1
|
Alam S, Sim S, Li MQ, Chang BJ, Lee J. Recent Progress in Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells: Photoabsorbent Materials and Design Strategies. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:493. [PMID: 38675304 PMCID: PMC11051828 DOI: 10.3390/mi15040493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The increasing energy demands of the global community can be met with solar energy. Solution-processed organic solar cells have seen great progress in power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). Semitransparent organic solar cells (ST-OSCs) have made enormous progress in recent years and have been considered one of the most promising solar cell technologies for applications in building-integrated windows, agricultural greenhouses, and wearable energy resources. Therefore, through the synergistic efforts of transparent electrodes, engineering in near-infrared photoabsorbent materials, and device engineering, high-performance ST-OSCs have developed, and PCE and average visible transmittance reach over 10% and 40%, respectively. In this review, we present the recent progress in photoabsorbent material engineering and strategies for enhancing the performance of ST-OSCs to help researchers gain a better understanding of structure-property-performance relationships. To conclude, new design concepts in material engineering and outlook are proposed to facilitate the further development of high-performance ST-OSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shabaz Alam
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (S.A.); (S.S.); (M.Q.L.)
| | - Suhui Sim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (S.A.); (S.S.); (M.Q.L.)
| | - Meng Qiang Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (S.A.); (S.S.); (M.Q.L.)
| | - Bong-Jun Chang
- Interface Materials and Chemical Engineering Research Center, Advanced Materials Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), 141 Gajeongro, Yuseong, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jaewon Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (S.A.); (S.S.); (M.Q.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Çokduygulular E, Çetinkaya Ç, Emik S, Kınacı B. In-depth analysis on PTB7 based semi-transparent solar cell employing MoO 3/Ag/WO 3 contact for advanced optical performance and light utilization. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7548. [PMID: 37161038 PMCID: PMC10170103 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34507-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel semi-transparent organic solar cells (ST-OSC) can be designed with high average visible transmittance (AVT) while at the same time exhibiting superior photovoltaic performance. This reach requires their design to be based not only on conventional window applications but also on functional industrial applications that require exceptional optical performance. In ST-OSC, high AVT can be achieved by photonic-based dielectric/metal/dielectric (DMD) transparent contact engineering. Functional optical modification can also be made with a fine-tuned design of DMD that includes a light management engineering-based approach. Thus, ST-OSCs can be suitable for aesthetic, colourful and decorative industrial windows that provide natural lighting. In this study, we determined optimal ST-OSCs based on a novel PTB7:PC71BM polymer blend with MoO3/Ag/WO3 asymmetric DMD top contact by examining extraordinary optical properties such as AVT, colour rendering index, correlated colour temperature and colour perception over 10 thousand designs. In addition to determining the optimality and extraordinary optical limits for PTB7, we also evaluated the photon-harvesting and photovoltaic performance of ST-OSCs from external quantum efficiency and quantum utilization efficiency. In optimal situations, ST-OSCs offering 48.75% AVT, 99.08 CRI, and sky-blue colours were designed and determined to generate short-circuit current densities of 9.88 mA·cm-2, 13.64 mA·cm-2, and 13.06 mA·cm-2, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erman Çokduygulular
- Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, 34320, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Çağlar Çetinkaya
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34134, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serkan Emik
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, 34320, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Barış Kınacı
- Department of Photonics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Gazi University, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
- Photonics Application and Research Center, Gazi University, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Çetinkaya Ç, Çokduygulular E, Kınacı B, Güzelçimen F, Özen Y, Efkere Hİ, Candan İ, Emik S, Özçelik S. Design and fabrication of a semi-transparent solar cell considering the effect of the layer thickness of MoO 3/Ag/MoO 3 transparent top contact on optical and electrical properties. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13079. [PMID: 34158559 PMCID: PMC8219690 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92539-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We conducted the present study to design and manufacture a semi-transparent organic solar cell (ST-OSC). First, we formed a transparent top contact as MoO3/Ag/MoO3 in a dielectric/metal/dielectric (DMD) structure. We performed the production of an FTO/ZnO/P3HT:PCBM/MoO3/Ag/MoO3 ST-OSC by integrating MoO3/Ag/MoO3 (10/[Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] nm) instead of an Ag electrode in an opaque FTO/ZnO/P3HT:PCBM/MoO3/Ag (-/40/130/10/100 nm) OSC, after theoretically achieving optimal values of optical and electrical parameters depending on Ag layer thickness. The transparency decreased with the increase of [Formula: see text] values for current DMD. Meanwhile, maximum transmittance and average visible transmittance (AVT) indicated the maximum values of over 92% for [Formula: see text] = 4 and 8 nm, respectively. For ST-OSCs, the absorption and reflectance increased in the visible region by a wavelength of longer than 560 nm and in the whole near-infrared region by increasing [Formula: see text] up to 16 nm. Moreover, in the CIE chromaticity diagram, we reported a shift towards the D65 Planckian locus for colour coordinates of current ST-OSCs. Electrical analysis indicated the photogenerated current density and AVT values for [Formula: see text] nm as 63.30 mA/cm2 and 38.52%, respectively. Thus, the theoretical and experimental comparison of optical and electrical characteristics confirmed that the manufactured structure is potentially conducive for a high-performance ST-OSC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Çağlar Çetinkaya
