Review of the Multi-scale Nano-structure Approach to the Development of High Efficiency Solar Cells

Ko, Seung Hwan

doi:10.1080/23080477.2014.11665604

Cited by 20 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Solar thermal energy devices include Rankine cycle engines [ 2 ], solar dryers [ 3 ], solar thermoelectric generators [ 4 ], solar thermal reformers [ 5 , 6 ], and solar water heaters [ 7 ]. Nanomaterials, furthermore, have many unique physical properties that make them very attractive and useful in the conversion and utilization of solar energy [ 8 , 9 ]. Most of the research efforts up to date have been focused on photovoltaics and photocatalysis [ 10 – 16 ], and only a few nanomaterials have been applied in solar thermal energy conversion systems [ 4 , 17 – 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicon Nanowires for Solar Thermal Energy Harvesting: an Experimental Evaluation on the Trade-off Effects of the Spectral Optical Properties

et al. 2016

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Silicon nanowire possesses great potential as the material for renewable energy harvesting and conversion. The significantly reduced spectral reflectivity of silicon nanowire to visible light makes it even more attractive in solar energy applications. However, the benefit of its use for solar thermal energy harvesting remains to be investigated and has so far not been clearly reported. The purpose of this study is to provide practical information and insight into the performance of silicon nanowires in solar thermal energy conversion systems. Spectral hemispherical reflectivity and transmissivity of the black silicon nanowire array on silicon wafer substrate were measured. It was observed that the reflectivity is lower in the visible range but higher in the infrared range compared to the plain silicon wafer. A drying experiment and a theoretical calculation were carried out to directly evaluate the effects of the trade-off between scattering properties at different wavelengths. It is clearly seen that silicon nanowires can improve the solar thermal energy harnessing. The results showed that a 17.8 % increase in the harvest and utilization of solar thermal energy could be achieved using a silicon nanowire array on silicon substrate as compared to that obtained with a plain silicon wafer.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicon Nanowires for Solar Thermal Energy Harvesting: an Experimental Evaluation on the Trade-off Effects of the Spectral Optical Properties

et al. 2016

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“…15,16 Recently, the interest in optimising the interfacial layer between the dye and inorganic photoanode has grown rapidly within the DSSC community. Substantial improvement in DSSC performance could be attained by engineering the dye-TiO 2 interface in order to: (1) reduce the recombination of charge carriers by both the passivation of surface state traps at the interface and the retardation of the back-transfer of photoinjected electrons from the TiO 2 conduction band to the oxidized red-ox species; (2) increase the injection yields and collection efficiencies of photogenerated carriers from dye to TiO 2 ; and (3) increase the light absorption efficiency by enhancing the amount of dye uptake.…”

Section: -14mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although ALD is less cost effective compared to other deposition techniques, it ensures the uniform and conformal coating of a pinhole-free, angstromthick metal-oxide layer over the entire substrate surface, which is imperative to improve material/device performance, especially in high aspect ratio features. 15,16,19,21 Taking all these factors into consideration, this work aims to improve DSSC device performance through the surface modication of hydrothermally-grown TiO 2 NWs using sub-nanometer ALDcoated ZnO shell-like interfacial layers. The results show that a composite photoanode formed by an optimally thick ZnO shell wrapped around TiO 2 NWs signicantly enhances the PV performance of the DSSC device by reducing surface trap states on TiO 2 NWs and increasing the dye loading amount without hampering electron injection efficiency, which is the main trade-off when using high band gap metal-oxide-coated NWbased photoanodes.…”

Section: 28mentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface engineered angstrom thick ZnO-sheathed TiO₂ nanowires as photoanodes for performance enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells

Ghobadi

Okyay

2014

J. Mater. Chem. A

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This paper presents a systematic study on the effects of angstrom-thick atomic layer deposited (ALD) ZnO sheaths on hydrothermally-grown TiO 2 nanowires (NWs) used as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We designed, synthesized and characterized the samples prepared using different numbers of ZnO cycles and compared their photovoltaic (PV) performances. The device consisting of TiO 2 NWs coated with the optimum thickness (two cycles) of ZnO shell exhibits a three-fold increase in efficiency compared to a control reference device. This paper reports results and features that demonstrate the passivation of surface state traps upon deposition of ZnO shells. While this passivation of surface traps provides a reduction in the back-reactions of the surface state mediated electrons (K trap ET ), it is speculated that ZnO-induced surface band bending (SBB) substantially reduces the recombination rate of the device by reducing the recombination rate of the conduction band (CB) electrons (K CB ET ). Moreover, an enhancement in the amount of dye uptake for ZnO-coated TiO 2 samples is observed and explained with the isoelectric point (IEP) concept. In spite of the excellent PV power conversion efficiencies achieved by the first ZnO cycles, thicker layers impede the electron injection rate, reducing the efficiency of the device by capturing the photogenerated dye electrons in ZnO quantum wells. Here, we investigate the mechanisms contributing to this unprecedented change and correlate them with the enhancement in device efficiency.

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“…As investigated above, Cu NW-based TCFs have shown excellent performance in terms of optoelectronic properties and mechanical flexibility. Therefore, they have potential application in various optoelectronic devices such as touchscreens [ 31 , 83 ], solar cells [ 63 , 84 , 85 , 86 ], OLEDs [ 81 , 87 , 88 ], and sensors [ 89 , 90 ]. Stewart et al showed that organic solar cells (OSCs) using Cu core –Ni shell NW films as transparent anodes can achieve a device efficiency of 4.9%, nearly equivalent to the 5% efficiency of OSCs utilizing Ag NW anodes [ 63 ].…”

Section: Applications and Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Copper Nanowires and Their Applications for Flexible, Transparent Conducting Films: A Review

2016

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Cu nanowires (NWs) are attracting considerable attention as alternatives to Ag NWs for next-generation transparent conductors, replacing indium tin oxide (ITO) and micro metal grids. Cu NWs hold great promise for low-cost fabrication via a solution-processed route and show preponderant optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. In this study, we report a summary of recent advances in research on Cu NWs, covering the optoelectronic properties, synthesis routes, deposition methods to fabricate flexible transparent conducting films, and their potential applications. This review also examines the approaches on protecting Cu NWs from oxidation in air environments.

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Review of the Multi-scale Nano-structure Approach to the Development of High Efficiency Solar Cells

Cited by 20 publications

References 40 publications

Silicon Nanowires for Solar Thermal Energy Harvesting: an Experimental Evaluation on the Trade-off Effects of the Spectral Optical Properties

Silicon Nanowires for Solar Thermal Energy Harvesting: an Experimental Evaluation on the Trade-off Effects of the Spectral Optical Properties

Surface engineered angstrom thick ZnO-sheathed TiO₂ nanowires as photoanodes for performance enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells

Copper Nanowires and Their Applications for Flexible, Transparent Conducting Films: A Review

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Review of the Multi-scale Nano-structure Approach to the Development of High Efficiency Solar Cells

Cited by 20 publications

References 40 publications

Silicon Nanowires for Solar Thermal Energy Harvesting: an Experimental Evaluation on the Trade-off Effects of the Spectral Optical Properties

Silicon Nanowires for Solar Thermal Energy Harvesting: an Experimental Evaluation on the Trade-off Effects of the Spectral Optical Properties

Surface engineered angstrom thick ZnO-sheathed TiO2 nanowires as photoanodes for performance enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells

Copper Nanowires and Their Applications for Flexible, Transparent Conducting Films: A Review

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Surface engineered angstrom thick ZnO-sheathed TiO₂ nanowires as photoanodes for performance enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells