Nanostructured photovoltaics

Abstract

In this review, we begin by discussing the need for harnessing renewable energy resources in the context of global energy demands. A summary of firstand second-generation solar cells, their efficiency and grid parity is provided, followed by the need to reduce material and installation costs, and achieve higher efficiencies beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit imposed on single junction cells. We also discuss the specific advantages offered by nanomaterials in enhanced energy harvesting, what design platforms comprise nanostructured photovoltaics, and list the prominent categories of nanomaterials used in the design of third generation solar cells. We review the significant nanostructured photovoltaic platforms that have encouraging power conversion efficiencies, have the potential for long term stability (both structural and functional) and have received attention in the field. In addition to their operational principle, we highlight both their advantages and shortcomings, along with insights into possible improvements. We include alternate routes to improving power conversion efficiency, not by tuning material properties to match the solar spectrum but using additives and/or structural modifications to allow more efficient harvesting of sunlight, either by reducing losses or by altering the spectral properties. The properties of nanomaterials that make them well-suited as active materials in photovoltaic devices (broadband absorption, high quantum yield, etc.) also make them ideal candidates for luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). These devices also harvest solar energy, but instead of directly allowing charge generation, they act as downconverters for other photovoltaic cells. We review dye, thin film, and quantum dot based LSCs that have garnered a lot of attention in recent years as these devices face a resurgence given the advances in materials science and engineering which have led to novel quantum dots and hybrid semiconductors. The review ends with where the future of nanostructured photovoltaics is headed, what device designs and materials development are needed to achieve efficiencies beyond the Shockley-Queisser limits and fulfil the goal of the 3rd and 4th generation photovoltaics.

Distance Matters: Effect of the Spacer Length on the Photophysical Properties of Multimodular Perylenediimide–Silicon Phthalocyanine–Fullerene Triads

“…In order to estimate the time constants for singlet-singlet energy transfer,d ecay associated spectra were generated, as shown in Figure 7b.Apositive peak at 700 nm characteristic of 1 SiPc* was observed at at ime constant of 22.8 ps, suggesting that the energy transfer occurs at this time scale in the dyad. [32] As econd negative component at 1.29 ns, much faster than the lifetimeo fc ontrol SiPc, suggested its involvement in additional electron transfer reaction.…”

“…Taking advantage of the vast amount of sunlight, and transforming it into electric power is, probably, one of the most investigated topics in recent years . Humanity is slowly becoming aware of the real necessity to stop consuming fossil fuels, and utilize clean and renewable energy.…”

“…Ta king advantage of the vast amount of sunlight, and transforming it into electric poweri s, probably,o ne of the most investigatedt opics in recent years. [1][2][3] Humanity is slowly becominga ware of the real necessity to stopc onsumingf ossil fuels, and utilize clean and renewable energy.I nt his context, mimicking the natural photosynthesis process appearst ob ea simple, yet effective, strategy to get molecular systems that are able to absorb and convert light to chemical or electrical energy. [4][5][6][7][8] From the point of view of molecular design, the combination of electron donor and electron acceptor subunits, with at least one of them playingt he antenna role, is the most straightforward strategyt oo btain artificial photosynthetic systems.T hese systems absorb light and trigger as equence of consecutive cascade of energya nd/ore lectron processes, to finally afford al ong-lived charged separated state, potentially usefuli np hotovoltaic and photocatalytic applications.…”

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

“…[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. Nucleate pool boiling is a widely studied method for thermal management in electronics cooling, batteries, and power plants.…”

Near field and far field plasmonic enhancements with bilayers of different dimensions AgNPs@DLC for improved current density in silicon solar

“…In particular, researchers are employing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and gold (Au NPs) to enhance light trapping performance. Metal nanoparticles improve the performance of the solar cell via enhancing light harvesting scattering and enhancing electron carrier from the high electric eld by localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) coupling with incident light [8,9]. Carbon-based materials could be appropriate choices for anti-re ective applications, due to their environmental and easy production on a large scale in solar panels.…”