Solar Energy Materials Research Articles

Self-passivation of Halide Interstitial Defects by Organic Cations in Hybrid Lead-Halide Perovskites: Ab Initio Quantum Dynamics.

Halide interstitial defects severely hinder the optoelectronic performance of metal halide perovskites, making research on their passivation crucial. We demonstrate, using ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations, that hydrogen vacancies (Hv) at both N and C atoms of the methylammonium (MA) cation in MAPbI3 efficiently passivate iodine interstitials (Ii), providing a self-passivation strategy for dealing with the Hv and Ii defects simultaneously. Hv at the N site (Hv-N) introduces a defect state into the valence band, while the state contributed by Hv at the C site (Hv-C) evolves from a shallow level at 0 K to a deep midgap state at ambient temperature, exhibiting a high environmental activity. Both Hv-N and Hv-C are strong Lewis bases, capable of capturing and passivating Ii defects. Hv-C is a stronger Lewis base, bonds with Ii better, and exhibits a more pronounced passivation effect. The charge carrier lifetimes in the passivated systems are significantly longer than in those containing either Hv or Ii, and even in pristine MAPbI3. Our demonstration of the Hv and Ii defect self-passivation in MAPbI3 suggests that systematic control of the relative concentrations of Hv and Ii can simultaneously eliminate both types of defects, thereby minimizing charge and energy losses. The demonstrated defect self-passivation strategy provides a promising means for defect control in organic-inorganic halide perovskites and related materials and deepens our atomistic understanding of defect chemistry and charge carrier dynamics in solar energy and optoelectronic materials.

Efficiency improvement of antimony selenide solar cells based on S-doped SnO2 buffer layer

Antimony Selenide (Sb2Se3) exhibits potential as a solar energy material owing to its optimal bandgap, lack of toxicity, and abundance of earth abundant elements. Currently, cadmium sulfide (CdS) serves as the predominant buffer layer for Sb2Se3 solar cells. However, the use of CdS hinders environmentally friendly advancement due to the toxic properties of the element cadmium. Hence, the quest for non-toxic buffer layers poses a significant challenge to the further advancement of Sb2Se3 solar cells. In prior research, tin oxide (SnO2) has been explored as a buffer layer. Nonetheless, the efficiency of SnO2/Sb2Se3 solar cells was hampered by the rough surface of SnO2 films and the poor crystallinity of Sb2Se3 films. In this investigation, we enhanced device efficiency by improving the uniformity of the SnO2 surface and enhancing the crystallinity of Sb2Se3 through spin-coating sulfur (S) onto the SnO2 film. Detailed examinations were conducted on the structure, optical, and electrical properties of the respective SnO2 and Sb2Se3 thin films. Ultimately, an efficiency of 3.38% was achieved using the spin-coated S:SnO2 film, marking an 85% enhancement compared to the baseline device.

One-step facile fabrication of PDA@MCE for high efficiency seawater desalination

A variety of photothermal materials have been developed and applied in photothermal seawater desalination. As a conjugated polymer, Polydopamine (PDA) has excellent light absorption properties in the UV–visible region, and is widely used as a solar energy material. In this work, Polydopamine-mixed cellulose membrane (PDA@MCE) with Janus structure was prepared by a one-step method for water evaporation at the interface between PDA and mixed cellulose membrane (MCE). PDA@MCE has good thermal stability. When the reaction time is 6 h, the evaporation rate of the composite is twice that of MCE, and the photothermal conversion efficiency is about 62 %. PDA@MCE, as a kind of photothermal material with simple preparation method and friendly to the environment, has excellent application potential in solar driven interfacial water evaporation.

Development of PHYVAR (Physics in 3d Virtual Reality) on Solar Energy Material to Support Students’ Spatial Intelligence

