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Chen W, Cao W, Liu R, Dong C, Wan Z, Chen J, Ashebir GY, Wang M. Solution-Processed All-inorganic Planar Heterojunction Solar Cells by Employing In Situ Grown Interfacial Layer with Dual Functions: Complementary Absorption and Selective Extraction of Photogenerated Holes. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:6973-6980. [PMID: 33748611 PMCID: PMC7970575 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c06231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Photovoltaic conversion of renewable solar energy into electricity for sustainable energy production requires efficient, stable, and low-cost solar cells. Developing solution-processed all-inorganic solar cells is a practical scenario in virtue of the high charge mobility and good stability of inorganic semiconductors. Here, for the first time, we present a solution-processed all-inorganic planar heterojunction solar cell based on the nanoparticle film of copper indium sulfide (CuInS2) by using an antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) nanoparticle film as an interfacial layer between the CuInS2 photon-harvesting layer and cathode. All of the component layers in the solar cell are in a superstrate architecture and sequentially in situ grown on a transparent conducting glass acting as anode by solution-processing methods. The dependences of device performance on the thickness of Sb2S3 film and the reduction of hole-trapping centers in the Sb2S3 film by thioacetamide treatment are investigated. The optimized all-inorganic device exhibits the best power conversion efficiency of 4.85% under AM 1.5G illumination and an excellent thermal stability. It is found that the Sb2S3 interfacial layer sandwiched between the CuInS2 photon-harvesting layer and counter-electrode has dual functions, that is, to provide complementary absorption after CuInS2 attenuation and to act as an effective hole-transporting layer to selectively extract photogenerated holes for effective charge collection efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangwei Chen
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- University
of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P. R. China
| | - Wenbo Cao
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- University
of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P. R. China
| | - Rong Liu
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- University
of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P. R. China
| | - Chao Dong
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyang Wan
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- University
of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P. R. China
| | - Junwei Chen
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
| | - Getinet Y. Ashebir
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- University
of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P. R. China
| | - Mingtai Wang
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
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Tani Y, Imada K, Kamimura T, Takahashi M, Anpo M, Higashimoto S. Solution-processed fabrication of copper indium sulfide (CuInS2) as optical absorber for superstrate CuInS2/CdS/TiO2 solid-state solar cells. RESEARCH ON CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11164-020-04349-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Pereyra CJ, Di Iorio Y, Berruet M, Vazquez M, Marotti RE. Carrier recombination and transport dynamics in superstrate solar cells analyzed by modeling the intensity modulated photoresponses. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:20360-20371. [PMID: 31497818 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp04256c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The dynamics of carrier recombination and transport of two CuInS2 superstrate solar cells was studied by intensity modulated photovoltage and photocurrent spectroscopy (IMVS and IMPS respectively). For the analysis of the resulting data two different approaches were implemented. In the first approach, the typically used analysis in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) was adapted to obtain the characteristic times of the processes involved. The second approach was based on the fittings of both the IMVS and IMPS data to the solution of the continuity equation. These fittings allow the calculation of different dynamic parameters of the cells. Moreover, consistency between the obtained parameters was observed, in good agreement with the typical analysis for DSSC. The resulting dynamics was associated with the presence and distribution of defect states among the samples. Moreover, from the performed analysis, a relation between the results and the post-treatment applied to the solar cells could be established. The difference in the dynamics of the cells is mainly observed in the difference between the electron lifetimes of both solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Pereyra
- Instituto de Física, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Julio Herrera y Reissig 565, C.C. 30, 11000 Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Latha M, Aruna-Devi R, Velumani S, Murali B, Santoyo-Salazar J, de Moure-Flores F. Solution based synthesis of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 microcrystals and thin films. RSC Adv 2019; 9:35197-35208. [PMID: 35530668 PMCID: PMC9074129 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra07750b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Herein, for the first time, we report the synthesis of quaternary Cu(In,Ga)Se2 microcrystals (CIGSe MCs) using a facile and economical one-pot heating-up method. The most important parameters such as reaction temperature and time were varied to study their influences on the structural, morphological, compositional and optical properties of the MCs. Based on the results, the formation of CIGSe was initiated from binary β-CuSe and then converted into pure phase CIGSe by gradual incorporation of In3+ and Ga3+ ions into the β-CuSe crystal lattice. As the reaction time increases, the band gap energy was increased from 1.10 to 1.28 eV, whereas the size of the crystals increased from 0.9 to 3.1 μm. Besides, large-scale synthesis of CIGSe MCs exhibited a high reaction yield of 90%. Furthermore, the CIGSe MCs dispersed in the ethanol was coated as thin films by a drop casting method, which showed the optimum carrier concentration, high mobility and low resistivity. Moreover, the photoconductivity of the CIGSe MC thin film was enhanced by three order magnitude in comparison with CIGSe NC thin films. The solar cells fabricated with CIGSe MCs showed the PCE of 0.59% which is 14.75 times higher than CIGSe NCs. These preliminary results confirmed the potential of CIGSe MCs as an active absorber layer in low-cost thin film solar cells. Herein, for the first time, we report the synthesis of quaternary Cu(In,Ga)Se2 microcrystals (CIGSe MCs) using a facile and economical one-pot heating-up method.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Latha
- Facultad de Química
- Materiales-Energía
- Universidad Autónomade Querétaro (UAQ)
- Santiago de Querétaro
- Mexico
| | - R. Aruna-Devi
- Facultad de Química
- Materiales-Energía
- Universidad Autónomade Querétaro (UAQ)
- Santiago de Querétaro
- Mexico
