Short-circuit Research Articles

Multifunctional Silicon‐Based Composite Electrolyte Additive Enhances the Stability of the Lithium Metal Anode/Electrolyte Interface

AbstractThe high energy density of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) makes them a promising battery research target. However, the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) instability causes dendrite formation/growth and short circuits. Electrolyte engineering can regulate the intrinsic properties of the SEI due to the composition and properties of the SEI strongly depend on the electrolyte component. In this work, 2,4,6,8‐tetramethyl‐2,4,6,8‐tetravinylcyclotetra‐siloxane (V4) is paired with vinyl‐triethoxy‐silane (VTEO) to obtain a novel ester‐based electrolyte additive. Decomposition of V4 molecules into silicon‐based polymer‐rich SEI on the Li metal anode surface has been predicted theoretically and verified experimentally. Through ─CH═CH2 addition polymerization on the preformed silicon‐based polymer layers which originates from the decomposition of V4, VTEO molecules can be integrated into SEI films due to their “molecular bridge” structure. The organic functional group (─OCH2CH3) on VTEO molecules promotes Li+ transport kinetics and forms Si─O─Li bonds under the presence of OH−, improving anode interface stability. The experimental results show that the cycle life of the LFP‐Li full batteries is over 1000 and 500 cycles at 5 C and 10 C, respectively. This research elucidates a reliable strategy for constructing SEI film with high adhesion and long‐term viability on the Li metal anode.

Multifunctional Silicon‐Based Composite Electrolyte Additive Enhances the Stability of the Lithium Metal Anode/Electrolyte Interface

AbstractThe high energy density of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) makes them a promising battery research target. However, the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) instability causes dendrite formation/growth and short circuits. Electrolyte engineering can regulate the intrinsic properties of the SEI due to the composition and properties of the SEI strongly depend on the electrolyte component. In this work, 2,4,6,8‐tetramethyl‐2,4,6,8‐tetravinylcyclotetra‐siloxane (V4) is paired with vinyl‐triethoxy‐silane (VTEO) to obtain a novel ester‐based electrolyte additive. Decomposition of V4 molecules into silicon‐based polymer‐rich SEI on the Li metal anode surface has been predicted theoretically and verified experimentally. Through ─CH═CH2 addition polymerization on the preformed silicon‐based polymer layers which originates from the decomposition of V4, VTEO molecules can be integrated into SEI films due to their “molecular bridge” structure. The organic functional group (─OCH2CH3) on VTEO molecules promotes Li+ transport kinetics and forms Si─O─Li bonds under the presence of OH−, improving anode interface stability. The experimental results show that the cycle life of the LFP‐Li full batteries is over 1000 and 500 cycles at 5 C and 10 C, respectively. This research elucidates a reliable strategy for constructing SEI film with high adhesion and long‐term viability on the Li metal anode.

Interruption characteristic of 3%C5F10O/97%CO2 gas mixture in a 40.5 kV circuit breaker

The C5F10O/CO2 gas mixture is one of the most promising SF6 alternative gases at the present stage, which was initially applied in high-voltage electrical equipment. This paper mainly studies the interruption performance of 3%C5F10O/97%CO2 gas mixture (k = 3%) with a charging pressure of 0.6 MPa in high-voltage circuit breakers. First, the thermodynamic parameters, transport coefficient, and net radiation coefficient were calculated for k = 3%. On this basis, a 40.5 kV circuit breaker was used as a prototype to establish the magnetohydrody-namic model for breaking 20 kA short-circuit current, and the arc temperature and pressure distribution in the arc extinguishing chamber of the circuit breaker were calculated. The LC oscillation circuit was used to build an arc-extinguishing characteristic test platform to verify the accuracy of the numerical calculation. Finally, based on the Mayr arc model and the critical electric field strength, the post-arc thermal breakdown and electrical breakdown characteristics of SF6, CO2, and k = 3% were quantitatively analyzed. The results show that under 0.6 MPa, the thermal breakdown performance of k = 3% is about 89.7% of SF6, which is nearly twice higher than that of CO2 and has better thermal breaking ability. The electrical breakdown performance of k = 3% is about 20.4% of SF6, and the probability of electrical breakdown in the front end of the fixed contact is high. This problem should be paid attention to in the design of high-voltage circuit breakers. This study can provide a reference for the development and optimization of environmentally friendly high-voltage circuit breakers.