Spatial intelligence, as proposed by Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, is one of eight different intelligences that every individual has. The 9 intelligences include: visual-spatial intelligence, linguistic-verbal intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence, physical-kinesthetic intelligence, musical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, naturalistic intelligence and existential intelligence. Spatial intelligence includes a person's ability to visualize objects complexly in three dimensions, manipulate an object to make it appear realistic and understand spatial relationships with physical phenomena. This form of intelligence plays an important role in various fields, including but not limited to physics, engineering, architecture, and scientific exploration. In this field, the capacity to conceptualize and work with spatial elements is fundamental to problem solving and innovation. Solar energy, also known as solar power or solar radiation, is a renewable and sustainable energy source that comes from the sun. Its significance is critical in overcoming global challenges related to energy security, climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability. The integration of solar energy topics into the class is critical. In particular, point 7 of the goal emphasizes the ambition to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy services by 2030, making solar energy education an integral part of preparing students for a sustainable future. The main objective of the research discussed is to test the feasibility of PHYVAR (Physics in 3D Virtual Reality) on Solar Energy material to support students' spatial intelligence. This research uses Research and Development (R&D) approach by utilizing the Rowntree development model which includes planning, development and evaluation stages. The software used for development includes: Blender 3D 4.0 and Unity Hub 2022, which is used to create a virtual reality environment, displaying a combination of technological advances in education. The evaluation process for PHYVAR media and solar energy materials is carried out with validation by experts, which include material experts and media experts. Apart from that, input and assessment of media suitability were taken from the responses of 35 Class X students from a high school in Pandeglang. Validation results from both experts and students show a high level of agreement, meeting the criteria for the "very good" category, which shows the potential of PHYVAR media in increasing spatial intelligence and facilitating effective learning experiences. The integration of virtual reality technology and interactive learning materials such as PHYVAR in educational environments offers a transformative learning approach. Not only does it increase students' understanding of complex concepts, but it also fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving competence. By utilizing innovative educational methods such as virtual reality simulations, educators can create engaging and immersive learning environments tailored to diverse learning preferences and abilities, thereby creating a more engaging and effective educational landscape.

Study of KOH as alkali for enhancing performance of photo-galvanic cell in transparent cylindrical cell design

Photo-galvanic cells are liquid electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells. Chemically, the dye/pigment photo-sensitizer, reductant, surfactant, and alkali materials are the main fabrication components of these cells. Most dye/pigment materials are more soluble and stable at high pH. The pH of Potassium hydroxide (an alkali of plant nutrient ‘potassium’ element) is very high. Therefore, Potassium hydroxide is supposed to be the best eco-friendly and effective alkali medium for photogalvanics. As far as alkali is concerned, NaOH has been exploited extensively in photo-galvanics. Although, the NaOH-based photo-galvanics show good electrical output, it is plagued with some drawbacks like shorter shelf life, high cost, unsafe for skin, low conductivity, low water solubility, etc. Therefore, in the present research, the KOH has been exploited as an alkali material for harvesting solar energy using the Sunset Yellow FCF dye sensitizer-Ascorbic acid reductant-CTAB surfactant cylindrical cell designed photo-galvanic system.In the present study, the observed optimum cell performance is as follows-open-circuit potential 777 mV, maximum current 25000 μA, short-circuit current 5600 μA, power 733.6 μW, fill factor 0.16, and efficiency is 19.77 % at pH 14.30. The Sunset Yellow FCF dye shows very high photostability and photo-absorption with KOH alkali. The power storage capacity is sufficiently robust, as the cell is capable of supplying power at its ∼36.16 % capacity after a very long time of 24 h. The KOH-Sunset Yellow FCF dye sensitizer-Ascorbic acid reductant-CTAB surfactant photo-galvanics in the present study show improved results over the reported results for the NaOH-Sunset Yellow FCF dye sensitizer-Ascorbic acid reductant-CTAB surfactant photo-galvanics. The reasons for the good photo-galvanics with KOH alkali may be attributed to some peculiar chemical and physical properties of KOH vis-à-vis the chemical and physical properties of NaOH.

The WO2.72/CdS0.25Se0.75-DETA nanocomposite with S-scheme heterojunction structures exhibits high efficiency and stable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance

Facing the global energy crisis, identifying impactful solutions is imperative. This research introduces the cutting-edge nanocomposites, WO3/CdS0.25Se0.75-Diethylenetriamine (Diethylenetriamine is abbreviated as DETA) with configurations of 20 %, 30 %, and 40 % WO3 (denoted as 20-WO/CSE, WO/CSE, and 40-WO/CSE), highlighted by its innovative S-scheme heterojunction. WO/CSE nanocomposite stands out in the realm of solar energy materials, achieving a superior photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 16.7 mmol g−1h−1. Additionally, it exhibits exceptional corrosion resistance, maintaining performance integrity over four 12-hour testing cycles. The strategic incorporation of WO3 not only enhances the nanocomposite's photocatalytic efficiency but also underscores its potential in surpassing the capabilities of its individual constituents. Through theoretical calculations, the S-scheme heterojunction's effective charge transfer properties are confirmed, positioning this nanocomposite as a significant leap forward in addressing energy challenges through advanced solar energy materials and nanocomposites.

