Short-circuit Current Density Research Articles

Fabrication and characterization of methylammonium lead iodide-based perovskite solar cells under ambient conditions

<p>This study investigated the fabrication and characterization of CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub> based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using the one-step spin coating technique under ambient conditions, eliminating the need for expensive glovebox and thermal evaporation equipment. The perovskite layer was annealed at 65 °C for 30 seconds and 100 °C for 30 seconds, 1 and 2 minutes. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show a smooth and uniform surface coverage for the ETL and CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub> layers. SEM results also show an average grain size of 397 nm for CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub> and an average particle size of ~17 nm for TiO<sub>2</sub> was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the formation of tetragonal perovskite (CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub>) phase with high crystallinity with a crystallite size of 19.99 nm for the samples annealed for 30 seconds at 65 °C and 1 min at 100 °C. FTIR results also confirmed the presence of anatase TiO2 at wavenumber 438 cm<sup>-1</sup> and the formation of the adduct of Pb<sub>2</sub> with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and MAI is confirmed at 1,015 cm<sup>-1</sup> . From the Tauc plot the bandgap energy of TiO2 and Perovskite layers was determined to be 3.52 eV and 2.06 eV respectively. An open-circuit voltage was 0.9057 V and short circuit current density was 12.2185 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> with a fill factor of 48.05 and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.199%.</p>

Predicting photovoltaic parameters of perovskite solar cells using machine learning.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered significant attention owing to their highly power conversion efficiency (PCE) and cost-effectiveness. Traditionally, screening for PSCs with superior photovoltaic parameters relies on resource-intensive trial-and-error experiments. Nowadays, time-saving machine learning (ML) techniques serve as an artificial intelligence approach to expedite the prediction of photovoltaic parameters using accumulated research datasets. In this study, we employ seven supervised ML methods to forecast key photovoltaic parameters for PSCs such as PCE, Short-Circuit Current Density (Jsc), Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc), and Fill Factor (FF). Particularly, we design an artificial neural network (ANN) architecture that incorporates residual connectivity and layer normalization after the linear layers to enhance the scope and adaptability of the network. For PCE and Jsc, ANN demonstrates superior prediction accuracy, yielding root mean square errors of 2.632% and 2.244 mA/cm2, respectively. The Random Forest (RF) model exhibits exceptional prediction performance for Voc and FF. Additionally, an interpretability analysis of the model is conducted to elucidate the impact of features on PCE prediction, offering a novel approach for accurate and interpretable ML methods in the context of PSCs.

Simulation and optimization of 30.17% high performance N-type TCO-free inverted perovskite solar cell using inorganic transport materials

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained much attention in recent years because of their improved energy conversion efficiency, simple fabrication process, low processing temperature, flexibility, light weight, and low cost of constituent materials when compared with their counterpart silicon based solar cells. Besides, stability and toxicity of PSCs and low power conversion efficiency have been an obstacle towards commercialization of PSCs which has attracted intense research attention. In this research paper, a Glass/Cu2O/CH3NH3SnI3/ZnO/Al inverted device structure which is made of cheap inorganic materials, n-type transparent conducting oxide (TCO)-free, stable, photoexcited toxic-free perovskite have been carefully designed, simulated and optimized using a one-dimensional solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D) software. The effects of layers’ thickness, perovskite’s doping concentration and back contact electrodes have been investigated, and the optimized structure produced an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.0867 V, short circuit current density (JSC) of 33.4942 mA/cm2, fill factor (FF) of 82.88% and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 30.17%. This paper presents a model that is first of its kind where the highest PCE performance and eco-friendly n-type TCO-free inverted CH3NH3SnI3 based perovskite solar cell is achieved using all-inorganic transport materials.

