Advanced Graphene-Based Transparent Conductive Electrodes for Photovoltaic Applications

Abstract

New architectures of transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) incorporating graphene monolayers in different configurations have been explored with the aim to improve the performance of silicon-heterojunction (SHJ) cell front transparent contacts. In SHJ technology, front electrodes play an important additional role as anti-reflectance (AR) coatings. In this work, different transparent-conductive-oxide (TCO) thin films have been combined with graphene monolayers in different configurations, yielding advanced transparent electrodes specifically designed to minimize surface reflection over a wide range of wavelengths and angles of incidence and to improve electrical performance. A preliminary analysis reveals a strong dependence of the optoelectronic properties of the TCEs on (i) the order in which the different thin films are deposited or the graphene is transferred and (ii) the specific TCO material used. The results shows a clear electrical improvement when three graphene monolayers are placed on top on 80-nm-thick ITO thin film. This optimum TCE presents sheet resistances as low as 55 Ω/sq and an average conductance as high as 13.12 mS. In addition, the spectral reflectance of this TCE also shows an important reduction in its weighted reflectance value of 2–3%. Hence, the work undergone so far clearly suggests the possibility to noticeably improve transparent electrodes with this approach and therefore to further enhance silicon-heterojunction cell performance. These results achieved so far clearly open the possibility to noticeably improve TCEs and therefore to further enhance SHJ contact-technology performance.

Effect of Graphene Family Materials on Multiple Myeloma and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cell Lines

“…All of these graphene-related materials have a characteristic honeycomb network of carbon atoms with delocalized π electrons and varied amounts of oxygen-containing groups, leading to a large active surface and easy functionalization. They have potential in various areas, such as nanoelectronics [ 3 ], composites, photovoltaics [ 4 , 5 ], and the biomedical field, including tissue engineering, biosensors [ 6 , 7 ], antibacterial [ 8 , 9 ] and antiviral [ 10 ] agents, functional dressings [ 11 , 12 ], cancer diagnostic tools [ 13 ], treatments [ 14 ], and drug delivery systems [ 15 ].…”

Recent Progress and Challenges in the Optimization of Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

“…Graphene is another conductive agent which has been successfully used to improve the low electronic conductivity of materials benefited from its excellent electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. [223,224] Furthermore, graphene is prone to functionalize with other molecules and worked as a supporting matrix with the active materials distributed on the surface or between the nanosheets. [225][226][227] The graphene decorating process is sometimes performed by a hydrothermal or solvothermal reaction.…”

Recent trends in graphene supercapacitors: from large area to microsupercapacitors

“…(a) Within the family of 3D sponge graphene structures, 35 graphene foam (GF) obtained from the reduction of graphene oxide (rGO) by chemical methods [36][37][38][39] and by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) [40][41][42][43] represents the focus in Section 2.1. The improvement of its energy density and operating voltage window as a supercapacitor by lling it with other carbon-based materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [44][45][46] or pseudocapacitive materials such as metal oxides, [47][48][49] metal hydroxides [50][51][52][53] and conductive polymers [54][55][56][57] is also discussed within the section.…”