Effect of the irradiation intensity on the photo-thermal conversion performance of composite phase change materials: An experimental approach

Composite phase change materials (CPCM) containing photo absorbers are regarded as promising conversion and thermal energy storage materials for solar energy. Understanding the impact of irradiation intensity on the photo-thermal conversion process is of crucial significance for improving the photo-thermal conversion efficiency (PTCE) of CPCM. However, previous studies have overlooked the evolution of temperature patterns and the solid-liquid phase interface in CPCM, posing challenges in revealing photo-thermal conversion characteristics. In response to these challenges, the present study introduces an improved test method that integrates monitoring plane and infrared thermography. Paraffin/graphite nanoparticles CPCM are used as conversion and thermal storage material. The results show that the dominated heat transfer mode in different stages is different, and the natural convection within the liquid CPCM has enhanced the melting process. When the irradiation intensity is increased from 450 W/m2 to 1250 W/m2, the average temperature and average charging rate increase by 33.75% and 197.27%, respectively. At an irradiation intensity of 1050 W/m2, the CPCM achieves the highest overall PTCE of 42.40%, which is an 8.85% increase in contrast to the irradiation intensity of 450 W/m2. The results provide guidance for improving the PTCE of CPCM in the application of direct absorption solar collectors.

Multifunctional applications of passive solar stills in water treatment: an eco-friendly approach

Conventional raw water treatment methods are expensive and require a sufficient energy supply for their operations. In remote and rural areas, these conventional methods are feasible due to a poor economy and interrupted power supply. This study provides a sustainable approach to treating raw water using solar energy and phase change material (PCM). Passive solar stills (SS) are sufficient to treat water in the presence of solar radiation, and we can increase the yield and quality of distillate water by using calcium chloride hexahydrate as a phase change material. Moreover, PCM-based solar still is also advanced by adding activated charcoal (AC) for the removal of fluoride from the raw water. The efficiency of the solar still was assessed for the eight parameters: yield (Y), fluoride (F), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total alkalinity (TA), total hardness (TH), chloride (Cl). Through the number of water quality assessments, it was found that SS with PCM can reduce (%) the TDS (85%–100%), EC (90%–100%), pH (0%–15%), TH (90%–95%), TA (75%–90%), and Cl (80%–100%) and can increase the yield by 10%–15%. SS with PCM and AC also showed good removal of F from raw water. In addition to that, a statistical analysis was also carried out to understand the effect of different climatic factors on the performance of solar stills.

Study on the Design of Electrocatalysts for Polymer Electrolysis in the Aqueous Solution