Simultaneous enhancement of photocurrent and open circuit voltage in ternary organic solar cells by red fluorescent material as third component materials

Ternary organic solar cells (OSCs) were constructed using D18-Cl:Y6 as the host photoactive layer and the red fluorescent material [4-(dicyano-methylene)-2-methyl-6-(p-dimethyl aminostyryl)-4H-pyran] (DCM) as the third component material. The optimized ternary OSCs (optimized weight ratio of D18-Cl:Y6:DCM is 1:1.4:0.1) showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.36 %, a short-circuit current density (JSC) of 26.79 mA cm−2, an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.89 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 72.8 %. Since the absorption peak of DCM is located in the red light region and the photoluminescence peak of DCM is covered by the absorption peak of D18-Cl, DCM significantly improves the short-wavelength light absorption of the optimized ternary photoactive layer and facilitates the energy transfer from DCM to D18-Cl. While increasing the DCM content, the LUMO level of the blend acceptor is shifted upwards, which favors the VOC value. However, excessive amount of DCM would damage the phase separation, bulk and surface morphology of the ternary film. The results showed that the red fluorescent material DCM has great potential as a third component material for realizing highly efficient ternary OSCs.

Simulation research of hole transport layer free CsPbI3/MAPbI3 heterojunction perovskite solar cells with an efficiency of 30.33 %

Constructing inorganic perovskite/organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite bilayer heterojunction perovskite solar cells (HPSC) could make far-reaching changes in solar cell power conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, a carbon-based hole transport layer (HTL) free CsPbI3/MAPbI3 HPSC was designed and optimized by one-dimensional solar cell capacitance (SCAPS-1D) software. The film thickness, bulk defect density and doping concentration of each perovskite light absorption layer, and the interface defect density, the electrode work function and the operating temperature changes effect on the device performances were investigated. Under optimized conditions, the HPSC obtained the open circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.43 V, short circuit current density (JSC) of 23.39 mA cm−2, fill factor (FF) of 90.67 % and PCE of 30.33 %, which was much superior than the single junction perovskite solar cell due to the suited energy band structure.

Se Inter-Diffusion Limits Absorber Layer Grain Growth in CdSe - CdTe Photovoltaics

<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline" overflow="scroll"><mml:mi>Se</mml:mi></mml:math> Inter-Diffusion Limits Absorber Layer Grain Growth in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline" overflow="scroll"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>Cd</mml:mi><mml:mi>Se</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math> - <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline" overflow="scroll"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>Cd</mml:mi><mml:mi>Te</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math> Photovoltaics

Improved performance of ternary organic solar cells based on both bulk and pseudo-planar heterojunction active layer

The high photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of ternary organic solar cells (OSCs) based on PTB7-Th, PC71BM and IEICO-4F material is obtained, the short-circuit current density (J SC), fill factor (FF), and open-circuit voltage is 25.90 mA cm−2, 73.20% and 0.71 V, respectively. PCE is as high as 13.53%. It is the highest PCE of ternary OSCs based on PTB7-Th, PC71BM and IEICO-4F materials for all we know. The narrow bandgap material of IEICO-4F is deposited on PTB7-Th:PC71BM bulk heterojunction (BHJ) by layer-by-layer process. We constructed the dual bandgap active layer both BHJ and pseudo-planar heterojunction (P-PHJ), it could be defined as ternary BHJ/P-PHJ of OSCs. This type of OSCs is not only the complementary bandgap material of the active layer, but also increasing the donor/acceptor (D/A) interface. The excitons generation and collection of the device are increased leading a higher J SC and FF. The semitransparent OSCs (ST-OSCs) is prepared by varying the thickness of Ag electrode and PCE can reach 9.70%, and the average visible light transmittance and light use efficiency of ST-OSCs are improved effectively.

