Hybrid Nanocomposite Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications: A Review

Ultrafast Infrared Laser Crystallization of Amorphous Si/Ge Multilayer Structures

Silicon-germanium multilayer structures consisting of alternating Si and Ge amorphous nanolayers were annealed by ultrashort laser pulses at near-infrared (1030 nm) and mid-infrared (1500 nm) wavelengths. In this paper, we investigate the effects of the type of substrate (Si or glass), and the number of laser pulses (single-shot and multi-shot regimes) on the crystallization of the layers. Based on structural Raman spectroscopy analysis, several annealing regimes were revealed depending on laser fluence, including partial or complete crystallization of the components and formation of solid Si-Ge alloys. Conditions for selective crystallization of germanium when Si remains amorphous and there is no intermixing between the Si and Ge layers were found. Femtosecond mid-IR laser annealing appeared to be particularly favorable for such selective crystallization. Similar crystallization regimes were observed for both single-shot and multi-shot conditions, although at lower fluences and with a lower selectivity in the latter case. A theoretical analysis was carried out based on the laser energy absorption mechanisms, thermal stresses, and non-thermal effects.

Macrocyclic Compounds: Metal Oxide Particles Nanocomposite Thin Films Deposited by MAPLE

Nanocomposite films based on macrocyclic compounds (zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl) 21H,23H-porphyrin (TPyP)) and metal oxide nanoparticles (ZnO or CuO) were deposited by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). 1,4-dioxane was used as a solvent in the preparation of MAPLE targets that favor the deposition of films with a low roughness, which is a key feature for their integration in structures for optoelectronic applications. The influence of the addition of ZnO nanoparticles (~20 nm in size) or CuO nanoparticles (~5 nm in size) in the ZnPc:TPyP mixture and the impact of the added metal oxide amount on the properties of the obtained composite films were evaluated in comparison to a reference layer based only on an organic blend. Thus, in the case of nanocomposite films, the vibrational fingerprints of both organic compounds were identified in the infrared spectra, their specific strong absorption bands were observed in the UV-Vis spectra, and a quenching of the TPyP emission band was visible in the photoluminescence spectra. The morphological analysis evidenced agglomerated particles on the composite film surface, but their presence has no significant impact on the roughness of the MAPLE deposited layers. The current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics of the structures based on the nanocomposite films deposited by MAPLE revealed the critical role played by the layer composition and component ratio, an improvement in the electrical parameters values being achieved only for the films with a certain type and optimum amount of metal oxide nanoparticles.

The Synergy of Lead Chalcogenide Nanocrystals in Polymeric Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

Photoactive polymer and quantum dots (QDs)/nanocrystals (NCs)-based bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells have the combined positivity of organic semiconductors and inorganic components, which can enable a high carrier mobility and absorption coefficient. Additionally, the NCs also provide the opportunity to tune the band gap to obtain enhanced absorption in a broad solar spectrum. Among the semiconductors, lead chalcogenide NCs are of particular interest due to their good photosensitivity in the near-infrared (NIR) region of the solar spectrum. These NCs have large exciton Bohr radii (18, 46, and 150 nm for PbS, PbSe, and PbTe, respectively) and tunable sizes depending on the optical bandgaps between 0.3 and 1.5 eV. Independently, lead chalcogenide NCs have been studied extensively for different applications; however, uses in polymer-NC-based bulk heterojunction solar cells are limited. This Review has been structured on the lead chalcogenide NCs incorporated in polymer composite-based bulk heterojunction solar cells covering the material, properties, and solar cell performance to find the issues and explore future opportunities.

Editorial for Special Issue: "Thin Films Based on Nanocomposites"

Nanocomposites gained great attention from both fundamental scientific research and technological application perspectives emerging as a fascinating class of advanced functional materials, that can find applications in various areas such as electronics, energy, environmental protection, healthcare, etc [...].

The donor-acceptor dyad based on high substituted fullero[70]pyrrolidine-coordinated manganese (III) phthalocyanine for photoinduced electron transfer

Donor-acceptor dyads based on manganese porphyrins/phthalocyanines and fullerene derivatives with N-basicity centers have proved as promising photoinduced electron-transfer systems for photovoltaic devices, biologically active compounds, and molecular magnetic materials. The macroheterocyclic chromophore characterized by rich UV-visible-near IR absorption is the basis for the applications above. The problem of the synthesis and the characterization of new effective dyads was solved in this work on the example of the self-organizing system consisting of (octakis-3,5-di-tert-butylphenoxy)phthalocyaninato)manganese(III) acetate, (AcO)MnPc(3,5-di-^tBuPhO)₈, 2',5-di(pyridin-2'-yl)-3,4-fullero[70]pyrrolidine, Py₂C₇₀, and toluene. The phthalocyanine-fullerene dyads in the molecular and cationic form (respectively (AcO)(Py₂C₇₀)MnPc(3,5-di-^tBuPhO)₈ and [(Py₂C₇₀)MnPc(3,5-di-^tBuPhO)₈]⁺(AcO)^-) were observed and described using the chemical kinetics/thermodynamics, UV-vis, IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry methods. The 1: 1 stoichiometry of both dyads was confirmed; the equilibrium and rate constant value, K= (4.86 ± 0.56) × 10⁴ L mol^-1 and k = (4.455 ± 3.37) × 10^-5 s^-1 was observed for the formation of molecular and cationic dyad, respectively. The study of (AcO)MnPc(3,5-di-^tBuPhO)₈ and [(Py₂C₇₀)MnPc(3,5-di-^tBuPhO)₈]⁺AcO^- femtosecond transient absorption spectra points to the photoinduced electron transfer in the dyad, for which the lifetimes and the rate constants of charge separation (τ_CS, k_CS) and charge recombination (τ_CR, k_CR) were defined. The analysis of the relationship of the dyad physicochemical parameters with the molecular structure is represented using previously published data.

Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Boosting the Performance of Organic Solar Cells

The thin-film organic solar cells (OSCs) are currently one of the most promising photovoltaic technologies to effectively harvest the solar energy due to their attractive features of mechanical flexibility, light weight, low-cost manufacturing, and solution-processed large-scale fabrication, etc. However, the relative insufficient light absorption, short exciton diffusion distance, and low carrier mobility of the OSCs determine the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the devices are relatively lower than their inorganic photovoltaic counterparts. To conquer the challenges, the two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, which have excellent photoelectric properties, tunable energy band structure, and solvent compatibility etc., exhibit the great potential to enhance the performance of the OSCs. In this review, we summarize the most recent successful applications of the 2D materials, including graphene, black phosphorus, transition metal dichalcogenides, and g-C3N4, etc., adapted in the charge transporting layer, the active layer, and the electrode of the OSCs, respectively, for boosting the PCE and stability of the devices. The strengths and weaknesses of the 2D materials in the application of OSCs are also reviewed in details. Additionally, the challenges, commercialization potentials, and prospects for the further development of 2D materials-based OSCs are outlined in the end.