Advances in nanostructured homojunction solar cells and photovoltaic materials

Ali, Nisar; Ahmed, Rashid; Luo, Jing; Wang, Mingkui; Kalam, Abul; Al‐Sehemi, Abdullah G.; Fu, Yong Qing

doi:10.1016/j.mssp.2019.104810

Cited by 37 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 119 publications

(113 reference statements)

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“…For the thicker samples, however, where the doping level is 27.6%, an adequate built-in potential to provide a photoresponse is available. The use of such events has already been reported for photoelectrodes, solar cells, and water reduction applications. − …”

Section: Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Charge Transport and Gradient Doping in Nanostructured Polypyrrole Films for Applications in Photocurrent Generation

Pozzoli

Merces

Yassitepe

et al. 2020

ACS Appl. Nano Mater.

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The investigation of the charge-transport mechanism across disordered conducting and semiconducting materials is of relevance, considering the applications in modern organic and hybrid electronics. The transition from bulk to nm-thick layers may lead to unexpected physical/chemical properties as the device interfaces do influence the overall charge-carrier conduction. Here, we present an investigation of the electrical transport across vertical heterojunctions having disordered nm-thick films (polypyrrole, PPy) as the active material. The PPy structures are prepared by chemical polymerization from the pyrrole vapor phase, resulting in film thicknesses of a few tens of nanometers. The electrical characteristics of the devices are evaluated as a function of voltage and temperature, and the charge transport is found to be strongly influenced by the presence of trap states at the PPy highest occupied molecular orbitalgiving rise to space-chargelimited conduction with exponential distribution of traps. The trapping-state density is calculated, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed an increase of disorder and a reduced doping density at the PPy growth interface. As a proof of concept, the PPy films integrated within the as-fabricated vertical heterostructures are applied as photosensitive devices. The observation of photocurrent is correlated to the presence of a gradient in the doping profile (from ca. 27.6 to 17.2% when thickness decreases from 120 to 20 nm). Our findings contribute to the elucidation of the charge-trapping center's origin in the nm-thick PPy films, as well as envision further applications in photoelectrochemistry, solar cells, and water splitting.

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Section: Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Charge Transport and Gradient Doping in Nanostructured Polypyrrole Films for Applications in Photocurrent Generation

Pozzoli

Merces

Yassitepe

et al. 2020

ACS Appl. Nano Mater.

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“…It is also noted from the XRD analysis that Cu 2 ZnSn(SSe) 4 phase is dominant in the annealed films of the title material. [16,17] The grain size of the annealed film was calculated using the Scherer's formula D = 0.9 cos , [18][19][20] where " " in the equation represents the wavelength of the X-rays used, i.e., = 1.54A, "D" specifies the grain size, " " denotes Bragg's diffraction angle, and " " is used for the full width half maximum. Our measurements showed the grain sizes were in a range of 43.3, 47.3, and 48.1 for the diffraction peak (103), (211), and (112), respectively.…”

Section: X-ray Diffractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study on Optoelectronic Properties of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfur Selenide: A Promising Thin‐Film Material for Next Generation Solar Technology

Ali

Zubair

Khesro

et al. 2021

Crystal Research and Technology

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Studies on copper zinc tin sulpher selenide (CZTSSe) thin-film material and its applications as a base material are intensively being researched since it is an earth-abundant, inexpensive, flexible, and interesting material for next-generation optoelectronic technologies. Apropos, this study explores and reports the synthesis of CZTSSe thin films and their key optoelectronics characteristics. The reported films are fabricated on a soda-lime glass substrate by using a physical vapor deposition technique, and then annealed from 250 to 450°C. From the X-ray diffraction analysis, the structure of the as-deposited thin films is found to be amorphous in nature. Annealed thin films of CZTSSe exhibit polycrystalline nature with an average crystallite size of 46.3 nm in tetragonal structure. To determine the bandgap energy, as well as optical properties, the visible spectrophotometer, and four-probe techniques, are used. From the measurements, the bandgap energy of the annealed film is found to be 1.64 eV at 450°C which is in the optimal range as an absorber layer for solar cell devices. Similarly, by employing the four-probe technique, I-V characteristics for the as-deposited thin films, the material shows non-ohmic behavior whereas the annealed film demonstrates partially ohmic with a resistance of 670 ohms.