Impact of La doping on the optoelectronic and structural properties of CsPbIBr2 perovskite solar cell

Inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells (IPSC) have high power conversion efficiency (PCE). Currently, heteroatom substitution is a promising method for enhancing the properties of perovskite materials and the performance of associated devices. This study outlines the production process of a perovskite solar cell made from inorganic CsPbIBr2 with a 4 % La doping. The cubic crystal structure with large grain size and small band gap energy is observed at 4 % La–CsPbIBr2. The optoelectronic and structural characteristics of CsPbIBr2 perovskite solar cells have been substantiated through various methodologies, such as the determination of space charge restricted current, examination of the photoluminescence decay profile, assessment of charge transfer resistance, and utilization of Mott Schottky analysis. The incorporation of lanthanum-doped cesium lead iodide bromide (La-doped CsPbIBr2) resulted in a notable enhancement in both the open circuit voltage (Voc), and the short circuit current density (Jsc), leading to a much higher overall efficiency of 9.89 % compared to the pristine counterpart, which exhibited an efficiency of 8.62 %.

Acceptor molecules with Carbon–Carbon singly bonded central and terminal units for efficient P3HT-based organic solar cells

Herein, we synthesized two small molecules named as 4TBTCN and 6TBTCN with strongly electron-rich 4,4,9,9-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-4,9-dihydrothieno[3′,2′:4,5]cyclopenta[1,2-b]thieno[2″,3′′:3′,4′]cyclopenta[1′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3-d]thiophene or 6,6,12,12-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-6,12-dihydrothieno[2″,3′′:4′,5′]thieno[3′,2′:4,5]cyclopenta[1,2-b]thieno[2‴,3‴:4″,5′′]thieno[2″,3′′:3′,4′]cyclopenta[1′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3-d]thiophene as central unit and weak electron-withdrawing benzo[c] [1,2,5] thiadiazole-4-carbonitrile as termini, which were connected by C–C single bond. Both molecules exhibited medium optical bandgap and high-lying frontier molecular orbital energy levels, which were matched with those of the representative low-cost polymer donor P3HT. Moreover, 4TBTCN and 6TBTCN showed high stability under continuous illumination and base condition, owing to a lack of exocyclic vinyl group between the central unit and end group. Compared to P3HT:6TBTCN, P3HT:4TBTCN blend system displayed lower miscibility and thus more distinct phase separation, leading to more efficient charge transport and collection. Although the LUMO energy level of 4TBTCN was 0.15 eV deeper than that of 6TBTCN, the energy loss for P3HT:4TBTCN based device was similar to that of P3HT:6TBTCN based device. As a result, P3HT:4TBTCN based device displayed a similar open-circuit voltage but higher fill factor and short-circuit current density, yielding a superior power conversion efficiency, in comparison to P3HT:6TBTCN based device. This work provides a new strategy for design of efficient and stable acceptor molecules.

Theoretical exploration of copper based electrolytes for third generation dye sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) present a promising avenue for addressing the escalating need for clean energy solutions. These innovative cells offer a sustainable approach to meet the rising demands for environmentally friendly power sources. An assessment was conducted on a copper complex containing a hexadentate ligand, serving as a redox shuttle, alongside triphenylamine-based organic dyes in the construction of DSSC. This study thoroughly investigates the electronic structures, FMO, MEP surfaces, and photophysical properties of copper redox shuttle and triphenylamine dyes employing DFT and TDDFT calculations. The copper system, [Cu(bpyPY4)]2+/+, analyzed in this study, is anchored by the hexadentate polypyridyl ligand bpyPY4 (6,6′-bis(1,1-di(pyridine-2-yl)ethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine), scrutinized as a redox shuttle (RS). The assessed redox potential for [Cu(bpyPY4)]2+/+ is −4.67 eV. This indicates that the dye can effectively undergo regeneration by transferring electrons from the reduced form of the redox shuttle to the oxidized form of the dye. The photovoltaic efficiency has been analyzed with regard to various factors, including the energy gap between the HOMO and LUMO, the excited-state oxidation potential (Edye*), electron injection ability (∆Ginj), electron regeneration (∆Greg), light harvesting efficiency, short-circuit current density (JSC) and the open-circuit voltage (Voc). This study sheds light on present-day developments and forthcoming prospects in utilizing 3d transition metal-based redox shuttles, presenting them as compelling candidates for integration with organic dyes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). This integration holds promise for more efficient solar spectrum absorption and enhanced performance of solar devices.