Now, most plastic recycling is thermal recycling by incineration. As a matter of course, thermal recycling is not a sustainable recycling method for plastic material. Material recycling is being carried out in which some used plastics are molded and reused.[1] However, material recycling has the problem that cannot separate the pigments and dyes. This problem causes the limitation of color and quality degradation in the recycling of plastics. Therefore, we focused on the depolymerization and re-polymerization between polymers and monomers by electrolysis in order to develop a new recycling method without degrading the quality of the plastics.Since most polymers are insulator materials, there has been almost no report about polymer electrolysis, and the electrochemical behavior is also unknown. [2, 3] We investigated to obtain basic information for the electrolysis of polymers, a monovalent alcohol molecule bonded to the terminal or side chain and a divalent alcohol molecule bonded to both ends were used as the model molecule, and their electrochemical behavior was investigated. In addition, electrolysis of PVA and PEG, which have similar structures to alcohol molecules, was conducted as the first step of depolymerization into monomers. In the case of PEG, the oxidation current, which may be attributed to the decomposition, was observed. In contrast, the decomposition behavior of PVA was not confirmed. Their results suggested that the oxidation of polymer may favor the presence of other atoms, such as oxygen, at the main chain rather than the functional group at the side chain. Nylon66, which had nitrogen atoms at the main chain, also showed oxidation currents. However, Nylon66 was only oxidized by the iron-based catalyst. Iron should form the surface oxide layer at the oxidation potential of Nylon66. However, it doesn’t understand whether metal or metal oxide is suitable for the electrolysis of polymer materials. This study electrolyzed Nylon66 using Ti foil and Ru and RuO2 powder to consider whether metal or oxide was suitable for polymer electrolysis.The electrochemical cell was composed of a working electrode, a carbon counter electrode, a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) as a reference electrode, and 0.2 M NaOH. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was conducted at room temperature in an inert atmosphere, and the scan rate was 50 mV s-1. Nylon66 was polymerized on the working electrode directly. Furthermore, before and after electrolysis, its molecular structure and electronic state on the electrode surface were confirmed by Raman and XPS.All test catalysts in this study showed the oxidation current of Nylon66 around 1.2 V only in the first cycle. RuO2 demonstrated relatively high oxidation currents compared with other catalysts. In addition, Ti foil formed a thick oxide layer at the surface during CV measurement.After electrolysis, the Raman spectrum of the Ti foil surface indicated that the C-O-C stretch vibration mode, which did not include in Nylon66, was observed. On the other hand, Ru and RuO2 did not generate new vibrational modes. However, the results of XPS suggested that the sp2 carbon species, C=C bonds, increased in all catalysts. Thus, Nylon66 was probably decomposed. Interestingly, Ru0 species were observed in RuO2 after electrolysis. This result meant RuO2 was partially reduced during electrolysis. It is thought that the lattice oxygen in the RuO2 crystal was possibly consumed by Nylon66 oxidation. The above results indicate that the lattice oxygen of oxide should play an important role in polymer electrolysis. In this study, electrolysis of Nylon66 was performed using Ti and Ru, RuO2 electrocatalysts. Each catalyst, the oxidation current was observed only in the first cycle. The results of Raman and XPS suggested the partial decomposition of Nylonn66 in all catalysts. It was concluded that the presence of lattice oxygen in oxide is one of the keys to polymer electrolysis, and the metal oxide may be suitable as an electrocatalyst.[1] T. Kamo, Science of the Field, 1, (2021) 28-44.[2] O. R. Luca et al. Molecules, 25 (2020) 1-9.[3] T. Jiang et al. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 204 (2020) 1-10.

Cs2TlRhX6 (X = Cl, Br, I): promising halide double perovskites for efficient energy harvesting in photovoltaic and thermoelectric applications

The majority of halide double perovskites, particularly chlorides and bromides, possess large band gaps. However, we have identified a composition of halide double perovskites with a narrow band gap, making them ideal for energy harvesting purposes. First-principle methods are employed to compute the structural, electronic, mechanical, optical, and thermoelectric properties of Cs2TlRhX6 (X= Cl, Br, I). The stability of the cubic perovskite compounds is confirmed through the formation energy, the Goldschmidt tolerance factor, and the elastic constant. The optical bandgaps of all the compositions are determined through the TBmBJ potential. The ductile nature of the present compounds is verified by the values of Pugh’s ratio and Cauchy’s pressure. The optical properties are investigated to check the availability of the materials for harvesting solar energy. Temperature-dependent parameters including electrical conductivity, see-beck coefficient, power factor, and figure of merit also have been computed for thermoelectric applications. All the explored characteristics of the double perovskites under study have been discussed briefly on the basis of interesting and informative Physics behind the observed results.

Silicon-Based Nanoelectronic Semiconductor Material and Its Surface-Enhanced Raman Image Signals

One-dimensional Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials have important applications in devices, such as solar energy, sensors, and piezoelectric materials due to surface effects and quantum size effects. As a semiconductor material, Si has good thermal conductivity and low resistivity. A layer of n-type ZnO nanowires is grown on P-type monocrystalline silicon by transferring the Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) template. The enhanced Raman effect on the surface is attempted by preparing n-type ZnO-P-type Si heterojunction nanostructures. This paper uses Si-based AAO as a template and uses electrochemical deposition method to prepare silicon-based nano-electronic semiconductor material ZnO/AAO/Si. According to SEM analysis, there are uniform pores on the surface of the material, and the cross-section shows that ZnO nanowires have been assembled into the AAO/Si structure. XRD analysis shows that ZnOn nanowires have a hexagonal wurtzite structure. In optoelectronic testing, through PL spectral analysis, the semiconductor material ZnO/AAO/Si has a strong yellow green emission peak near 574 nm. Field emission analysis shows that the β value of the ZnO field enhancement factor in the ZnO/AAO/Si structure is relatively high. The Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) image signal experiment shows that the silicon-based nano-electronic semiconductor material prepared by electrochemical deposition method has good SERS characteristics. The SERS spectral intensity increases with the increase of the concentration of the detected substance and can be used as a SERS substrate to achieve Raman spectral image signal detection of chemical substances with low concentration.