Anion and Cation Co-Doping of NiO for Transparent Photovoltaics and Smart Window Applications

Materials engineering based on metal oxides for manipulating the solar spectrum and producing solar energy have been under intense investigation over the last years. In this work, we present NiO thin films double doped with niobium (Nb) and nitrogen (N) as cation and anion dopants (NiO:(Nb,N)) to be used as p-type layers in all oxide transparent solar cells. The films were grown by sputtering a composite Ni-Nb target on room-temperature substrates in plasma containing 50% Ar, 25% O2, and 25% N2gases. The existence of Nb and N dopants in the NiO structure was confirmed by the Energy Dispersive X-Ray and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy techniques. The nominally undoped NiO film, which was deposited by sputtering a Ni target and used as the reference film, was oxygen-rich, single-phase cubic NiO, having a visible transmittance of less than 20%. Upon double doping with Nb and N the visible transmittance of NiO:(Nb,N) film increased to 60%, which was further improved after thermal treatment to around 85%. The respective values of the direct band gap in the undoped and double-doped films were 3.28 eV and 3.73 eV just after deposition, and 3.67 eV and 3.76 eV after thermal treatment. The changes in the properties of the films such as structural disorder, direct and indirect energy band gaps, Urbach tail states, and resistivity were correlated with the incorporation of Nb and N in their structure. The thermally treated NiO:(Nb,N) film was used to form a diode with a spin-coated two-layer, mesoporous on top of a compact, TiO2 film. The NiO:(Nb,N)/TiO2heterojunction exhibited visible transparency of around 80%, showed rectifying characteristics and the diode’s parameters were deduced using the I-V method. The diode revealed photovoltaic behavior upon illumination with UV light exhibiting a short circuit current density of 0.2 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltage of 500 mV. Improvements of the output characteristics of the NiO:(Nb,N)/TiO2 UV-photovoltaic by proper engineering of the individual layers and device processing procedures are addressed. Transparent NiO:(Nb,N) films can be potential candidates in all-oxide ultraviolet photovoltaics for tandem solar cells, smart windows, and other optoelectronic devices.

High-performance Piezoelectric Two-dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Organic piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) are attractive in harvesting mechanical energy for various self-powering systems. However, their practical applications are severely restricted by their low output open circuit voltage. To address this issue, herein, we prepared two two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs, CityU-13 and CityU-14), functionalized with fluorinated alkyl chains for PENGs. The piezoelectricity of both COFs was evidenced by switchable polarization, characteristic butterfly amplitude loops, phase hysteresis loops, conspicuous surface potentials and high piezoelectric coefficient value (d33). The PENGs fabricated with COFs displayed highest output open circuit voltages (60 V for CityU-13 and 50 V for CityU-14) and delivered satisfactory short circuit current with an excellent stability of over 600 seconds. The superior open circuit voltages of CityU-13 and CityU-14 rank in top 1 and 2 among all reported organic materials-based PENGs.

Anion and Cation Co-Doping of NiO for Transparent Photovoltaics and Smart Window Applications

