature was found to be very important for the PEC properties of BiVO4. The BiVO4-modified indium tin oxide electrode (ITO/BiVO4) calcined at 300 °C generated a low cathodic photocurrent response under light irradiation. BiVO4/AuNPs materials were coupled via electrostatic adsorption to enhance the photoelectric conversion performance of BiVO4. The use of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to modify electrodes reduce the background current. The developed ITO/BiVO4/AuNPs/L-Cys PEC sensor was used to detect of Cr(VI). The Cr(Ⅵ) ion concentrations showed a good linearity between 10 pM and 1 μM with a detection limit of 9.1 pM (S/N = 3). The prepared PEC sensor exhibited high sensitivity, a wide linear range, and good selectivity. This work provides a promising platform for the analytical detection of heavy metal ions.

Photoelectric conversion performance of Ga0.47In0.53As/Ge0.79Sn0.21 dual-junction thermophotovoltaic cell

Based on the photovoltaic characteristics of GeSn-based materials and the theory of stacked solar cells, Ga0.47In0.53As/Ge0.79Sn0.21 dual-junction thermophotovoltaic cell has been simulated and studied for the first time. According to existing experimental material parameters, the structure of the cell is optimized, and the photoelectric performance of the cell is profoundly studied. The findings indicate that the doping concentrations of the top/bottom cell are N a(d),t/N a(d),b = 50(7) × 1016/17(2) × 1019 cm−3, which exhibits superior photoelectric conversion performance. For reducing material consumption and achieving high performance, the thickness of the emitter (base) of the top/bottom cell can be selected as 0.8~2.0(2.0~4.0)/0~0.2(1.0~4.0) μm (T BB = 1500 K). With radiator temperatures increasing, the conversion efficiency of the cell significantly improves, and the open circuit voltage of the cell can reach 0.70~0.91 V (1000~2000 K). The research results can guide the design and fabrication of high-efficiency and economical GeSn-based multi-junction thermophotovoltaic cells, and can also provide a new research and development direction for low-cost thermophotovoltaic cells.

Band structure regulation for improving the photoinduced cathodic protection performance of TiO2/ZnxIn2S3+x heterojunctions

The degree of band matching is crucial for the photoelectric conversion performance of heterojunctions. In this work, TiO2/ZnxIn2S3+x (TO/ZIS-X, X=1, 2, 3, 4) heterostructures and their electrochemical and photoelectrochemical tests were studied. According to the energy band analysis of a series of TO/ZIS-X, it is found that I-type heterojunction can be formed between TO and ZIS-1, while Z-type heterojunction would be formed between TO and ZIS-2, ZIS-3 and ZIS-4. The photoinduced potential drop associated with current density of TO/ZIS-2 in 3.5 wt% NaCl are 505.82 mV and 18.61 μA·cm−2, respectively. This result is much higher than those of homogeneous TO and single-phase ZIS-X. The desirable photoelectrochemical cathodic protection performance of the photoelectrode is owing to the loading of ZnxIn2S3+x, which broadens the light absorption threshold and improves the electrochemical activity area. Besides, the construction of Z-type heterojunction retains the photogenerated electrons/holes with strong reduction/oxidation ability, which greatly promotes the photoelectrochemical cathodic protection capability on 316 L stainless steel.

Semiconductor heterojunctions coated with reduced graphite oxide as electron transfer materials for high-performance perovskite solar cells

Exploring and insight into the relationship between the microstructure, light absorption performance, and carrier transport of perovskite light absorption layer materials and carrier transport layer materials is crucial for obtaining efficient and stable perovskite solar cells. We adopted a simple strategy to prepare a composite material known as reduced graphene oxide wrapped mesoporous hierarchical TiO2–CdS semiconductor heterojunctions (TiO2–CdS-RGO) as the electron transport layer in formamidine lead iodide perovskite solar cells. Compared with single TiO2 and binary composite, this composite material exhibits enhanced photoluminescence quenching, reduced photo generated carrier recombination rate, and improved electron transfer capability. Photovoltaic devices based on TiO2–CdS-RGO composite material showed a 14.5 % increase in short-circuit current density (JSC) and a 36.3 % increase in photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to those with only TiO2. The improved optoelectronic properties observed with the TiO2–CdS-RGO as electron transfer layers can be attributed to several factors. On the one hand, mesoporous TiO2 with a high specific surface area is beneficial for perovskite infiltration and enhances electron transfer rate. On the other hand, the well-matching energy level structure among the three components aids in electrons extraction and reduces the recombination rate of photo generated charge carriers; In addition, RGO nanosheets with high conductivity serve as an efficient electron transfer network, providing a rapid charge transfer pathways, which is crucial for enhancing the photoelectric conversion performance of perovskite solar cells.