Revolutionary solar evaporation system: Harnessing the power of bacterial cellulose/Ag NPs/polypyrrole with its promoted antibacterial applications

Extensive research is being conducted on a promising technology that utilizes solar energy and photothermal materials to address the global challenges of freshwater scarcity and energy shortage. Real-world applications of this technology require materials with specific properties such as mechanical flexibility and antimicrobial characteristics. Herein, a self-supporting membrane for interfacial photothermal water evaporation is developed, incorporating bacterial cellulose (BC) as a resilient and hydrophilic backbone material, along with Polypyrrole（PPy）loading and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) doping. The addition of Ag NPs not only enhances the antibacterial properties of the material, but also improves light absorption through plasma resonance, resulting in enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate that the BC/Ag/PPy hybridized membrane exhibits an outstanding photothermal evaporation efficiency of 91%. Additionally, the membrane maintains a stable evaporation rate and favorable mechanical properties. With its exceptional performance, this BC/Ag/PPy membrane offers a practical solution for long-term seawater desalination applications.

Experimental and numerical study of desalination using solar energy and phase change materials

The present work experimentally desalinate water and model a passive solar desalinator of 0.55 m2 that uses phase change materials (PCM), assessing the effects of storing energy in 4.5 kg of coconut oil or paraffin wax contained in copper tubes, and the mass of water in the container (5.55, 8.25 and 11.0 kg), on the unit performance. The experiments carried out in Santiago de Chile allowed to obtain condensate masses between 3.2 and 4.3 kg/m2 per batch with a temperatures between 23 and 83∘C for the absorber plate and 21–77∘C for the glass. Annual water production ranged from 1120 to 1313 liter/m2, with costs between 0.0165 and 0.0593 $/liter. PCM incorporation had no impact on production as the exposed area is shared between absorber plate and tubes. To better evaluate the effect of the parameters studied, results are presented as the ratio between the mass of condensate and the solar energy received, which gives independence from the solar irradiation variability and allowed to identify a slight superiority in the productivity of condensate using coconut oil. The model developed and coded in MATLAB, including PCM and the effect of self-shading, adequately predicts the mass of condensate and phase temperatures (water, glass and PCM) with a mean root mean square error of 0.03 kg and 1.9∘C respectively. The model is characterized by a low computation time and a high level of prediction for the condensate mass.

Visible Light Locking in Mineral-Based Composite Phase Change Materials Enabling High Photothermal Conversion and Storage.

Fully stimulating the capacity of light-driven phase change materials (PCMs) for efficient capture, conversion, and storage solar energy requires an ingenious combination of PCMs, supporting structural materials, and photothermal materials, therefore motivating the synergistic effects between the components. Herein, this work thoroughly explores the interaction forces between PCMs and supporting structural materials and the synergy between PCMs and photothermal materials in photothermal conversion. Rejoicingly, when capitalizing on the prepared directional channel structure of hierarchically porous composite aerogel (PEPG) as a supporting structural material, a superior paraffin wax (PW) encapsulation rate of 85.11% is achieved, and the prepared PEPG2-PW has a high phase change enthalpy of 182.9 J/g. The van der Waals force and Lewis acid-base action between PEPG and PW molecules reveal the excellent stabilities of PEPG-PW. More importantly, the PEPG2-PW has an ultrahigh photothermal conversion efficiency of 95.2% under 1 sun irradiation and durability. Most importantly, the COMSOL Multiphysics software calculations demonstrate that transparent PW can anchor sunlight on the surface of graphite nanoplates, converting it into heat by enhancing the loss of graphite backbone lattice vibrations, and the accumulated heat is then stored in molten PW. This work provides some design principles for high-efficiency solar-thermal conversion materials.

Refractive Properties of Conjugated Organic Materials Doped with Fullerenes and Other Carbon-Based Nano-Objects.

Due to the high demand for optoelectronics for use in new materials and processes, as well as the search for their modeling properties, the expansion of the functionality of modified materials using nanotechnology methods is relevant and timely. In the current paper, a specific nanotechnology approach is shown to increase the refractive and photoconductive parameters of the organic conjugated materials. The sensitization process, along with laser treatment, are presented in order to improve the basic physical-chemical properties of laser, solar energy, and general photonics materials. Effective nanoparticles, such as fullerenes, shungites, reduced graphene oxides, carbon nanotubes, etc., are used in order to obtain the bathochromic shift, increase the laser-induced change in the refractive index, and amplify the charge carrier mobility of the model matrix organics sensitized with these nanoparticles. The four-wave mixing technique is applied to test the main refractive characteristics of the studied materials. Volt-current measurements are used to estimate the increased charge carrier mobility. The areas of application for the modified nanostructured plastic matrixes are discussed and extended, while also taking into account the surface relief.

