Improving the absorption spectrum and performance of CIGS solar cells by optimizing the stepped band gap profile of the multilayer absorber

Mabvuer, Francis Tchomb; Nya, Fridolin Tchangnwa; Kenfack, Guy Maurel Dzifack

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2022.05.037

Cited by 16 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Solar cell performance has been monitored using current–voltage ( J–V ), and quantum efficiency ( QE ) characteristics, short-circuit current density ( ), open-circuit voltage ( ), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (PCE). In the absence of internal resistance effects, the current–voltage characteristic can be formulated as follows 24 : where , indicates the dark saturation current, as provided by 25 : …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Materials and interfaces properties optimization for high-efficient and more stable RbGeI3 perovskite solar cells: optoelectrical modelling

Samaki,

Tchangnwa Nya,

Dzifack Kenfack

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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In this research work, we investigated the effects of a broad set of materials properties and external operating parameters on the opto-electrical output of a hybrid RbGeI3-based perovskite solar cell (PSC) as a means of enhancing its performance. We first performed a judicious numerical modelling of the reference cell with the following structure FTO/TiO2/RbGeI3/Spiro-OMeTAD/Ag, with data retrieved from the experiment. SCAPS program enables to model the device, considering charge carriers transport governing equations. Investigations are directed on addressing the current challenges that include thinner, less environmentally harmful, cost-effectiveness, and more stable solar devices over time. Analysis of the effects of different hole transport material (HTM) on current–voltage (J-V) and external quantum efficiency (QE) characteristics, helps to identify CuI as an ideal HTM. Optimal cell output were achieved by investigating the effects of metal contact work function, defect states, RbGeI3 thickness, light transmission/reflection at the front/back contact, as well as operating temperature. As a result, efficiency increased significantly from 10.11 to 18.10%, and fill factor that represents a stability indicator, increased from 63.68 to 76.95%. Moreover, an optimum open-circuit voltage Voc = 0.70 V and a high short-circuit current density of Jsc = 33.51 mA/cm2 were recorded. An additional study on the capture cross-section of charge carriers ($${\sigma }_{n,p}$$ σ n , p ) on PV characteristics, enabled to achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 29.71% and FF of 88% at a value of $${\sigma }_{n,p}$$ σ n , p selected to be 10–22 cm2. This contribution aims at designing and producing thinner, more efficient, more stable and more environmentally clean and economically viable PSCs.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Materials and interfaces properties optimization for high-efficient and more stable RbGeI3 perovskite solar cells: optoelectrical modelling

Samaki,

Tchangnwa Nya,

Dzifack Kenfack

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

Self Cite

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“…Furthermore, the inverse relationship between resistivity and this product signifies that an increase in the product of these three factors corresponds to a decrease in thin film resistivity. This insight aids in comprehending how the selenization process impacts the electrical properties of CIGSe thin films and facilitates optimization for specific applications [55]. The selenization parameters (temperature and duration) wield a significant influence over the carrier concentration and mobility of CIGSe thin films.…”

Section: Electrical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Unravelling the intricacies of selenization in sequentially evaporated Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ Thin film solar cells on flexible substrates

Regmi,

Rijal,

Velumani

2023

Phys. Scr.

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This study aimed to fabricate copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGSe) thin films using a novel two-step approach. Firstly, we deposited metallic precursors (Cu/In/Ga) onto a Mo-coated stainless steel substrate using thermal evaporation at unintentional substrate temperature. Subsequently, selenization was carried out in a furnace under the presence of an inert gas. The quality of the CIGSe thin films was analyzed to explore the influence of selenization temperature (450 °C–550 °C) and duration (30 and 60 min), while maintaining an inert atmosphere inside the selenization furnace. The structural analysis revealed the progressive development of additional phases over time, resulting in the formation of a complete chalcopyrite CIGSe structure with the preferred reflection on the (112) plane. The absorber layer exhibited a thickness of 2 μm, with atomic ratios of 0.83 for Cu/(In+Ga) and 0.24 for Ga/(In+Ga) in the film selenized at 550 °C. P-type conductivity was observed in the CIGSe thin film, with a carrier concentration of up to 1017 cm−3, and it displayed a well-defined and uniform morphology characterized by a large grain size of approximately 0.9 μm. Utilizing the optimized conditions, we successfully fabricated solar cells on a flexible substrate, achieving a photoconversion efficiency of up to 9.91%. This research delves into the impact of selenization parameters on the growth of CIGSe absorber layers and introduces a new approach that could significantly influence the feasibility and industrialization of flexible solar cells.