Signal Modulation Induced by a Hole Transfer Layer Participant Photoactive Gate: A Highly Sensitive Organic Photoelectrochemical Transistor Sensing Platform.

It is urgent to pursue appropriate gate photoactive materials for gate-to-channel signal modulation to achieve superior transconductance performances of organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT) sensors. Notably, a hole transfer layer (HTL) participant CdZnS/sulfur-doped Ti3C2 MXene (S-MXene) gate was designed and developed in this work, which exhibited a remarkable signal modulation performance by up to 3 orders of magnitude. Because of the incorporation of S-MXene with an enhanced electrical conductivity as the effective HTL, the signal modulation capabilities of the CdZnS/S-MXene photoactive gate were superior to those of CdZnS and CdZnS/MXene. This incorporation inhibited the recombination of the interfacial charge and facilitated the transfer of photogenerated holes, thus enhancing the photoelectric conversion performance. This enhancement facilitated fast electron transfer with a larger effective photovoltage to augment the dedoping ability of channel ions. Based on these findings, an aptasensing platform that exhibited good performance was constructed using the proposed OPECT device, with ofloxacin as a model target and an aptamer for specific recognition. The developed OPECT aptasensor had various advantages, including a high sensitivity, good linear range (1.0 × 10-13 to 1.0 × 10-6 M), and low limit of detection (3.3 × 10-15 M). This study provided a proof-of-concept for the generalized development of HTL participant gates for OPECT sensors and other related applications.

UV–Vis photodetector based on electrospun MgFe2O4 microfibers

Photodetector is an essential component in the effort to develop optoelectronic information system. Magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) with a band gap around 1.9 eV is expected to serve as a good photosensitive semiconductor for UV–Vis photodetectors. Here, the first MgFe2O4 microfibers based photodetector was demonstrated by combining the unique one-dimensional morphology of microfibers and the photoelectric conversion performance of MgFe2O4 semiconductor. The uniform MgFe2O4 microfibers were prepared by electrospinning method and then transferred to the FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide) conductive substrate to obtain the simple photodetector. The device exhibited nearly linear response to 360 nm UV light with a maximum responsivity of 63.1 μA/W. It also showed a significant response to 450 nm blue light. Our findings not only provide a feasible path for constructing MgFe2O4 based photodetector but also open up a brand new application field of MgFe2O4 semiconductor.

Emission surface improvement of In0.5Ga0.5N tilted nanowire array photocathode for vacuum electron sources

Photocathode has received increasing attention in scientific devices that require high-quality electron beams. A theoretical photoemission model for enhancing the performance of In0.5Ga0.5N tilted nanowire array photocathodes with negative electron affinity surface is proposed. Finite Element and finite difference methods are employed in simulation experiments to study the In0.5Ga0.5N tilted nanowire array photocathode. The results demonstrate that the photoelectric conversion performance of the In0.5Ga0.5N tilted nanowire array photocathode can be significantly enhanced through the combined impact of oblique incident light and an additional electric field. Specifically, when θ = 20°, β = −40°, and Eout = 4 V/μm, the total quantum efficiency and collection efficiency are 2.79 times and 4.27 times higher than compared to vertical nanowires without external assistance, respectively.

Low-temperature welding engineering of ZnO nanoparticles films via sol-gel method

ZnO nanoparticles is a highly promising semiconductor material as an electron transfer layer layer (ETL) in various optoelectronic devices. The cost-effective and low-temperature preparation method renders it ideal for the development of flexible and large-scale modules, aligning seamlessly with the commercialization process. However, Solution-derived ZnO exhibits a significant number of surface defects, which affect the device's photoelectric conversion performance and stability. Herein, a simple strategy focusing on controlling the nano size of ZnO was employed to mitigate these surface defects. Welded ZnO films were prepared via spin coating with a precise amount of ZnO sol into dispersion. These films were characterized via techniques such as TEM, FSEM XRD, DLS, UV/vis and so on. PL spectra revealed a notable decrease in defect density with the increase in nano size. AFM reveals that films doped with 15 % sol exhibit root mean square (RMS) values of less than 1 nm, indicative of improved smoothness. Moreover, the four-point probe detected enhanced electrical conductivity attributed to the compact structure and improved integrity of the films. The presence of nanoparticles facilitates the crystallization of ZnO sol, allowing for an annealing temperature during the welding process to as low as around 90°C, compatible with flexible plastic substrates such as PET. The welded ZnO films produced at a low temperature in this study demonstrate high potential as ETL for flexible optoelectronic devices, which is conducive to their commercialization and large-scale deployment.

