Photosupercapacitors: A perspective of planar and flexible dual functioning devices

Abstract

The development of technologies to convert solar energy and store it into a usable form of energy at a massive scale is a major thrust of research worldwide. Therefore, suitable energy storage options/devices are being sought after to store electrical energy generated by solar cells through harvesting solar radiation. The integration of solar energy converting device with supercapacitors (SCs) as a single device-called as photosupercapacitor, has great potential to power wearable and portable electronics. This dual functioning device stores the harvested energy electrochemically to provide an alternative source of power, may address the pressing issues for storage of the generated electrical energy. Different configurations to integrate solar cells and storage devices are being explored, and the integration of solar cells, particularly third-generation, with SCs can provide high-power conversion efficiencies. Nonetheless, the exploration of flexible electronics to meet the demand for wearable devices that operate continuously without an external power supply is highly desired. In this article, we have thoroughly discussed the developments of integrated devices based on third-generation planar and flexible solar devices, which include: dye-sensitized, quantum dot sensitized, organic, perovskite using SCs as energy-storage devices. Besides, the emphasis is also given on integrated flexible or wearable systems as self-charging and self-powered integrated systems. The present perplexing issues and their research perspectives are also elaborated to stimulate the advancement of such integrated devices in the upcoming years.

Selective Growth of Molybdenum Sulfo-Selenides on a Defect-Rich Carbon Nanotube Skeleton for Efficient Energy Storage and Hydrogen Generation Applications

“…The storage and conversion of transitory renewable energy have been touted as viable solutions to the energy dilemma. Compared to conventional energy storage devices, supercapacitors are at the forefront due to their low cost, prolonged cycle lifetime, and high power density. − The current research interest is to fabricate supercapacitors with energy density similar to that of batteries. Similarly, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) process is another enticing technique, and the most intriguing part of HER is that, unlike other chemical reactions, it does not harm the climate by generating greenhouse gases.…”

A Simplified Equivalent Circuit Model for the Photo-Charging Process of Carbon-Based Quasi-Solid Photosupercapacitors

“…Furthermore, the coupling of solar energy harvesting and storage in a single device has the advantage of compactness for portable or wearable systems, sensors, microsystems, among others. [9][10][11][12] These hybrid devices combine the photovoltaic and storage properties of stand-alone devices into a single one named, photosupercapacitor (PhSc). 13 This way, a PhSc with a solar cell as its conversion stage would transform Sunlight into electrical energy that can be stored in a Sc as its storage stage.…”

“…26,27 The selection of the type of electrode materials and device fabrication process play an important role in the photo-charging and discharging process of PhScs. For example, some PhScs show a fast-charging process (less than 10 s), 12,22,24,25 whereas others are slower (more than 100 s). 12,17,20 This charge-discharge process requires a detailed analysis as a functions of the resistive and capacitive properties of the PhSc.…”

“…For example, some PhScs show a fast-charging process (less than 10 s), 12,22,24,25 whereas others are slower (more than 100 s). 12,17,20 This charge-discharge process requires a detailed analysis as a functions of the resistive and capacitive properties of the PhSc. Therefore, we demonstrate that the photo-charging process is influenced by the internal parameters of both components: the solar cell and the Sc.…”