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34134, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Istanbul University, 34116, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Erman Çokduygulular
- Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, 34320, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Barış Kınacı
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34134, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Feyza Güzelçimen
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34134, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yunus Özen
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Gazi University, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
- Photonics Application and Research Center, Gazi University, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Halil İbrahim Efkere
- Photonics Application and Research Center, Gazi University, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
- Deparment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Gazi University, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İdris Candan
- Department of Physics, Kocaeli University, 41001, İzmit, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Serkan Emik
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, 34320, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Süleyman Özçelik
- Photonics Application and Research Center, Gazi University, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Photonics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Gazi University, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
van der Pol TP, Li J, van Gorkom BT, Colberts FJM, Wienk MM, Janssen RAJ. Analysis of the Performance of Narrow-Bandgap Organic Solar Cells Based on a Diketopyrrolopyrrole Polymer and a Nonfullerene Acceptor. THE JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. C, NANOMATERIALS AND INTERFACES 2021; 125:5505-5517. [PMID: 33828634 PMCID: PMC8016210 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c11377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The combination of narrow-bandgap diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) polymers and nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) seems well-matched for solar cells that exclusively absorb in the near infrared but they rarely provide high efficiency. One reason is that processing of the active layer is complicated by the fact that DPP-based polymers are generally only sufficiently soluble in chloroform (CF), while NFAs are preferably processed from halogenated aromatic solvents. By using a ternary solvent system consisting of CF, 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO), and chlorobenzene (CB), the short-circuit current density is increased by 50% in solar cells based on a DPP polymer (PDPP5T) and a NFA (IEICO-4F) compared to the use of CF with DIO only. However, the open-circuit voltage and fill factor are reduced. As a result, the efficiency improves from 3.4 to 4.8% only. The use of CB results in stronger aggregation of IEICO-4F as inferred from two-dimensional grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray diffraction. Photo- and electroluminescence and mobility measurements indicate that the changes in performance can be ascribed to a more aggregated blend film in which charge generation is increased but nonradiative recombination is enhanced because of reduced hole mobility. Hence, while CB is essential to obtain well-ordered domains of IEICO-4F in blends with PDPP5T, the morphology and resulting hole mobility of PDPP5T domains remain suboptimal. The results identify the challenges in processing organic solar cells based on DPP polymers and NFAs as near-infrared absorbing photoactive layers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tom P.
A. van der Pol
- Molecular
Materials and Nanosystems & Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Junyu Li
- Molecular
Materials and Nanosystems & Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Bas T. van Gorkom
- Molecular
Materials and Nanosystems & Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Fallon J. M. Colberts
- Energy
Engineering, Zuyd University of Applied
Sciences, Nieuw Eyckholt
300, Heerlen 6419 DJ, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn M. Wienk
- Molecular
Materials and Nanosystems & Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - René A. J. Janssen
- Molecular
Materials and Nanosystems & Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Dutch
Institute for Fundamental Energy Research, Eindhoven, 5612 AJ, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
The rapid efficiency enhancement of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) make it a promising photovoltaic (PV) research, which has now drawn attention from industries and government organizations to invest for further development of PSC technology. PSC technology continuously develops into new and improved results. However, stability, toxicity, cost, material production and fabrication become the significant factors, which limits the expansion of PSCs. PSCs integration into a building in the form of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) is one of the most holistic approaches to exploit it as a next-generation PV technology. Integration of high efficiency and semi-transparent PSC in BIPV is still not a well-established area. The purpose of this review is to get an overview of the relative scope of PSCs integration in the BIPV sector. This review demonstrates the benevolence of PSCs by stimulating energy conversion and its perspective and gradual evolution in terms of photovoltaic applications to address the challenge of increasing energy demand and their environmental impacts for BIPV adaptation. Understanding the critical impact regarding the materials and devices established portfolio for PSC integration BIPV are also discussed. In addition to highlighting the apparent advantages of using PSCs in terms of their demand, perspective and the limitations, challenges, new strategies of modification and relative scopes are also addressed in this review.