Improvement of X-ray Photoelectric Conversion Performance of MAPbI3 Perovskite Crystals by Ionic Liquid Treatment

Although perovskite has great potential in optoelectronic devices, the simultaneous satisfaction of material stability and high performance is still an issue that needs to be solved. Most perovskite optoelectronic devices use quantum dot spin coating or the gas-phase growth of perovskite thin films as the photoelectric conversion layer. Due to stability limitations, these materials often experience a significant decrease in photoelectric conversion efficiency when encountering liquid reagents. The self-assembled growth of hybrid perovskite crystals determines superior lattice ordering and stability. There are three types of ionic liquids—[Emim]BF4, EMIMNTF2, and HMITFSI—that can effectively enhance the X-ray photoelectric conversion performance of hybrid perovskite crystal CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3), and the enhancement in the photocurrent leads to an improvement in the sensitivity of X-ray detectors. We soak the perovskite crystals in an ionic liquid and perform two treatment methods: electrification and dilution with ETOH solution. It is interesting to find that MAPbI3 perovskite single crystal materials choose the same optimized ionic liquid species in X-ray detection and photovoltaic power generation applications, and the effect is quite the opposite. Compared with untreated MAPbI3 crystals, the average photocurrent density of Electrify-HMITFSI MAPbI3 increased by 826.85% under X-ray excitation and the sensitivity of X-ray detectors made from these treated MAPbI3 crystals significantly increased by 72.6%, but the intensity of the PL spectrum decreased to 90% of the untreated intensity.

Annual performance study and optimization of concentrated photovoltaic-phase change material system

Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) has the superiority of high efficiency and low cost. But the waste heat generated in PV cell has great effect on its performance. To study and optimize the real time photoelectric conversion performance, a two-dimensional PV model was firstly established. The impacts of concentration ratio and PV temperature on efficiency were investigated, and the correlation was derived. Based on that, phase change material (PCM) was utilized to realize temperature control of PV cell and a three-dimensional transient model for CPV-PCM system was established. The impacts of geometric parameters on the transient and annual performance were evaluated under the real climate conditions. The results show that concentration ratio has significant impacts on both thermal and electrical performance, and there exists an optimal concentration ratio to maximize the PV efficiency. At last, the system structure was optimized by orthogonal experimental method with annual average efficiency as the target. The optimal parameters combination was derived with concentration ratio of 300, PCM layer height of 60 mm, and fin number of 7. The validation results show that after optimizing, the maximum PV temperatures in summer and autumn are reduced by 9.4 °C and 7.4 °C, respectively, and the annual average efficiency of the system is improved by 1.83%.

Ratiometric fluoroprobe based on Eu-MOF@Tb3+ for detecting tetracycline hydrochloride in freshwater fish and its application in rapid visual detection

Tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH), a prevalent antibiotic in aquaculture for treating bacterial infections, poses challenges for on-site detection. This study employed the reversed-phase microemulsion method to synthesize a uniform nano metal-organic framework (MOF) material, europium-benzene-p-dicarboxylic acid (Eu-BDC), doped with Tb3+ to form a dual-emission fluorescence probe. By leveraging the combined a-photoinduced electron-transfer (a-PET) and inner filter effect (IFE) mechanisms, high-sensitivity TCH detection in Carassius auratus and Ruditapes philippinarum was achieved. The detection range for TCH is 0.380–75 μM, with a low limit of detection (LOD) at 0.115 μM. Upon TCH binding, Eu-BDC fluorescence rapidly decreased, while Tb3+ fluorescence remained constant, establishing a ratiometric fluorescence change. Investigation into the TCH quenching mechanism on Eu-BDC was conducted using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations and fluorescence quenching kinetic equations, suggesting a mixed quenching mechanism. Furthermore, a novel photoelectric conversion fluorescence detection device (FL-2) was developed and evaluated in conjunction with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). This is the first dedicated fluorescence device for TCH detection, showcasing superior photoelectric conversion performance and stability that reduces experimental errors associated with smartphone photography methods, presenting a promising avenue for on-site rapid TCH detection.

Element Regulation and Dimensional Engineering Co-Optimization of Perovskite Memristors for Synaptic Plasticity Applications.