Materials engineering based on metal oxides for manipulating the solar spectrum and producing solar energy have been under intense investigation over the last years. In this work, we present NiO thin films double doped with niobium (Nb) and nitrogen (N) as cation and anion dopants (NiO:(Nb,N)) to be used as p-type layers in all oxide transparent solar cells. The films were grown by sputtering a composite Ni-Nb target on room-temperature substrates in plasma containing 50% Ar, 25% O2, and 25% N2gases. The existence of Nb and N dopants in the NiO structure was confirmed by the Energy Dispersive X-Ray and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy techniques. The nominally undoped NiO film, which was deposited by sputtering a Ni target and used as the reference film, was oxygen-rich, single-phase cubic NiO, having a visible transmittance of less than 20%. Upon double doping with Nb and N the visible transmittance of NiO:(Nb,N) film increased to 60%, which was further improved after thermal treatment to around 85%. The respective values of the direct band gap in the undoped and double-doped films were 3.28 eV and 3.73 eV just after deposition, and 3.67 eV and 3.76 eV after thermal treatment. The changes in the properties of the films such as structural disorder, direct and indirect energy band gaps, Urbach tail states, and resistivity were correlated with the incorporation of Nb and N in their structure. The thermally treated NiO:(Nb,N) film was used to form a diode with a spin-coated two-layer, mesoporous on top of a compact, TiO2 film. The NiO:(Nb,N)/TiO2heterojunction exhibited visible transparency of around 80%, showed rectifying characteristics and the diode’s parameters were deduced using the I-V method. The diode revealed photovoltaic behavior upon illumination with UV light exhibiting a short circuit current density of 0.2 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltage of 500 mV. Improvements of the output characteristics of the NiO:(Nb,N)/TiO2 UV-photovoltaic by proper engineering of the individual layers and device processing procedures are addressed. Transparent NiO:(Nb,N) films can be potential candidates in all-oxide ultraviolet photovoltaics for tandem solar cells, smart windows, and other optoelectronic devices.

High‐performance Piezoelectric Two‐dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks

Organic piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) are attractive in harvesting mechanical energy for various self‐powering systems. However, their practical applications are severely restricted by their low output open circuit voltage. To address this issue, herein, we prepared two two‐dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs, CityU‐13 and CityU‐14), functionalized with fluorinated alkyl chains for PENGs. The piezoelectricity of both COFs was evidenced by switchable polarization, characteristic butterfly amplitude loops, phase hysteresis loops, conspicuous surface potentials and high piezoelectric coefficient value (d33). The PENGs fabricated with COFs displayed highest output open circuit voltages (60 V for CityU‐13 and 50 V for CityU‐14) and delivered satisfactory short circuit current with an excellent stability of over 600 seconds. The superior open circuit voltages of CityU‐13 and CityU‐14 rank in top 1 and 2 among all reported organic materials‐based PENGs.

Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy and Electrochemical Atomic Force Microscopy Investigations of Lithium Nucleation and Growth: Influence of the Electrode Surface Potential.

Lithium metal is promising for high-capacity batteries because of its high theoretical specific capacity of 3860 mAh g-1 and low redox potential of -3.04 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode. However, it encounters challenges, such as dendrite formation, which poses risks of short circuits and safety hazards. This study examines Li deposition using electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). KPFM provides insights into local surface potential, while EC-AFM captures the surface response evolution to electrochemical reactions. We selectively removed metallic coatings from current collectors to compare lithium deposition on coated and exposed copper surfaces. Observations from the Ag-coated Cu (Ag/Cu), Pt-coated Cu (Pt/Cu), and Au-coated Cu (Au/Cu) samples revealed variations in lithium deposition. Ag/Cu and Au/Cu exhibited two-dimensional growth, whereas Pt/Cu exhibited three-dimensional growth, highlighting the impact of electrode materials on morphology. These insights advance the development of safer lithium metal batteries.