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“…Numerical modelling SCAPS software will be deployed to model our cells, along with MATLAB/SIMULINK for analogical modelling, and performance visualization as well as plotting data. In modeling thin film devices, SCAPS software has proven to be a reliable and trustworthy tool acknowledged by the photovolataic (PV) community and, when simulation conditions are set appropriately, results obtained are in fair good agreement with experimental work [13][14][15][16][17]. Recently, several extensions were integrated and it has been improved its capabilities to model recombination processes and several tunnelling mechanisms.…”

Section: Theory and Numerical Modelling 21 Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Multilayers strategy with a mixed CdTe/ZnTe absorber layer for optical trapping and efficiency improvement in CdTe-based solar – SCAPS modelling

Daouda,

Tchangnwa Nya,

Dzifack Kenfack

et al. 2024

Phys. Scr.

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This work is a theoretical contribution to improving the performance of CdTe-based thin-film solar cells (TFSC) by optimising the collection of photons in the absorber structure. The basic data are retrieved from experimental reference work and the reference structure is as follows: CdS/CdTe/ZnTe with an efficiency of 20.16%, where ZnTe is used as a BSF to limit backward recombination. The approach is to incorporate a ZnTe thin layer at the CdS/CdTe heterojunction, to subdivide the CdTe active layer into two (02) sub-layers and to identify the optimum structure as a function of their position in the stack. In an approach towards thickness reduction, numerical modelling are carried out using SCAPS software, which enables to calculate the current-voltage (J-V), power-voltage (P-V) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) output characteristics employing only 500 nm of absorber layer. The discontinuities in the material properties are assumed by modelling the interfaces at the heterojunctions, recombination and defect densities. The effects of defects states density, doping level in the CdTe active layer and external temperature were also investigated to gain a deeper understanding of how these factors can affect performances. In terms of the obtained fill factor (FF) and efficiency (PCE), the performances were improved with the following structure CdS/CdTe/ZnTe/CdTe/ZnTe, FF=81.6% and PCE=23.45%, with 500 nm thickness of CdTe. These results are opening a promising new perspective in high efficiency CdTe TFSC.

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Improving the absorption spectrum and performance of CIGS solar cells by optimizing the stepped band gap profile of the multilayer absorber

Cited by 16 publications

References 38 publications

Materials and interfaces properties optimization for high-efficient and more stable RbGeI3 perovskite solar cells: optoelectrical modelling

Materials and interfaces properties optimization for high-efficient and more stable RbGeI3 perovskite solar cells: optoelectrical modelling

Unravelling the intricacies of selenization in sequentially evaporated Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ Thin film solar cells on flexible substrates

Multilayers strategy with a mixed CdTe/ZnTe absorber layer for optical trapping and efficiency improvement in CdTe-based solar – SCAPS modelling

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Improving the absorption spectrum and performance of CIGS solar cells by optimizing the stepped band gap profile of the multilayer absorber

Cited by 16 publications

References 38 publications

Materials and interfaces properties optimization for high-efficient and more stable RbGeI3 perovskite solar cells: optoelectrical modelling

Materials and interfaces properties optimization for high-efficient and more stable RbGeI3 perovskite solar cells: optoelectrical modelling

Unravelling the intricacies of selenization in sequentially evaporated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin film solar cells on flexible substrates

Multilayers strategy with a mixed CdTe/ZnTe absorber layer for optical trapping and efficiency improvement in CdTe-based solar – SCAPS modelling

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Unravelling the intricacies of selenization in sequentially evaporated Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ Thin film solar cells on flexible substrates