Effective MgO-doped TiO₂ nanoaerogel coating for crystalline silicon solar cells improvement

Abstract

SummaryThis study looks at investigating the influence of high surface area TiO 2 and MgO-doped TiO 2 aerogel nanomaterials to improve the photovoltaic performance of monocrystalline silicon (mono-Si) solar cells. TiO 2 and MgO-doped TiO 2 anatase nanoaerogels were synthesized via a single-step colloidal homogeneous precipitation sol-gel method in a compact high-pressure hydrogen reactor. TiO 2 -based nanoparticles were encapsulated in ethylene vinyl acetate resins, and the obtained composite solutions were screen printed on the textured surface of the cells. The specific surface area, microstructural, composition, and optical properties of the nanoaerogels were characterized by Brunaur-Emmett-Teller, X-ray powder diffractometer, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, field emission transmission electron microscope, field emission scanning electron microscope, and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. We observed that the MgO-doped TiO 2 (2% mol) nanoaerogel exhibited a much superior specific surface area (231 m 2 /g) compared with the undoped TiO 2 (154 m 2 /g). Experimental results showed that the calculated relative power conversion efficiency increased by 4.6% for the MgO-doped TiO 2 coating and 3.4% for the undoped TiO 2 under a simulated one-sun illumination. KEYWORDSethylene vinyl acetate, high-pressure hydrogen reactor, MgO-doped TiO 2 nanoaerogel, monocrystalline silicon (mono-Si) solar cells

Improved photovoltaic performance of monocrystalline silicon solar cell through luminescent down‐converting Gd2O2S:Tb3+ phosphor

“…Finally, the mixture solution was screen‐printed on the textured surface of the solar cells using a rotary roller (K Lox Proofer, RK PrintCoat Instruments, UK). The coated cells with wet films (coated surface area = 5 × 5 cm) were dried in a fume hood and then cured in a furnace at 190°C for 5 minutes in order to obtain a glossy and thermal stable layer . In addition, the solar cells with EVA/undoped‐Gd 2 O 2 S and solely EVA coatings (9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 wt%) were also produced for comparisons.…”

Numerical analysis of dopant‐free asymmetric silicon heterostructure solar cell with SiO 2 as passivation layer

“…Thin carrierselective films based on transition metal oxide (TMO) and alkali metal fluoride (AMF) layers are emerging as an alternative to conventional doped films in crystalline silicon (cSi) solar cells. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] These doped films are mostly employed as carrier-selective or window layers within the device that are fabricated via traditional doping schemes, such as thermal diffusion, ion-implantation, or plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) processes, all of which require higher deposition temperatures to create a junction. The requirement of higher temperature necessitates setting up specialized thermal heater equipment that increases the thermal budget of the product.…”

“…In order to circumvent such limitations, solar cell structures based on dopant‐free asymmetrical silicon heterostructure (DASH) configuration have been proposed. Thin carrier‐selective films based on transition metal oxide (TMO) and alkali metal fluoride (AMF) layers are emerging as an alternative to conventional doped films in crystalline silicon (cSi) solar cells 9‐21 . These doped films are mostly employed as carrier‐selective or window layers within the device that are fabricated via traditional doping schemes, such as thermal diffusion, ion‐implantation, or plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) processes, all of which require higher deposition temperatures to create a junction.…”

Photon management effects of hybrid nanostructures/microstructures for organic-silicon heterojunction solar cells

“…The current research is mainly focused on the interface engineering and surface modification including surface passivation, field‐effect passivation, additive treatment of PEDOT:PSS, and rear interfacial modifications with polymers to improve the electrical properties of the solar cells. Although these strategies can effectively boost the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PEDOT:PSS/Si heterojunction solar cells, the optical reflection loss is still a crucial factor limiting the device performance . In order to suppress light reflection loss, photon management by using nanostructured or microstructured surface has become a common approach to be widely adopted in solar cells.…”

“…Although these strategies can effectively boost the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PEDOT:PSS/Si heterojunction solar cells, the optical reflection loss is still a crucial factor limiting the device performance. 24 In order to suppress light reflection loss, photon management by using nanostructured or microstructured surface has become a common approach to be widely adopted in solar cells. There are various structured surfaces that have been proposed to enhance light absorption in PEDOT:PSS/n-Si heterojunction solar cells including cone-shaped nanohole, 25 nanocone, 26,27 nanotubes, 28 nanowires, 29,30 nanopillars, 31 pyramids, 32,33 and quasi-inverted pyramids.…”