Preparation and Electrical Performance Analysis of a GaAs‐Based Tritium Battery

A nuclear battery is a promising candidate for small power supply sources in the military and commercial fields, but its output power and energy conversion efficiency need to be improved. This paper mainly describes a design, preparation, and electrical performance analysis of a GaAs-based tritium battery. The design of the tritium battery uses a multistage process with Monte Carlo and Matlab simulations. A titanium tritide source was prepared by a high-temperature tritium absorption device, and a GaAs semiconductor transducer was developed using a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition method. The D/Ti ratio and T/Ti ratio of the deuterium/tritium titanium films were 1.9 and 1.7, respectively. Two kinds of GaAs-based PIN junction semiconductor transducers were proposed and irradiated with the prepared tritium source. Their electrical properties were measured in situ and analyzed qualitatively. Under the irradiation of a 0.61-Ci tritium source, the short-circuit current of the device was 0.3 to 0.38 μA, the open-circuit voltage was 35 to 63 mV, the peak power was 2.8 to 6.4 nW, and the energy conversion efficiency of the GaAs semiconductor transducer was about 1.86%. It was found that an air gap between the GaAs semiconductor transducer and the radioactive source caused serious loss of beta particle energy, resulting in low output power and low energy conversion efficiency of the nuclear battery. The open-circuit voltage of the devices with a SiO2 passivation layer on the surface decreased both in a dark environment and in light illumination, but SiO2 passivation did not reduce surface recombination as expected. The research work in this paper will provide some valuable reference for the preparation and performance optimization of nuclear batteries.

Preparation and Electrical Performance Analysis of a GaAs‐Based Tritium Battery

A nuclear battery is a promising candidate for small power supply sources in the military and commercial fields, but its output power and energy conversion efficiency need to be improved. This paper mainly describes a design, preparation, and electrical performance analysis of a GaAs-based tritium battery. The design of the tritium battery uses a multistage process with Monte Carlo and Matlab simulations. A titanium tritide source was prepared by a high-temperature tritium absorption device, and a GaAs semiconductor transducer was developed using a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition method. The D/Ti ratio and T/Ti ratio of the deuterium/tritium titanium films were 1.9 and 1.7, respectively. Two kinds of GaAs-based PIN junction semiconductor transducers were proposed and irradiated with the prepared tritium source. Their electrical properties were measured in situ and analyzed qualitatively. Under the irradiation of a 0.61-Ci tritium source, the short-circuit current of the device was 0.3 to 0.38 μA, the open-circuit voltage was 35 to 63 mV, the peak power was 2.8 to 6.4 nW, and the energy conversion efficiency of the GaAs semiconductor transducer was about 1.86%. It was found that an air gap between the GaAs semiconductor transducer and the radioactive source caused serious loss of beta particle energy, resulting in low output power and low energy conversion efficiency of the nuclear battery. The open-circuit voltage of the devices with a SiO2 passivation layer on the surface decreased both in a dark environment and in light illumination, but SiO2 passivation did not reduce surface recombination as expected. The research work in this paper will provide some valuable reference for the preparation and performance optimization of nuclear batteries.

Crystal Symmetry-Inspired Algorithm for Optimal Design of Contemporary Mono Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell Solar Photovoltaic Modules

A metaheuristic algorithm named the Crystal Structure Algorithm (CrSA), which is inspired by the symmetric arrangement of atoms, molecules, or ions in crystalline minerals, has been used for the accurate modeling of Mono Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) WSMD-545 and CS7L-590 MS solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The suggested algorithm is a concise and parameter-free approach that does not need the identification of any intrinsic parameter during the optimization stage. It is based on crystal structure generation by combining the basis and lattice point. The proposed algorithm is adopted to minimize the sum of the squares of the errors at the maximum power point, as well as the short circuit and open circuit points. Several runs are carried out to examine the V-I characteristics of the PV panels under consideration and the nature of the derived parameters. The parameters generated by the proposed technique offer the lowest error over several executions, indicating that it should be implemented in the present scenario. To validate the performance of the proposed approach, convergence curves of Mono PERC WSMD-545 and CS7L-590 MS PV modules obtained using the CrSA are compared with the convergence curves obtained using the recent optimization algorithms (OAs) in the literature. It has been observed that the proposed approach exhibited the fastest rate of convergence on each of the PV panels.