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“…Solar energy is a good choice of renewable energy source, with solar photovoltaic capacity at 500 GW in 2018. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] However, these solar cells lose a significant amount of energy due to light reflection, dust and/or particulate accumulation, and heating. [9][10][11] Over the years, researchers have conducted many innovative works to improve solar photovoltaic performance using nanostructured materials, including nanostructured coatings that will enhance light absorption and minimize reflection, [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] superhydrophobic coatings that are self-cleaning, 10,22 bandgap engineering of nanostructured films 23,24 and thermal management of solar cells.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transformation, reaction and organization of functional nanostructures using solution-based microreactor-assisted nanomaterial deposition for solar photovoltaics

Doddapaneni

Dhas

Chang

et al. 2022

MRS Energy & Sustainability

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Microreactor-Assisted Nanomaterial Deposition (MAND) process offers unique capabilities in achieving large size and shape control levels while providing a more rapid path for scaling via process intensification for nanomaterial production. This review highlights the application of continuous flow microreactors to synthesize, assemble, transform, and deposit nanostructured materials for Solar Photovoltaics, the capabilities of MAND in the field, and the potential outlook of MAND.Microreactor-Assisted Nanomaterial Deposition (MAND) is a promising technology that synthesizes reactive fluxes and nanomaterials to deposit nanostructured materials at the point of use. MAND offers precise control over reaction, organization, and transformation processes to manufacture nanostructured materials with distinct morphologies, structures, and properties. In synthesis, microreactor technology offers large surface-area-to-volume ratios within microchannel structures to accelerate heat and mass transport. This accelerated transport allows for rapid changes in reaction temperatures and concentrations, leading to more uniform heating and mixing in the deposition process. The possibility of synthesizing nanomaterials in the required volumes at the point of application eliminates the need to store and transport potentially hazardous materials. Further, MAND provides new opportunities for tailoring novel nanostructures and nano-shaped features, opening the opportunity to assemble unique nanostructures and nanostructured thin films. MAND processes control the heat transfer, mass transfer, and reaction kinetics using well-defined microstructures of the active unit reactor cell that can be replicated at larger scales to produce higher chemical production volumes. This critical feature opens a promising avenue in developing scalable nanomanufacturing. This paper reviews advances in microreactor-assisted nanomaterial deposition of nanostructured materials for solar photovoltaics. The discussions review the use of microreactors to tailor the reacting flux, transporting to substrate surfaces via controlling process parameters such as flow rates, pH of the precursor solutions, and seed layers on the formation and/or transformation of intermediary reactive molecules, nanoclusters, nanoparticles, and structured assemblies. In the end, the review discusses the use of an industrial scale MAND to apply anti-reflective and anti-soiling coatings on the solar modules in the field and details future outlooks of MAND reactors. Graphical abstract

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Advances in nanostructured homojunction solar cells and photovoltaic materials

Abstract: Qing (2020) Advances in nanostructured homojunction solar cells and photovoltaic materials. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 107. p. 104810.

Cited by 37 publications

References 119 publications

Charge Transport and Gradient Doping in Nanostructured Polypyrrole Films for Applications in Photocurrent Generation

Charge Transport and Gradient Doping in Nanostructured Polypyrrole Films for Applications in Photocurrent Generation

A Study on Optoelectronic Properties of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfur Selenide: A Promising Thin‐Film Material for Next Generation Solar Technology

Transformation, reaction and organization of functional nanostructures using solution-based microreactor-assisted nanomaterial deposition for solar photovoltaics

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