OPTIMIZATION OF THE PEROVSKITE SOLAR CELL STRUCTURE

An experimental perovskite solar cell (PSC) with the structure Au/Spiro-MeOTAD/CH3NH3PbI3/PEDOT:PSS/ITO was fabricated. The measurements of main photovoltaic characteristics were provided. The current-voltage dependences (I-V curves) were measured conducted in the voltage range from -1V to 1V. During the measurements, the corresponding values were calculated of the short-circuit current density(Jsc) and open-circuit voltage(Uoc) were obtained as 1.23 mA/cm² and 0.19 V, respectively. Subsequently, an analytical model corresponding to this structure was formulated. For modeling the parameters of the perovskite solar cell, the Comsol Multiphysics environment was used, this environment is based on the finite element method. The relevant computations were provided to obtain the corresponding values of the short-circuit current density and open-circuit voltage as 3.29 mA/cm² and 0.2 V, respectively, with the maximum theoretically calculated power of this structure being 0.11 W. The experimental outcomes were juxtaposed with the predictions of the analytical computations, and the modeling results were empirically validated. An analytically accomplished model of the same structure was built by adding an electron transport layer (ETL). An organic material BCP (Bathocuproine) was used as an supplementary ETL layer. During the optimization of the PSC, the main datums were mathematically counted. Such values as the short-circuit current density of 10.17 mA/cm², open-circuit voltage of 1.2 V, and the maximum power value of Au/BCP/Spiro-MeOTAD/CH3NH3PbI3/PEDOT:PSS/ITO structure, which is 3.21 W were rated. A comparison of the volt-ampere characteristics of perovskite cells in dark and light modes was conducted for primary and optimized structures. The main parameters, obtained during the modeling of the experimental sample and subsequent model optimization, were compared. Specifically one of the key parameters of solar cell heterostructures the fill factor was evaluated and found to have increased from 16.52% to 25.00%, respectively. The light-sensitive behavior of the perovskite cell were visibly enhanced.

Development of pyrargyrite Ag3SbS3 absorber films through sulfurization of Ag–Sb stacks for thin-film photovoltaics

Pyrargyrite Ag3SbS3, which consists of naturally abundant and non-toxic elements, has attracted attention as a promising solar cell material. A two-stage fabrication method has been developed to synthesize Ag3SbS3 thin films through a solid-state reaction between Sb and Ag metallic layers by sulfurizing at 250–350 oC. The Ag3SbS3 film prepared at a sulfurization temperature of 250 °C contained Ag2S and Sb2S3 secondary phases with non-stoichiometric composition, distinct grain growth, a bandgap energy of 1.4 eV, and an electrical resistivity of 5.74 × 10−4 Ω cm. Through sulfurization of the stacks at 300 °C, the Ag2S and Sb2S3 secondary phases disappeared, and dominant Ag3SbS3 films were obtained with a minor AgSbS2 secondary phase. A compact and uniform near-stoichiometric Ag3SbS3 composition with large grains was obtained with an increased bandgap energy of 1.64 eV and electrical resistivity of 6.19 × 104 Ω cm. A further increase in the sulfurization temperature to 350 °C resulted in an increase in the crystallite and grain sizes of Ag3SbS3 with a decreased bandgap energy of 1.62 eV and electrical resistivity of 2.90 × 104 Ω cm. AgSbS2 remained as a minor secondary phase in this film. Thin-film solar cells prepared with the Ag3SbS3 absorber synthesized at a sulfurization temperature of 300 °C exhibited an open-circuit voltage of 473.85 mV, short-circuit current density of 1.47 mA/cm2, fill factor of 41.6 %, and an efficiency of 0.3 %. These results demonstrate that Ag3SbS3 is a potential candidate for thin-film solar cells.

