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Bashir R, Bilal MK, Bashir A, Asif SU, Peng Y. ZnO/SrTiO 3, ZnO/WO 3, and ZnO/Zn 2SnO 4 Bilayer as Electron Transport Layers for Lead Sulfide Colloidal Quantum Dots Solar Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2402500. [PMID: 39246184 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202402500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
In order to enhance the overall efficiency of colloidal quantum dots solar cells, it is crucial to suppress the recombination of charge carriers and minimize energy loss at the interfaces between the transparent electrode, electron transport layer (ETL), and colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) light-absorbing material. In the current study, ZnO/SrTiO3 (STO), ZnO/WO3 (TO), and ZnO/Zn2SnO4 (ZTO) bilayers are introduced as an ETL using a spin-coating technique. The ZTO interlayer exhibits a smoother surface with a root-mean-square (RMS) value of ≈ 3.28 nm compared to STO and TO interlayers, which enables it to cover the surface of the ITO/ZnO substrate entirely and helps to prevent direct contact between the CQDs absorber layer and the ITO/ZnO substrate, thereby effectively preventing efficient charge recombination at the interfaces of the ETL/CQDs. Furthermore, the ZTO interlayer possesses superior electron mobility, a higher visible light transmission, and a suitable energy band structure compared to STO and TO. These characteristics are advantageous for extracting charge carriers and facilitating electron transport. The PbS CQDs solar cell based on the ITO/ZnO/ZTO/PbS-FABr/PbS-EDT/NiO/Au device configuration exhibits the highest efficiency of 15.28%, which is significantly superior than the ITO/ZnO/PbS-FABr/PbS-EDT/NiO/Au solar cell device (PCE = 14.38%). This study is anticipated to offer a practical approach to develop ultrathin and compact ETL for highly efficient CQDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Bashir
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Materials and Devices, National Center for International Research on Photoelectric and Energy Materials, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, P. R. China
| | - Muhammad Kashif Bilal
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Materials and Devices, National Center for International Research on Photoelectric and Energy Materials, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, P. R. China
| | - Amna Bashir
- Department of Chemistry, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, 46000, Pakistan
| | - Sana Ullah Asif
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Materials and Devices, National Center for International Research on Photoelectric and Energy Materials, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, P. R. China
| | - Yicheng Peng
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Materials and Devices, National Center for International Research on Photoelectric and Energy Materials, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, P. R. China
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Yang B, Cang J, Li Z, Chen J. Nanocrystals as performance-boosting materials for solar cells. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:1331-1360. [PMID: 38419867 PMCID: PMC10898446 DOI: 10.1039/d3na01063e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Nanocrystals (NCs) have been widely studied owing to their distinctive properties and promising application in new-generation photoelectric devices. In photovoltaic devices, semiconductor NCs can act as efficient light harvesters for high-performance solar cells. Besides light absorption, NCs have shown great significance as functional layers for charge (hole and electron) transport and interface modification to improve the power conversion efficiency and stability of solar cells. NC-based functional layers can boost hole/electron transport ability, adjust energy level alignment between a light absorbing layer and charge transport layer, broaden the absorption range of an active layer, enhance intrinsic stability, and reduce fabrication cost. In this review, recent advances in NCs as a hole transport layer, electron transport layer, and interfacial layer are discussed. Additionally, NC additives to improve the performance of solar cells are demonstrated. Finally, a summary and future prospects of NC-based functional materials in solar cells are presented, addressing their limitations and suggesting potential solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boping Yang
- College of Science, Guizhou Institute of Technology Guiyang 550003 China
| | - Junjie Cang
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology Yancheng 224051 China
| | - Zhiling Li
- College of Science, Guizhou Institute of Technology Guiyang 550003 China
| | - Jian Chen
- College of Artificial Intelligence and Electrical Engineering, Guizhou Institute of Technology Guiyang 550003 China
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Shin CH, Lee HY, Gyan-Barimah C, Yu JH, Yu JS. Magnesium: properties and rich chemistry for new material synthesis and energy applications. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:2145-2192. [PMID: 36799134 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00810f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Magnesium (Mg) has many unique properties suitable for applications in the fields of energy conversion and storage. These fields presently rely on noble metals for efficient performance. However, among other challenges, noble metals have low natural abundance, which undermines their sustainability. Mg has a high negative standard reduction potential and a unique crystal structure, and its low melting point at 650 °C makes it a good candidate to replace or supplement numerous other metals in various energy applications. These attractive features are particularly helpful for improving the properties and limits of materials in energy systems. However, knowledge of Mg and its practical uses is still limited, despite recent studies which have reported Mg's key roles in synthesizing new structures and modifying the chemical properties of materials. At present, information about Mg chemistry has been rather scattered without any organized report. The present review highlights the chemistry of Mg and its uses in energy applications such as electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and secondary batteries, among others. Future perspectives on the development of Mg-based materials are further discussed to identify the challenges that need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheol-Hwan Shin
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ha-Young Lee
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Caleb Gyan-Barimah
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jeong-Hoon Yu
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong-Sung Yu
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
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Li M, Chen S, Zhao X, Xiong K, Wang B, Shah UA, Gao L, Lan X, Zhang J, Hsu HY, Tang J, Song H. Matching Charge Extraction Contact for Infrared PbS Colloidal Quantum Dot Solar Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2105495. [PMID: 34859592 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202105495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Infrared solar cells (IRSCs) can supplement silicon or perovskite SCs to broaden the utilization of the solar spectrum. As an ideal infrared photovoltaic material, PbS colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) with tunable bandgaps can make good use of solar energy, especially the infrared region. However, as the QD size increases, the energy level shrinking and surface facet evolution makes us reconsider the matching charge extraction contacts and the QD passivation strategy. Herein, different to the traditional sol-gel ZnO layer, energy-level aligned ZnO thin film from a magnetron sputtering method is adopted for electron extraction. In addition, a modified hybrid ligand recipe is developed for the facet passivation of large size QDs. As a result, the champion IRSC delivers an open circuit voltage of 0.49 V and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.47% under AM1.5 full-spectrum illumination, and the certified PCE is over 10%. Especially the 1100 nm filtered efficiency achieves 1.23%. The obtained devices also show high storage stability. The present matched electron extraction and QD passivation strategies are expected to highly booster the IR conversion yield and promote the fast development of new conception QD optoelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Li
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
- Wenzhou Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Institute of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Shiwu Chen
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Xinzhao Zhao
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Kao Xiong
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Bo Wang
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Usman Ali Shah
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Liang Gao
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Xinzheng Lan
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Jianbing Zhang
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Hsien-Yi Hsu
- School of Energy and Environment & Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jiang Tang
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Haisheng Song
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
- Wenzhou Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Institute of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P. R. China
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