Design and Performance Enhancement of a GaAs-Based Homojunction Solar Cell Using Ga0.5In0.5P as a Back Surface Field (BSF): A Simulation Approach

The GaAs semiconductor is a solar energy promising material for photovoltaic applications due to its good optical and electronic properties. In this work, a homojunction GaAs solar cell with AlxGa1-xAs and GayIn1-yP solar energy materials as window and back surface field (BSF) layers, respectively, was simulated and investigated using SCAPS-1D software. The performance of the GaAs-based solar cell is evaluated for different proportions ofxandy, which allowed us to obtain the values of 0.8 and 0.5 forxandy, respectively, as the best values for high performance. We then continued the optimization by taking into account some parameters of the solar cell, such as thickness, doping, and bulk defect density of the p-GaAs base, n-GaAs emitter, and Ga0.5In0.5P BSF layer. Solar cell efficiency increases with emitter thickness, but the recombination phenomenon is more pronounced than that of electron-hole pair generation in the case of a thicker base. The effect of variation in the work function of the back contact has also been studied, and the best performance is for a platinum (Pt) electrode. The optimized GaAs-based solar cell achieves a power conversion efficiency of 35.44% (JSC=31.52 mA/cm2,VOC=1.26 V,FF=89.14%) and a temperature coefficient of -0.036%/°C. These simulation results provide insight into the various ways to improve the efficiency of GaAs-based solar cells.

Photovoltaics literature survey (no. 182)

Photovoltaics literature survey (no. 182)

Measuring Photoexcited Electron and Hole Dynamics in ZnTe and Modeling Excited State Core-Valence Effects in Transient Extreme Ultraviolet Reflection Spectroscopy

Transient extreme ultraviolet (XUV) spectroscopy is becoming a valuable tool for characterizing solar energy materials because it can separate photoexcited electron and hole dynamics with element specificity. Here, we use surface-sensitive femtosecond XUV reflection spectroscopy to separately measure photoexcited electron, hole, and band gap dynamics of ZnTe, a promising photocathode for CO2 reduction. We develop an ab initio theoretical framework based on density functional theory and the Bethe-Salpeter equation to robustly assign the complex transient XUV spectra to the material's electronic states. Applying this framework, we identify the relaxation pathways and quantify their time scales in photoexcited ZnTe, including subpicosecond hot electron and hole thermalization, surface carrier diffusion, ultrafast band gap renormalization, and evidence of acoustic phonon oscillations.

Full spectrum solar hydrogen production by tandems of perovskite solar cells and photothermal enhanced electrocatalysts

Among various methods of hydrogen production, water splitting driven by perovskite solar cell (PSC) is highly desirable due to the abundance of solar energy and low material cost. The key to achieve higher solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency is to reduce the overpotential of water splitting and enhance the solar energy utilization of the system. Herein, we demonstrate a photothermal enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst by depositing NiFe layer double hydroxide (NiFe LDH) on a three-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) scaffold. The CNTs can serve double functions, first as a conductive support of the catalyst to effectively transport charge, second as a photon absorber to induce photothermal effect to enhance OER activity. The photothermal enhancement of OER is demonstrated with infrared irradiation, part of the solar spectrum that is normally wasted in a conventional photovoltaic-electrolysis water splitting system. Based on the superior OER activity and photothermal properties, an unbiased water splitting system is constructed by integrating a CNTs@NiFe LDH//Pt/C electrochemical cell (EC) with a semitransparent perovskite solar cell (ST-PSC) mini-module in tandem configuration. The ST-PSC module provides voltage to drive water splitting and transmits infrared light to the rear CNTs@NiFe LDH electrode to induce the photothermal effect. The integrated PSC-EC system improves the STH efficiency from 11.7% to 13.2% with assistance of the photothermal effect and demonstrates a new strategy to harvest the full spectrum of solar irradiation for hydrogen production.

Photovoltaics literature survey (No. 181)

Photovoltaics literature survey (No. 181)