Thymus schimperi Ronniger plant flowers extracted dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract Today’s energy demand is highly increased with the world’s population growth and technological advancement. Natural dye-sensitized solar cells (N-DSSCs) are attracting research areas as an alternative and renewable energy source due to their simple preparation technique, availability, cost-effectiveness, and environmentally friendliness. In the present work, we have successfully fabricated DSSC from Thymus schimperi Ronniger plant flowers for the first time. The solvents used for extraction of the flower dye were deionized water and its mixture with ethanol. The Thymus schimperi Ronniger flowers extracted dye solutions and sensitized photoanodes were characterized by FTIR and UV-Vis characterization techniques. The crystallinity of TiO2 film was analyzed by the XRD technique and shows pure anatase phase behavior. The photoelectrochemical solar cell performance parameters, like, short circuit current density (JSC), open circuit voltage VOC), fill factor (FF), and efficiency were evaluated from the current density-voltage (J-V) measurement using a Keithley 2450 source meter. DSSC sensitized with extracted dye solution by the mixture of water and ethanol showed better performance (1.37%) as compared with that of extracted dye solution by Deionized water alone (1,02%). &amp;#xD;&amp;#xD;Keywords: Renewable energy, Dye-sensitized solar cells, Thymus Schimperi Ronniger, photoelectrochemical&amp;#xD;

Filtered spectrum modeling of high-performance perovskite tandem solar cells: Tailoring absorber properties and electron/hole transport layers for 31.55 % efficiency

In this study, the perovskite tandem solar cell (TPSC) has been accomplished using SCAPS-1D. The present study focuses on comprehensive exploration and detailed optimization using various strategies constructing a tandem device. To calculate high photovoltaic power conversion efficiency (PCE), the numerical analysis has been carried out for a wide-bandgap halide (WBH) FA0.75Cs0·25Pb(I0·8Br0.2)3 of bandgap 1.67eV and a Pb–Sn based narrow-bandgap halide (NBH) FA0.7MA0.3Pb0·5Sn0·5I3 of bandgap 1.22eV as absorber layer in top-cell (TCELL) and bottom-cell (BCELL) respectively. The WBH has huge potential as a front light absorber and the NBH based BCELL provides stability and high performance by accepting high and low energy photons respectively. This method mitigates thermalization and non-absorbed photon loss which results in the growth in PCE. The proposed work demonstrates the impact of active-layer thickness along with defect density on the solar-cell parameters. It has been observed that defect density is low for the optimal performance. An investigation for various electron transport medium (ETMs) and hole transport medium (HTMs) has been done to secure an optimum performing TCELL as well as BCELL. Using filtered-spectrum study along with current-matching method, every PV metric parameter has been analyzed after their deployment into tandem configuration. The numerical investigation has shown promising photovoltaic parameters with aa high open circuit voltage (VOC) of 2.33 V, a short circuit current density (JSC) of 17.07 mA/cm2, a fill factor (FF) of 79.34 % and PCE of 31.55 % in tandem configuration.

Influence of inverted pyramid texturization on front metallization and performance of crystalline silicon solar cells

The silicon surface texturing is an essential part for the fabrication of crystalline silicon solar cells to increase the conversion efficiency. By adjusting the etching texturing condition, inverted pyramid (IP) and upright pyramid (UP) texturization were prepared on crystalline silicon substrates for fabrication of PERC solar cells. The surface morphology not only affects the light trapping but also impacts electrode shading loss and front electrode contact interface. The IP texturization presents better anti-reflective performance due to more common light paths and narrower silver grids owing to less flow of Ag paste on concave blocked structure, both of which results in the higher short-circuit current density (Jsc). Yet in terms of front Ag/Si contact interface, the IP texturization causes more Ag crystallites and more surface recombination under the present condition suitable for UP texturization because of more edges on the upper part of IP, which leads to the lower open-circuit voltage (Voc). The final conversion efficiency of IP solar cells (23.61 %) is 0.06 % higher than that of UP solar cells (23.55 %). An improvement about 0.07 mA/cm2 of Jsc was achieved with IP samples and Voc has a decrease of 0.3 mV caused by the surface recombination on IP texturization. In summary, the structural characteristics of IP results in lower reflectivity and less electrode shading, while Ag/Si contact interface could be optimized by adjusting the processing condition, ultimately promising the higher efficiency.

