Al-Diffused ZnO Transparent Conducting Oxide Thin Films for Cadmium Telluride Superstrate Solar Cells: A Comprehensive Study

Paul, Riza; Arulkumar, S.; Jenifer, K.; Parthiban, S.

doi:10.1007/s11664-022-10001-5

Cited by 10 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…Thin-film solar cells offer a significant benefit in terms of cost-effective production. By utilizing large-area deposition techniques with affordable materials, the manufacturing cost of the solar modules is reduced [14]. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of thin-film solar modules has exhibited a gradual decrease from 13% in 2010 to 4.5% in 2019.…”

Section: Thin-film Solar Panelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delamination Techniques of Waste Solar Panels: A Review

Ghahremani,

Adams,

Norton

et al. 2024

Clean Technol.

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Solar panels are an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels; however, their useful life is limited to approximately 25 years, after which they become a waste management issue. Proper management and recycling of end-of-life (EOL) solar panels are paramount. It protects the environment because of the high energy consumption of silicon production. We can effectively decrease energy and cost requirements by recovering silicon from recycled solar panels. This is one-third of those needed for manufacturing silicon directly. Moreover, solar panels include heavy metals, such as lead, tin, and cadmium, which pose risks to human health and the environment. Empirical evidence suggests that the costs of mining materials can exceed those of recycled materials, thereby making recycling a more cost-effective means of resource harvesting. This review paper focuses on the techniques developed to delaminate solar panels, which are considered a crucial step in the recycling of EOL solar panels. Initially, various classifications of solar panels are given. Subsequently, an analysis of the diverse methods of solar panel delamination and their efficacy in the retrieval of valued materials is presented. This investigation has identified three primary modes of delamination, namely mechanical, thermal, and chemical. Among these, mechanical delamination is deemed to be a sustainable and cost-effective option when compared to thermal and chemical delamination. The current most popular method of thermal delamination is characterized by its high energy consumption and potential emission, and the chemical delamination generates hazardous liquids that pose their own threat to the environment. This study emphasizes the mechanical delamination techniques, characterized by their environmentally friendly nature, minimal ecological footprint, and capacity to retrieve entire glass panels intact. This paper also discusses the current gaps and potential enhancements for mechanical delamination techniques. For example, some delamination techniques result in crushed materials. Thus, the handling and recovery of materials such as glass and silicon cells require the implementation of an appropriate sorting technique. Also, the value obtained from recovering crushed materials is lower than that of intact glass and silicon cells.

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Section: Thin-film Solar Panelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delamination Techniques of Waste Solar Panels: A Review

Ghahremani,

Adams,

Norton

et al. 2024

Clean Technol.

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“…It can be used in the form of nanowires, nanofilms, or nanoparticles. ZnO is highly transparent in the visible range of the spectrum, making it an ideal material for solar panels and LED applications [20]. Moreover, the planar structures of zinc oxide limited to two dimensions possess higher transparency than 1D materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Creation of One- and Two-Dimensional Copper and Zinc Oxides Semiconductor Structures

Murzin,

Kazanskiy

2023

Applied Sciences

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The most effective methods for the synthesis of nanostructured copper and zinc oxides, which have unique properties and potential applications in a variety of fields including electronics, photonics, sensorics, and energy conversion, are analyzed. Special attention is paid to laser-based methods for synthesizing oxide nanostructures, with an emphasis on the importance of controlling power density distribution to influence the quality and properties of the nanomaterials. The great significance of wavefront shaping techniques for controlling laser-initiated processes is highlighted, which enable precise control over the phase and amplitude of light waves to achieve desired outcomes in optics and laser-assisted formation of one- and two-dimensional structures of oxide semiconductor materials. Diffractive computer optics is presented as a powerful tool for precise beam control. The significance of laser-induced thermochemical processes for creating and improving the properties of ZnO and CuO-based nanomaterials is discussed. The presented analysis shows that the synthesis of nanocomposites based on ZnO and CuO using pulse-periodic laser treatment, coupled with precise laser beam control using free-form diffractive optics, presents novel opportunities for applications in optoelectronics, sensor technology, electronics and portable energy sources manufacturing, and various other fields.

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