| | - S. Velumani
- Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica
- C.P. 07360 Ciudad de México
- Mexico
| | - B. Murali
- Solar Cells and Photonics Research Laboratory
- School of Chemistry
- University of Hyderabad
- India
| | | | - F. de Moure-Flores
- Facultad de Química
- Materiales-Energía
- Universidad Autónomade Querétaro (UAQ)
- Santiago de Querétaro
- Mexico
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Coughlan C, Ibáñez M, Dobrozhan O, Singh A, Cabot A, Ryan KM. Compound Copper Chalcogenide Nanocrystals. Chem Rev 2017; 117:5865-6109. [PMID: 28394585 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 331] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This review captures the synthesis, assembly, properties, and applications of copper chalcogenide NCs, which have achieved significant research interest in the last decade due to their compositional and structural versatility. The outstanding functional properties of these materials stems from the relationship between their band structure and defect concentration, including charge carrier concentration and electronic conductivity character, which consequently affects their optoelectronic, optical, and plasmonic properties. This, combined with several metastable crystal phases and stoichiometries and the low energy of formation of defects, makes the reproducible synthesis of these materials, with tunable parameters, remarkable. Further to this, the review captures the progress of the hierarchical assembly of these NCs, which bridges the link between their discrete and collective properties. Their ubiquitous application set has cross-cut energy conversion (photovoltaics, photocatalysis, thermoelectrics), energy storage (lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen generation), emissive materials (plasmonics, LEDs, biolabelling), sensors (electrochemical, biochemical), biomedical devices (magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray computer tomography), and medical therapies (photochemothermal therapies, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and drug delivery). The confluence of advances in the synthesis, assembly, and application of these NCs in the past decade has the potential to significantly impact society, both economically and environmentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coughlan
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick , Limerick, Ireland
| | - Maria Ibáñez
- Catalonia Energy Research Institute - IREC, Sant Adria de Besos , Jardins de les Dones de Negre n.1, Pl. 2, 08930 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oleksandr Dobrozhan
- Catalonia Energy Research Institute - IREC, Sant Adria de Besos , Jardins de les Dones de Negre n.1, Pl. 2, 08930 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Electronics and Computing, Sumy State University , 2 Rymskogo-Korsakova st., 40007 Sumy, Ukraine
| | - Ajay Singh
- Materials Physics & Applications Division: Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Andreu Cabot
- Catalonia Energy Research Institute - IREC, Sant Adria de Besos , Jardins de les Dones de Negre n.1, Pl. 2, 08930 Barcelona, Spain.,ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kevin M Ryan
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick , Limerick, Ireland
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Roth SV. A deep look into the spray coating process in real-time-the crucial role of x-rays. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2016; 28:403003. [PMID: 27537198 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/28/40/403003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Tailoring functional thin films and coating by rapid solvent-based processes is the basis for the fabrication of large scale high-end applications in nanotechnology. Due to solvent loss of the solution or dispersion inherent in the installation of functional thin films and multilayers the spraying and drying processes are strongly governed by non-equilibrium kinetics, often passing through transient states, until the final structure is installed. Therefore, the challenge is to observe the structural build-up during these coating processes in a spatially and time-resolved manner on multiple time and length scales, from the nanostructure to macroscopic length scales. During installation, the interaction of solid-fluid interfaces and between the different layers, the flow and evaporation themselves determine the structure of the coating. Advanced x-ray scattering methods open a powerful pathway for observing the involved processes in situ, from the spray to the coating, and allow for gaining deep insight in the nanostructuring processes. This review first provides an overview over these rapidly evolving methods, with main focus on functional coatings, organic photovoltaics and organic electronics. Secondly the role and decisive advantage of x-rays is outlined. Thirdly, focusing on spray deposition as a rapidly emerging method, recent advances in investigations of spray deposition of functional materials and devices via advanced x-ray scattering methods are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan V Roth
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Notkestr. 85, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany. Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 56-58, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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So D, Pradhan S, Konstantatos G. Solid-state colloidal CuInS 2 quantum dot solar cells enabled by bulk heterojunctions. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:16776-16785. [PMID: 27714085 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr05563j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal copper indium sulfide (CIS) nanocrystals (NCs) are Pb- and Cd-free alternatives for use as absorbers in quantum dot solar cells. In a heterojunction with TiO2, non-annealed ligand-exchanged CIS NCs form solar cells yielding a meager power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.15%, with photocurrents plummeting far below predicted values from absorption. Decreasing the amount of zinc during post-treatment leads to improved mobility but marginal improvement in device performance (PCE = 0.30%). By incorporating CIS into a porous TiO2 network, we saw an overall drastic improvement in device performance, reaching a PCE of 1.16%, mainly from an increase in short circuit current density (Jsc) and fill factor (FF) and a 10-fold increase in internal quantum efficiency (IQE). We have determined that by moving from a bilayer to a bulk heterojunction architecture, we have reduced the trap-assisted recombination as seen in changes in the ideality factor, the intensity dependence of the photocurrent and transient photocurrent (TPC) and photovoltage (TPV) characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- D So
- ICFO, Institute of Photonic Sciences, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels 08860, Spain.
| | - S Pradhan
- ICFO, Institute of Photonic Sciences, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels 08860, Spain.
| | - G Konstantatos
- ICFO, Institute of Photonic Sciences, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels 08860, Spain. and Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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