Formation of a potential barrier by a ZnSXSe1−X electron-blocking layer to improve the efficiency of CdSe0.3S0.7/CdSe quantum dot sensitized solar cells

We designed and fabricated multilayer quantum dots sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) with TiO2 NPs/CdSe0.3S0.7/CdSe/ZnSXSe1−X, X = S/S + Se = 0, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1 photoelectrodes to achieve optimum power conversion efficiency (PCE). In the corresponding structure, incoming light is absorbed by the CdSe0.3S0.7 and CdSe quantum dots (QDs), while the ZnSXSe1−X QDs act as an electron blocking layer or passivation layer, forming an energy barrier that restricts electron mobility from the light absorbers to the polysulfide electrolyte. The beneficial effect of the alloyed ZnSXSe1−X layer is the adjustability of its nanoparticle size/bandgap energy proportional to variations in the concentration of anionic precursors X, according to optical results. The PCE value of the reference cell with the TiO2 NPs/CdSe0.3S0.7/CdSe photoanode is 4.15 %. Following the coating of ZnSe, ZnS0.7Se0.3, ZnS0.8Se0.2, ZnS0.9Se0.1, and ZnS QDs via two successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) cycles (2Sc) on the CdSe0.3S0.7/CdSe co-sensitized photoelectrode increasing stability and improving the PCE value to 4.9 %, 5.40 %, 5.70, 5.25 %, and 5.05 %, respectively. Next, by modifying the thickness of the champion cell's passivation layer, the QDSCs with TiO2 NPs/CdSe0.3S0.7/CdSe/ZnS0.8Se0.2 (3Sc) photoelectrode exhibit maximum photovoltaic performance parameters of short circuit current density (JSC) = 26.25 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage (VOC) = 560 mV, fill factor (FF) = 0.42 % and PCE = 6.15 %. This improvement in performance is the result of decreased internal energy loss and recombination of charge carriers at the interface between the electrolyte and photoelectrode, which increases electron collection efficiency and electron injection efficiency in the visible region according to the external and internal quantum efficiency curves.

Polyvinyl Chloride-Based Luminescent Downshifting Film with High Flame Retardancy and Excellent UV Resistance for Silicon Solar Cells.

Solar power generation, as a clean energy source, has significant potential for development. This work reports the recent efforts to address the challenge of low power conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices by proposing the fabrication of a luminescence downshifting layer using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with added fluorescent dots to enhance light utilization. A photoluminescent microsphere (HCPAM) is synthesized by cross-linking hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, 2-iminobenzimidazoline, and polyethyleneimine. Low addition of HCPAM can improve the fire safety of PVC films, raising the limiting oxygen index of PVC to 32.4% and reducing the total heat release and smoke production rate values by 14.5% and 42.9%, respectively. Additionally, modified PVC film remains a transparency of 88% and shows down-conversion light properties. When the PVC+1%HCPAM film is applied to the solar cell, the short-circuit current density increases from 42.3 to 43.8mAcm-2, resulting in a 7.0% enhancement in power conversion efficiency. HCPAM also effectively delays the photooxidative aging of PVC, particularly at a 3% content, maintaining the surface morphology and optical properties of PVC samples during ultraviolet aging. This study offers an innovative strategy to enhance the fire and UV-resistant performance of PVC films and expand their applications in protecting and efficiently utilizing photovoltaic devices.