Capitalizing on rapid carrier migration characteristics and outstanding photoelectric conversion performance, halide perovskite memristors demonstrate an exceptional resistive switching performance. However, they have consistently faced constraints due to material stability issues. This study systematically employs elemental modulation and dimension engineering to effectively control perovskite memristors with different dimensions and A-site elements. Compared to pure 3D and 2D perovskites, the quasi-2D perovskite memristor, specifically BA0.15MA0.85PbI3, is identified as the optimal choice through observations of resistive switching (HRS current < 10-5 A, ON/OFF ratio > 103, endurance cycles > 1000, and retention time > 104 s) and synaptic plasticity characteristics. Subsequently, a comprehensive investigation into various synaptic plasticity aspects, including paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), spike-variability-dependent plasticity (SVDP), spike-rate-dependent plasticity (SRDP), and spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), is conducted. Practical applications, such as memory-forgetting-memory and recognition of the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology (MNIST) database handwritten data set (accuracy rate reaching 94.8%), are explored and successfully realized. This article provides good theoretical guidance for synaptic-like simulation in perovskite memristors.

Ligand-controlled photocatalysis of sulfur dots/MoS2 nanocomposite for degradation of dye and antibiotic

Manipulating surface organic ligands has emerged as a useful strategy to enhance the efficiency of catalysis. Here, a novel photocatalyst of S dots/MoS2 nanocomposite with the ligand of polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG) or poly (sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) was synthesized. Compared to pure S dots and MoS2, S dots/MoS2 nanocomposite modified with PEG inhibited the photocatalytic activity, while the S dots/MoS2 nanocomposite modified with PSS exhibited improved photocatalysis efficiency. And degradation efficiency of S dots/MoS2-PSS was achieved to be 88% (120 min) and 83% (90 min) for degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and Doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX), respectively. It was found that the ligand mainly affect the energy gap and the conduction band potential of the photocatalyst, leading to different photocatalysis activity. When S dots-PSS and MoS2 were combined, the photoelectric conversion performance was enhanced and the recombine of the photogenerated carriers were depressed. And the low conduction band potential of photogenerated electron facilitate to produce of •OH and •O2- radical. This study provides a new photocatalysts and also give a reference on the ligands option of designing efficient photocatalysts.

High photoelectric conversion efficiency and fast relaxation time of FA0.4MA0.6PbI3 applied in ultrafast modulation of terahertz waves

Active control of terahertz (THz) waves is attracting tremendous attentions in terahertz communications and active photonic devices. Perovskite, due to its excellent photoelectric conversion performance and simple manufacturing process, has emerged as a promising candidate for optoelectronic applications. However, the exploration of perovskites in optically controlled THz modulators is still limited. In this work, the photoelectric properties and carrier dynamics of FA0.4MA0.6PbI3 perovskite films were investigated by optical pumped terahertz probe (OPTP) system. The ultrafast carrier dynamics reveal that FA0.4MA0.6PbI3 thin film exhibits rapid switching and relaxation time within picosecond level, suggesting that FA0.4MA0.6PbI3 is an ideal candidate for active THz devices with ultrafast response. Furthermore, as a proof of concept, a FA0.4MA0.6PbI3-based metadevice with integrating plasma-induced transparency (PIT) effect was fabricated to achieve ultrafast modulation of THz wave. The experimental results demonstrated that the switching time of FA0.4MA0.6PbI3-based THz modulator is near to 3.5 ps, and the threshold of optical pump is as low as 12.7 μJ cm−2. The simulation results attribute the mechanism of ultrafast THz modulation to photo-induced free carriers in the FA0.4MA0.6PbI3 layer, which progressively shorten the capacitive gap of PIT resonator. This study not only illuminates the potential of FA0.4MA0.6PbI3 in THz modulation, but also contributes to the field of ultrafast photonic devices.

A strategy for boosting photovoltaic performance based on a two-dimensional ZrSSe/HfSSe van der Waals heterostructure.

Identifying high-efficiency solar photovoltaic systems with two-dimensional (2D) materials is still an urgent challenge to meet modern energy requirements. Very recently, a 2D heterostructure with type-II band alignment has been confirmed to be more favorable for application in photoelectric conversion. However, the staggered band offset of 2D type-II heterostructures cannot always be guaranteed, nor the intrinsic hindrance mechanism of carrier recombination being clear. In this study, taking the emerging ZrSSe/HfSSe van der Waals heterostructure (vdWH) as a generic example, a boosting strategy for improving the photoelectric performances of 2D vdWHs is proposed. Through a series of in-depth systematic research studies based on first-principles, we demonstrate that via applying a vertical strain, an anticipated band alignment transition from type-I to favorable type-II of this ZrSSe/HfSSe vdWH can be induced due to the interfacial charge redistribution, during which a corresponding enlarged photocurrent can be detected from the latter based device compared to the former. Essentially, such enhanced photocurrent at the incident photon energy (Eph) around the band gap is attributed to the suppressed recombination rate of photoexcited carriers. Moreover, when Eph is increased into the visible light region, the photoelectric conversion performances can be further controlled by vertical strain. These generalized findings not only provide an effective manipulation strategy for enhancing the performances of 2D solar photovoltaic systems, but the intrinsic physical mechanism can also be extended to the next practical design and regulation of other 2D photovoltaic devices.

Preparation of two-dimensional perovskite layer by solution method for improving stability of FAPbI&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; perovskite solar cells

Organic-inorganic metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been widely studied due to their excellent photoelectric conversion performance, but the inherent chemical instability of CH(NH&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;)&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;PbI&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; (FAPbI&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;) hinders its sustainable development. In particular, the surface interface of the membrane has prominent humidity sensitivity due to lower activation energy, the defect of the surface interface has a strong correlation with the film stability, and the treatment result of the defect is one of the key factors to improve the long-term stability. The FAPbI&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; suffers phase transition from black perovskite phase to yellow non-perovskite phase at room temperature, and the moisture will accelerate this phase transition. Interface engineering is one of the common methods to improve the stability of perovskite solar cells. In addition to interface engineering, there is a strategy of stacking a two-dimensional (2D) perovskite layer on the surface for interface passivation. However, most of the preparation methods of 2D perovskite layer have limitations. In this work, the full solution method and post-treatment mode of annealing are adopted, the hybrid perovskite solar cells of vitamin perovskite are successfully fabricated. The FAPbI&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; perovskite surface is uniformly spin-coated with butylamine iodide (BAI) solution, and the formation of 2D perovskite is driven on the surface of FAPbI&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; perovskite. Due to the passivation of surface interface defects by the 2D perovskite layer, the non-radiative recombination of charge carriers is reduced, greatly improving the carrier lifetime. Because of the hydrophobicity of long chain molecules in 2D perovskite, the long-term stability of the device is significantly improved. Consequently, the unencapsulated device containing 2D perovskite layer remains above 80% after operating at room temperature in ambient air with a relative humidity (RH) of 60% for nearly 1000 hours. The 2D perovskite layer can significantly improve the long-term stability of the film without affecting the charge carrier transport performance. This method of improving the stability of the device by constructing 2D perovskite layer is in line with the requirements and development trend of high-quality perovskite solar cells, and is a strategy with great development potential.

UV-Durable Fully-Printed Carbon-Based Multi-Porous-Layered-Electrode Perovskite Solar Cells Using SrTiO3 Electron Transport Layer

Carbon-based multi-porous-layered-electrode perovskite solar cells (MPLE-PSC) using porous carbon as the back electrode have excellent performance stability against high temperature and high humidity environments at a low cost. However, the stability of MPLE-PSC under ultraviolet light has not improved yet. This is due to the photocatalytic effect of TiO2, which is commonly used as an electron transport layer in MPLE-PSC. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the electron transport material and ultraviolet light stability in MPLE-PSC. MPLE-PSC with TiO2 or SrTiO3 as the electron transport layer were fabricated and photoelectric conversion performance of them were compared. As a result, the performance of solar cells using TiO2 decreased to 80 % of the initial performance after 2 hours of ultraviolet light irradiation. In contrast, no performance degradation was observed in solar cells using SrTiO3. Therefore, the SrTiO3 electron transport layer can be proposed as a solution to improve the ultraviolet light stability of solar cells.

Modification of alkali metal nanoparticles for enhanced light absorption and photoemission of InGaN nanowire arrays

Due to the important role played by local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the fields of photocatalysis and solar cells, this article investigates InGaN nanowire arrays adsorbed by alkali metal (Li, Na, K, Cs) nanoparticles from two perspectives of light absorption and quantum efficiency. We simulate and model the structural parameters of nanoparticles, including their shape, position and size. The results show that Na nanoparticles have the best effect on improving the photoelectric conversion performance in the visible band. Although large diameters and high density nanoparticles can bring optical gain, their own losses will also increase. The relationship between the two should be balanced in the design. InGaN nanowires modified with Na nanoparticles with diameters of 20 nm and spacings of 50 nm can achieve optimal light absorption and photoemission in the visible range. Our research will contribute to the development of efficient visible light photocathodes.