Collapse
|
6
|
Yao M, Li T, Long Y, Shen P, Wang G, Li C, Liu J, Guo W, Wang Y, Shen L, Zhan X. Color and transparency-switchable semitransparent polymer solar cells towards smart windows. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2020; 65:217-224. [PMID: 36659175 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2019.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Semitransparent polymer solar cells (ST-PSCs) have attracted worldwide attention owing to unique superiority in multiple utilization of incident light. However, the color of ST-PSCs is relatively uniform after fabrication, cannot be dynamically tuned in terms of application requirement. Herein, we demonstrate a high-efficiency ST-PSCs as a smart window, which can be reversibly switched on and off by a gasochromic tungsten trioxide/platinum (WO3/Pt) back reflector layer. The ST-PSCs can be switchable between colored and bleached states with fast response speed of sub-second during hydrogen exposure. Meanwhile, the color and transparency-switching enable light trapping enhancement in long wavelength range, which can systematically improve power conversion efficiency (PCE). As a result, the ST-PSCs contribute a PCE of 10.2% and 9.1% as well as corresponding average visible transmission (AVT) of 25.4% and 33.8% at colored state and bleached state, respectively, which can meet the visual aesthetics requirement well in building integrated photovoltaics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example for ST-PSCs that achieve both color-switching and light trapping. Furthermore, the smart windows facing to automobile sunroof are proposed to prove a practical application towards commercialization. We believe that smart windows with gasochromic functions can promise potential opportunities and directions for the future development of ST-PSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengnan Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Tengfei Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yongbing Long
- School of Electronic Engineering, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ping Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Guoxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Chenglong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Junshi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Wenbin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Yufei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Liang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Eensalu JS, Katerski A, Kärber E, Weinhardt L, Blum M, Heske C, Yang W, Oja Acik I, Krunks M. Semitransparent Sb 2S 3 thin film solar cells by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis for use in solar windows. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 10:2396-2409. [PMID: 31886116 PMCID: PMC6902894 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.10.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The integration of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy in zero-energy buildings requires durable and efficient solar windows composed of lightweight and semitransparent thin film solar cells. Inorganic materials with a high optical absorption coefficient, such as Sb2S3 (>105 cm-1 at 450 nm), offer semitransparency, appreciable efficiency, and long-term durability at low cost. Oxide-free throughout the Sb2S3 layer thickness, as confirmed by combined studies of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and synchrotron soft X-ray emission spectroscopy, semitransparent Sb2S3 thin films can be rapidly grown in air by the area-scalable ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method. Integrated into a ITO/TiO2/Sb2S3/P3HT/Au solar cell, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.5% at air mass 1.5 global (AM1.5G) is achieved, which is a record among spray-deposited Sb2S3 solar cells. An average visible transparency (AVT) of 26% of the back-contact-less ITO/TiO2/Sb2S3 solar cell stack in the wavelength range of 380-740 nm is attained by tuning the Sb2S3 absorber thickness to 100 nm. In scale-up from mm2 to cm2 areas, the Sb2S3 hybrid solar cells show a decrease in efficiency of only 3.2% for an 88 mm2 Sb2S3 solar cell, which retains 70% relative efficiency after one year of non-encapsulated storage. A cell with a PCE of 3.9% at 1 sun shows a PCE of 7.4% at 0.1 sun, attesting to the applicability of these solar cells for light harvesting under cloud cover.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jako S Eensalu
- Department of Materials and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086, Estonia
| | - Atanas Katerski
- Department of Materials and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086, Estonia
| | - Erki Kärber
- Department of Materials and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086, Estonia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4003, USA
| | - Lothar Weinhardt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4003, USA
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Monika Blum
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California, 94720, USA
| | - Clemens Heske
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4003, USA
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Wanli Yang
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California, 94720, USA
| | - Ilona Oja Acik
- Department of Materials and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086, Estonia
| | - Malle Krunks
