Preparation of MoS2/graphene nanocomposite-based photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

Metallic nanoparticles and hybrids of metallic nanoparticles/graphene nanomaterials for enhanced photon harvesting and charge transport in polymer and dye sensitized solar cells

Solar energy is a sustainable option in the provision of affordable and clean energy. Conversion of solar energy to electricity requires the development of materials and technologies that are not only efficient but also cost-effective. Polymer solar cells (PSCs) and dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are some of the cost-effective technologies for solar energy conversion. However, PSCs suffer from poor optical absorption and charge carrier mobility, while the major drawback to high efficiencies in DSSCs is charge carrier recombination. This article examines the potency of plasmonic metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) and hybrids of MNPs/graphene nanomaterials (GNMs) in mitigating these challenges. MNPs and MNPs/GNMs incorporated in these devices enhance light harvesting to extended wavelengths and improve charge transport. MNPs in the photoanode of DSSCs serve as cosensitizers to offer complementary optical absorption, while MNPs/GNMs as counter electrode yield high catalytic activity comparable to Pt. Simultaneous application of MNPs and/or MNPs/GNMs in PSCs' interfacial and active layers yield enhanced broadband optical absorption and effective charge transport. The mechanisms by which these nanomaterials enhance light harvesting in these devices are discussed in detail. The material characteristics that influence the performance of MNPs and MNPs/GNMs modified devices, such as MNPs size, shape, and morphology, are highlighted. Hence, this article presents perspectives and strategies on successful utilization of plasmonic MNPs and hybrids of MNPs/GNMs to mitigate the challenges of poor optical absorption and charge transport of PSCs and DSSCs for high efficiencies.

3D graphene: synthesis, properties, and solar cell applications

Three-dimensional (3D) graphene is one of the most important nanomaterials. This feature article highlights the advancements, with an emphasis on contributions from our group, in the synthesis of 3D graphene-based materials and their utilization in solar cells. Chemistries of graphene oxides, hydrocarbons, and alkali metals are discussed for the synthesis of 3D graphene materials. Their performances in dye-sensitized solar cells and perovskite solar cells (as counter electrodes, photoelectrodes, and electron extracting layers) were correlatively analyzed with their properties/structures (accessible surface area, electrical conductivity, defects, and functional groups). The challenges and prospects for their applications in photovoltaic solar cells are outlined.

Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides in Electrochemical Batteries and Solar Cells

The advent of new nanomaterials has resulted in dramatic developments in the field of energy production and storage. Due to their unique structure and properties, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are the most promising from the list of materials recently introduced in the field. The amazing progress in the use TMDs for energy storage and production inspired us to review the recent research on TMD-based catalysts and electrode materials. In this report, we examine TMDs in a variety of electrochemical batteries and solar cells with special focus on MoS₂ as the most studied and used TMD material.

Solution-processed two-dimensional materials for next-generation photovoltaics

In the ever-increasing energy demand scenario, the development of novel photovoltaic (PV) technologies is considered to be one of the key solutions to fulfil the energy request. In this context, graphene and related two-dimensional (2D) materials (GRMs), including nonlayered 2D materials and 2D perovskites, as well as their hybrid systems, are emerging as promising candidates to drive innovation in PV technologies. The mechanical, thermal, and optoelectronic properties of GRMs can be exploited in different active components of solar cells to design next-generation devices. These components include front (transparent) and back conductive electrodes, charge transporting layers, and interconnecting/recombination layers, as well as photoactive layers. The production and processing of GRMs in the liquid phase, coupled with the ability to "on-demand" tune their optoelectronic properties exploiting wet-chemical functionalization, enable their effective integration in advanced PV devices through scalable, reliable, and inexpensive printing/coating processes. Herein, we review the progresses in the use of solution-processed 2D materials in organic solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, perovskite solar cells, quantum dot solar cells, and organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells, as well as in tandem systems. We first provide a brief introduction on the properties of 2D materials and their production methods by solution-processing routes. Then, we discuss the functionality of 2D materials for electrodes, photoactive layer components/additives, charge transporting layers, and interconnecting layers through figures of merit, which allow the performance of solar cells to be determined and compared with the state-of-the-art values. We finally outline the roadmap for the further exploitation of solution-processed 2D materials to boost the performance of PV devices.

Modern Nanocomposites and Hybrids as Electrode Materials Used in Energy Carriers

Over the past decades, the application of new hybrid materials in energy storage systems has seen significant development. The efforts have been made to improve electrochemical performance, cyclic stability, and cell life. To achieve this, attempts have been made to modify existing electrode materials. This was achieved by using nano-scale materials. A reduction of size enabled an obtainment of changes of conductivity, efficient energy storage and/or conversion (better kinetics), emergence of superparamagnetism, and the enhancement of optical properties, resulting in better electrochemical performance. The design of hybrid heterostructures enabled taking full advantage of each component, synergistic effect, and interaction between components, resulting in better cycle stability and conductivity. Nowadays, nanocomposite has ended up one of the foremost prevalent materials with potential applications in batteries, flexible cells, fuel cells, photovoltaic cells, and photocatalysis. The main goal of this review is to highlight a new progress of different hybrid materials, nanocomposites (also polymeric) used in lithium-ion (LIBs) and sodium-ion (NIBs) cells, solar cells, supercapacitors, and fuel cells and their electrochemical performance.

Recent advances in graphene-based materials for dye-sensitized solar cell fabrication

In the past few years, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have received considerable research attention, as potential alternatives to the commonly used, but expensive, silicon-based solar cells owing to the low-cost, facile fabrication procedures, less impact on the environment, capability of working even under low incoming light levels, and flexibility of DSSCs. However, the relatively low power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and poor long-term operational stability of DSSCs still limit their large-scale and commercial applications. As a consequence, this has prompted tremendous research effort towards the realization of high performance and sustainable devices, through tailoring of the properties of the various DSSC components, via approaches such as introducing novel materials and new synthesis techniques. Among these, the application of novel materials, especially carbon-based materials, such as graphene and its derivatives, is more appealing due to their excellent optoelectronic, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties, which give them ample potential to replace or modify the traditional materials that are commonly used in the fabrication of the various DSSC components. In addition, the low-cost, abundance, non-toxicity, large specific surface area, flexibility and superior stability of graphene-based materials have enabled their recent use as photoanodes, i.e., transparent conducting electrodes, semiconducting layers and dye-sensitizers, electrolytes and counter electrodes in DSSCs. Recently, the introduction of graphene-based materials into DSSCs resulted in a pronounced increase in PCE from ∼0.13 to above 12.00%. Thus, employing the recent breakthroughs can further improve the optoelectronic properties of the various DSSC components and, hence, close the gap between DSSCs and their silicon-based counterparts that are currently exhibiting desirable PCEs of above 26%. Therefore, this review focuses on the recent applications of graphene-based materials as photoanodes, electrolytes and counter electrodes, for the possible fabrication of all-carbon-based DSSCs. The limitations, merits and future prospects of graphene-based DSSCs are discussed, so as to improve their photovoltaic performance, sustainability and cost-effectiveness.