Crystal Symmetry-Inspired Algorithm for Optimal Design of Contemporary Mono Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell Solar Photovoltaic Modules

A metaheuristic algorithm named the Crystal Structure Algorithm (CrSA), which is inspired by the symmetric arrangement of atoms, molecules, or ions in crystalline minerals, has been used for the accurate modeling of Mono Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) WSMD-545 and CS7L-590 MS solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The suggested algorithm is a concise and parameter-free approach that does not need the identification of any intrinsic parameter during the optimization stage. It is based on crystal structure generation by combining the basis and lattice point. The proposed algorithm is adopted to minimize the sum of the squares of the errors at the maximum power point, as well as the short circuit and open circuit points. Several runs are carried out to examine the V-I characteristics of the PV panels under consideration and the nature of the derived parameters. The parameters generated by the proposed technique offer the lowest error over several executions, indicating that it should be implemented in the present scenario. To validate the performance of the proposed approach, convergence curves of Mono PERC WSMD-545 and CS7L-590 MS PV modules obtained using the CrSA are compared with the convergence curves obtained using the recent optimization algorithms (OAs) in the literature. It has been observed that the proposed approach exhibited the fastest rate of convergence on each of the PV panels.

Flip-chip technology at room temperature: A new design of microtube-based interconnect for improved mechanical and electrical properties

Flip-chip assembly of photonic components can be achieved at room temperature by using 10 µm pitch interconnects made of metallised oxide microtubes inserted into ductile reception pads. In order to reduce the electrical resistance of interconnects and the assembly force required, interconnect design in regard to geometry and materials used are optimised through electrical and mechanical finite elements (FEM) simulations. To reduce electrical resistance, one may increase the metallisation thickness or microtube inner diameter. To minimise the assembly force, reducing the reception pad diameter is recommended. Experiments on silicon (Si) test vehicles are conducted to validate these predictions; they indicate that there is no short circuit, with an effectiveness of 100 %. This is achieved first through the assembly of Al-0.5 %wCu metallised oxide microtubes into Al-0.5 %wCu reception pads, using a force less than 10 mN/interconnect and proved to have a resistance of 230 mΩ. Second, with gold (Au) metallised oxide microtubes in indium (In) pads assembled with a force less than 0.7 mN/interconnect. Last interconnects have a resistance of 670 mΩ/interconnect and can still be reduced to 500 mΩ by 2 h annealing at 100 °C.

A new facile strategy for addressing the localized corrosion issue at damaged coating via a wind-driven triboelectric nanogenerator

Metal substrate at the damaged coating, exposed directly to the corrosive medium, is susceptible to the localized corrosion, due to the formation of occluded corrosion cells. Herein, a new facile strategy for addressing the localized corrosion issue at damaged coating using a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) was proposed. The wind-driven TENG with a simple double-layer structure was designed. The output performance of the TENG can be controlled by adjusting structural parameters and the wind speeds, with the maximum short circuit current, output voltage and corresponding power reaching approximately 102.5 μA, 814 V and 7.6 mW, respectively, at a wind speed of 7.5 m/s. The electrons generated by the TENG can be transferred to the metal substrate at the damaged coating, inducing the cathodic polarization of the metal and providing effective cathodic protection. The reduction reaction, with the consumption of O2 and the formation of OH-, occurs at the metal substrate at the damaged coating. A protective local environment is created by the combination of increased pH and removal of Cl- under the electric field of the TENG. To evaluate the corrosion behavior, immersion experiments and electrochemical measurements were conducted in 3.5 wt% NaCl when the Q235 steels covered the damaged coating were coupled with and without the wind-driven TENG at different wind speeds. Meanwhile, the influence of TENG’s output performance on the cathodic protection effect for the metal substrate at the damaged coating is discussed. This study expands the application of the TENG in the field of corrosion resistance.

Establishment of a conditionally reprogrammed primary eccrine sweat gland culture for evaluation of tissue-specific CFTR function

BackgroundSweat chloride concentration is used both for CF diagnosis and for tracking CFTR modulator efficacy over time, but the relationship between sweat chloride and lung health is heterogeneous and informed by CFTR genotype. Here, we endeavored to characterize ion transport in eccrine sweat glands (ESGs). MethodsFirst, ESGs were microdissected from a non-CF skin donor to analyze individual glands. We established primary cultures of ESG cells via conditional reprogramming for functional testing of ion transport by short circuit current measurement and examined cell composition by single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) comparing with whole dissociated ESGs. Secondly, we cultured nasal epithelial (NE) cells and ESGs from two people with CF (pwCF) to assess modulator efficacy. Finally, NEs and ESGs were grown from one person with the CFTR genotype F312del/F508del to explore genotype-phenotype heterogeneity. ResultsESG primary cells from individuals without CF demonstrated robust ENaC and CFTR function. scRNA-seq demonstrated both secretory and ductal ESG markers in cultured ESG cells. In both NEs and ESGs from pwCF homozygous for F508del, minimal baseline CFTR function was observed, and treatment with CFTR modulators significantly enhanced function. Notably, NEs from an individual bearing F312del/F508del exhibited significant baseline CFTR function, whereas ESGs from the same person displayed minimal CFTR function, consistent with observed phenotype. ConclusionsThis study has established a novel primary culture technique for ESGs that allows for functional ion transport measurement to assess modulator efficacy and evaluate genotype-phenoytpe heterogeneity. To our knowledge, this is the first reported application of conditional reprogramming and scRNA-seq of microdissected ESGs.

Evaluating electrical power yield of photovoltaic solar cells with k-Nearest neighbors: A machine learning statistical analysis approach

The increasing demand for sustainable and renewable energy solutions reflects the critical importance of advancing photovoltaic (PV) technology and its operational efficiency. In response, this study introduces a novel application of the k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) algorithm to assess the reliability and applicability of solar panel simulation data which aimed to classify current states of partial shading, open, and short circuit conditions, alongside regression-based analysis for predicting specific operating parameters. In this research, a published dataset that involved various PV module configurations under different environmental conditions was tested and evaluated. The k-NN technique was applied to both classify the operational status and predict performance metrics of the modules. The diagnosis model demonstrated an accuracy of 99.2 % and an F1 score of 99.2 %, indicating a high degree of reliability in identifying the operational states of PV modules. Concurrently, the regression model exhibited a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.036 and an R2 value of unity that showcased its effectiveness in predicting the operational parameters based on the simulation data. The concluded results are further enriching the effectiveness of simulation-based data generation to be endorsed and implemented before jumping into real experimental applications, in addition to highlighting the potential applicability of k-NN and machine learning for PV cells productivity statistical analysis.

Investigating the impact of magnetic air gap variations on short circuit characteristics of partially high temperature superconducting generator

Partially high-temperature superconducting generators (PHTSGs) feature large magnetic air gaps imposed by using cryostats for HTS field windings. This increased air gap significantly affects end winding inductance and can lead to elevated fault torque levels. This study investigates the influence of magnetic air gap variation on generator design and end winding inductance and its implications for short-circuit faults in PHTSGs. Through a combination of numerical simulations and analytical analysis, the study explores how changes in the magnetic air gap affect end winding inductance and subsequently influence short-circuit fault behavior. The results reveal a direct correlation between magnetic air gap length, end winding inductance, and key short-circuit parameters such as stator current, field currents, and electromagnetic torque. Notably, an increase in the magnetic air gap is observed to elevate stator and field currents and electromagnetic torque during short-circuit events. These insights underscore the importance of considering magnetic air gap variation and its impact on end winding inductance and its relationship with short circuit characteristics in the design and operation of PHTSGs, providing valuable insights for enhancing the resilience and performance of high-temperature superconductor-based generator systems.

High-efficiency ultra-thin GaAs solar cells based on ITO/Ag/ITO transparent electrodes and photonic crystals

Ultrathin photovoltaic technology has great potential to improve efficiency and reduce costs. However, achieving optical thickness requires an effective light capture strategy. In this study, for GaAs thin film solar cells with an active layer thickness of 500 nm, we adopt a combination strategy of front-end ITO/Ag/ITO transparent electrodes and back-end photonic crystals (PC). By employing the finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation, we verify that ITO/Ag/ITO transparent electrodes and AlGaAs PC can effectively enhance the light-harvesting capacity of cells. The proposed cell structure has a spectral absorption rate (SAR) of 0.9781 in the visible wavelength range. To further optimize the photovoltaic performance parameters, we optimize the doping concentration of the pn junction in the cell. Finally, the short circuit current density Jsc, open circuit voltage Voc, fill factor (FF) and photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of GaAs thin film solar cells are successfully increased to 31.10mAcm−2, 1.28V, 88.18% and 35.12%, respectively. This provides crucial experimental validation and theoretical guidance for advancing ultra-thin photovoltaic technology.