- Department of Materials and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086, Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li Y, Ji C, Qu Y, Huang X, Hou S, Li CZ, Liao LS, Guo LJ, Forrest SR. Enhanced Light Utilization in Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics Using an Optical Outcoupling Architecture. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1903173. [PMID: 31420924 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201903173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Building-integrated photovoltaics employing transparent photovoltaic cells on window panes provide an opportunity to convert solar energy to electricity rather than generating waste heat. Semitransparent organic photovoltaic cells (ST-OPVs) that utilize a nonfullerene acceptor-based near-infrared (NIR) absorbing ternary cell combined with a thin, semitransparent, high conductivity Cu-Ag alloy electrode are demonstrated. A combination of optical outcoupling and antireflection coatings leads to enhanced visible transmission, while reflecting the NIR back into the cell where it is absorbed. This combination of coatings results in doubling of the light utilization efficiency (LUE), which is equal to the product of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the average photopic transparency, compared with a conventional semitransparent cell lacking these coatings. A maximum LUE = 3.56 ± 0.11% is achieved for an ST-OPV with a PCE = 8.0 ± 0.2% at 1 sun, reference AM1.5G spectrum. Moreover, neutral colored ST-OPVs are also demonstrated, with LUE = 2.56 ± 0.2%, along with Commission Internationale d'Eclairage chromaticity coordinates of CIE = (0.337, 0.349) and a color rendering index of CRI = 87.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongxi Li
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Chengang Ji
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yue Qu
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Xinjing Huang
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Shaocong Hou
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Chang-Zhi Li
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
| | - Liang-Sheng Liao
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, P. R. China
| | - L Jay Guo
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Stephen R Forrest
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Efficient clean energy harvesting, conversion, and storage technologies are of immense importance for the sustainable development of human society. To this end, scientists have made significant advances in recent years regarding new materials and devices for improving the energy conversion efficiency for photovoltaics, thermoelectric generation, photoelectrochemical/electrolytic hydrogen generation, and rechargeable metal ion batteries. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for research scientists and engineers in these areas to demonstrate and exchange their latest research findings. This thematic topic undoubtedly represents an extremely important technological direction, covering materials processing, characterization, simulation, and performance evaluation of thin films used in energy harvesting, conversion, and storage.
Collapse
|
10
|
Recent Developments in Solar Energy-Harvesting Technologies for Building Integration and Distributed Energy Generation. ENERGIES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/en12061080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We present a review of the current state of the field for a rapidly evolving group of technologies related to solar energy harvesting in built environments. In particular, we focus on recent achievements in enabling the widespread distributed generation of electric energy assisted by energy capture in semi-transparent or even optically clear glazing systems and building wall areas. Whilst concentrating on recent cutting-edge results achieved in the integration of traditional photovoltaic device types into novel concentrator-type windows and glazings, we compare the main performance characteristics reported with these using more conventional (opaque or semi-transparent) solar cell technologies. A critical overview of the current status and future application potential of multiple existing and emergent energy harvesting technologies for building integration is provided.
Collapse
|
11
|
Marongiu D, Lai S, Sarritzu V, Pinna E, Mula G, Mercuri ML, Saba M, Quochi F, Mura A, Bongiovanni G. Bifacial Diffuse Absorptance of Semitransparent Microstructured Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:10021-10027. [PMID: 30768241 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b22285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
An optical radiometry technique enabling simultaneous transmittance and reflectance measurements from both sides of a device was used to investigate bifacial diffuse absorptance of neutral-colored semitransparent perovskite solar cells based on a thin film of microsized perovskite islands. In such microstructured solar cells, diffuse irradiance was more effectively absorbed than direct irradiance at near-normal incidence, in contrast to reference solar cells comprising a continuous perovskite thin film. Experimental findings were discussed in ray-optic approximation in relation to the surface texture of the active layer, highlighting the role of light trapping. This absorptance spectroscopy technique is envisaged to find wide applicability to bifacial solar cells for building-integrated photovoltaics and other bifacial light-harvesting systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Quochi
- INSTM , Cagliari Unit , Via Giuseppe Giusti, 9 , I-50121 Firenze , Italy
| | - Andrea Mura
- INSTM , Cagliari Unit , Via Giuseppe Giusti, 9 , I-50121 Firenze , Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|