Analysis of lead free CsSnBr3 based perovskite solar cells utilizing numerical modeling

In this study, we propose several CsSnBr3-based PSC configurations using the Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS-1D), incorporating various efficient Electron transport layers (ETLs) such as TiO2, PCBM, WS2, SnO2, ZnO, IGZO, C60, and Hole transport layers (HTLs) like CBTS, CFTS, CuO, CuI, Spiro-OMeTAD, PEDOT:PSS, P3HT, CuSbS2, CuSCN, and Cu2O. Numerical simulation results reveal that the device structure ITO/WS2/CsSnBr3/Cu2O/Au exhibits outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE), retaining the closest photovoltaic parameter values among 70 different configurations. In this configuration, WS2 served as the ETL, and Cu2O acted as the HTL. This device achieved an outstanding peak PCE of 20.02%. It also boasted a high open circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.23 V, a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 19.32 mA cm−2, and an impressive fill factor (FF) of 84.18%. In comparison, devices utilizing materials like TiO2, PCBM, SnO2, ZnO, IGZO, and C60 yielded PCE values of 19.72, 19.73, 19.72, 19.73, 19.72, and 15.60%, respectively. Furthermore, for the seven best-performing configurations, we investigated the effects of CsSnBr3 absorber thickness, absorber-acceptor doping density (NA), conduction band offset (CBO), ETL doping density (ND), Capacitance–Voltage (C-V), Mott–Schottky (M-S) characteristics, generation and recombination rates, series resistance (Rse), shunt resistance (Rsh), temperature, current–voltage characteristics (J-V), and quantum efficiency (QE) on performance metrics. Our findings indicate that all seven ETLs, when combined with Cu2O HTL, can serve as excellent materials for fabricating high-efficiency CsSnBr3-based PSCs with the ITO/ETL/CsSnBr3/Cu2O/Au structure. To validate our results, we compared the simulation outcomes obtained with SCAPS-1D for the best seven CsSnBr3-PSC configurations with previously published research works. This comprehensive simulation study opens a promising avenue for the cost-effective production of high-performance, lead-free CsSnBr3-based PSCs, contributing to a greener and pollution-free environment.

Performance improvement of an ultra-thin film CIGS tandem solar cell using new plasmonic cluster nanostructures

This work demonstrates an innovative plasmonic nanostructure configuration to enhance the performance of an ultra-thin film CIGS-based tandem solar cell. Silver nanoparticle clusters with optimized cubic and spherical shapes are incorporated into the bottom CIGS layer to create a light-trapping effect. The optimal nanoparticle dimensions and positioning are determined through analysis of optical and electrical parameters. The plasmonic nanostructures achieve a short-circuit current density of 20.24 mA/cm2 and a power conversion efficiency of 22.9 % - a 12.6 % enhancement over the non-plasmonic case. This improvement is attributed to the near-field enhancement from localized surface plasmon resonance, which significantly boosts the absorption in the critical long-wavelength region. The strategic use of plasmonic nanostructures proves effective in overcoming the light absorption limitations of ultra-thin CIGS tandem solar cells.

Optimizing thin-film silicon solar cells with nanostructured TiO2 and a silver back reflector for enhanced energy conversion efficiency

This paper investigates the improvement of energy conversion efficiency in thin-film silicon solar cells by employing periodic nanostructures of TiO2 on the silicon active layer and a back reflector featuring periodic nanostructures of silver. The objective is to increase the optical path length, enhance absorption probability for longer wavelengths, and subsequently improve solar cell performance. Three silicon-based solar cell configurations are proposed and simulated using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method to assess their performance. Electrical characteristics are obtained through the drift-diffusion method. The resulting short-circuit current density increased from 40.93 to 65.28 to 95.373mA/cm2 for the three cells, leading to significant improvements in conversion efficiency with observed values of 20.39%, 33.26%, and 47.28%, respectively, in the optimized structures. Furthermore, we compare the simulation results of the three structures with those of a reference structure and several structures previously proposed in the literature.