SCAPS 1D based study of hole and electron transfer layers to improve MoS2–ZrS2 solar cell efficiency

In the realm of photovoltaic applications, scientists and technocrats are striving to maximize the solar cell input photon energy conversion to electricity. However, achieving optimal cell efficiency requires significant time and energy investment for each variation and optimization. To overcome this issue authors simulated and studied the fabricated cell for optimizing conditions, which can save time and efforts for the relatively better outcomes. The family of transition metal chalcogenides holds promise as a material that yield improved outcomes in optoelectronic applications, particularly in photovoltaics. These materials are employed in experimental investigations aimed at enhancing solar cell parameters, resulting in the development of the FTO/ZnO/ZrS2/MoS2/CuO/Au composite cell. Numerical simulations utilizing SCAPS-1D software is conducted, focusing on the significance of CuO as a hole transport layer (HTL), and ZnO as an electron transport layer (ETL). The investigation examines into the impact of various factors, including thickness, bandgap, and carrier densities for both HTL and ETL, on fundamental solar cell parameters. The study indicates that device parameters are influenced by factors such as recombination rate, photogenerated current, charge carrier length, and built-in-voltage. Optimized parameters for HTL, including thickness, bandgap, and carrier concentration, are determined to be 0⋅35 μm, 1⋅2 eV, and 1⋅0 × 1020 cm–3, respectively. For ETL, the optimized parameters are found to be 0⋅05 μm, 3⋅1 eV, and 1⋅0 × 1018 cm–3, respectively. With these optimized parameters, the efficiency of the solar cell reached 20⋅64%, accompanied by open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, and fill factor values of 0.836 V, 36.021 mA⋅cm–2, and 68⋅54%, respectively. The simulated results indicate that addition of two extra layers and the use of efficient binary materials in heterojunction formation can effectively enhance device parameters, offering advantages such as low-cost and large-scale fabrication.

Light management in hole transport layer-free perovskite solar cell by SPP and LSPR

In recent years, light management based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has received significant attention. However, the use of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitations in PSCs has been less studied. Meanwhile, hole transport layer-free perovskite solar cells (HTL-free PSCs) have garnered interest due to their lower cost. In this study, we improve light absorption in HTL-free PSCs by simultaneously utilizing LSPR and SPP effects. Au nanotriangles are employed on the surface of the back electrode to excite SPPs. The thickness of the perovskite layer is varied from 100 nm to 400 nm. The optimal periodicity and dimensions of the triangular nanoparticles are determined for each perovskite layer thickness. In the optimal structures with perovskite layer thicknesses of 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, and 400 nm, absorption enhancements of 25%, 12.4%, 13%, and 4.3% are achieved, respectively. The interaction of light with SPP and LSP modes leads to improved solar cell performance. Furthermore, the short circuit current density (JSC) in structures with layer thicknesses of 100 nm and 200 nm increased from 16.7 mA cm−2 to 20.71 mA cm−2 and from 19.8 mA cm−2 to 21.86 mA cm−2, respectively. Other photovoltaic characteristics of the solar cell were obtained through optical-electrical numerical analysis. For the improved solar cell with a perovskite thickness of 100 nm, the values of open circuit voltage, efficiency, and fill factor were 0.847 V, 0.81, and 14.24%, respectively, representing increases of 1.1%, 2.4%, and 28.7% compared to the bare device. Additionally, in the solar cell with a thickness of 200 nm, an efficiency of 17.03% was achieved, showing a 12.5% improvement compared to the bare structure. Our research results facilitate the design of high-performance, ultra-thin, semi-transparent solar cells.