Search results for "hybrid solar cell"
showing 10 items of 22 documents
Polymer solar cells with novel fullerene-based acceptor
2004
Abstract Alternative acceptor materials are possible candidates to improve the optical absorption and/or the open circuit voltage of polymer–fullerene solar cells. We studied a novel fullerene-type acceptor, DPM-12, for application in polymer–fullerene bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices. Though DPM-12 has the identical redox potentials as methanofullerene PCBM, surprisingly high open circuit voltages in the range V OC =0.95 V were measured for OC 1 C 10 -PPV:DPM-12-based samples. The potential for photovoltaic application was studied by means of photovoltaic characterization of solar cells including current–voltage measurements and external quantum yield spectroscopy. Further studies …
Photovoltaic module characteristics from CIGS solar cell modelling
2013
We describe our approach to the task of modelling, both at single cell structure and complete module levels, during the solar cell technology development process. This can give very helpful indications, in terms of global photovoltaic module characteristics, for the assessment of intermediate research results and planning of further experiments. We make reference specifically to the fabrication of thin film CIGS solar cells by means of single-step electrodeposition, a technique which appears fairly easy and low-cost but, at the same time, can lead to quite different structural and electrical properties.
Review on up/down conversion materials for solar cell application
2012
The present paper reviews the methods of photon up- and down conversion strategies for improving the efficiency of solar cells. Photons with a lower energy than the band gap will be lost in a normal solar cell. The principle of the up conversion technique is that two or more photons are converted into a photon with energy higher than the band gap energy. High energy photons will lose the energy above the band gap energy limit. Down conversion is a process where a high energy photon is converted into several lower energy photons with energies above the band gap. A description is given of the most common methods and materials for these conversions resulting in higher solar cell efficiencies.
Efficient vacuum deposited p-i-n and n-i-p perovskite solar cells employing doped charge transport layers
2016
Methylammonium lead halide perovskites have emerged as high performance photovoltaic materials. Most of these solar cells are prepared via solution-processing and record efficiencies (>20%) have been obtained employing perovskites with mixed halides and organic cations on (mesoscopic) metal oxides. Here, we demonstrate fully vacuum deposited planar perovskite solar cells by depositing methylammonium lead iodide in between intrinsic and doped organic charge transport molecules. Two configurations, one inverted with respect to the other, p-i-n and n-i-p, are prepared and optimized leading to planar solar cells without hysteresis and very high efficiencies, 16.5% and 20%, respectively. It is t…
Nanochemistry Aspects of Titania in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
2009
We analyze the main nanochemistry factors affecting photovoltaic performance in TiO2 employed as wide bandgap semiconductor in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). What is the best morphology of the oxide? Which processes yield the required structures? Finally, putting the discussion in the context of the rapid evolution of photovoltaic technologies, we argue that new titania nanostructures will form the basic component of second-generation solar modules based on dye solar cells.
Improving Perovskite Solar Cells: Insights From a Validated Device Model
2017
To improve the efficiency of existing perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a detailed understanding of the underlying device physics during their operation is essential. Here, a device model has been developed and validated that describes the operation of PSCs and quantitatively explains the role of contacts, the electron and hole transport layers, charge generation, drift and diffusion of charge carriers and recombination. The simulation to the experimental data of vacuum-deposited CH3NH3PbI3 solar cells over multiple thicknesses has been fit and the device behavior under different operating conditions has been studied to delineate the influence of the external bias, charge-carrier mobilities, e…
Chalcopyrite Semiconductors for Quantum Well Solar Cells
2011
We explore here the possibilities of using highly absorbing chalcopyrite semiconductors of the type Cu(In,Ga)Se2 in a quantum well solar cell structure. Thin alternating layers of 50 nm CuInSe2 and CuGaSe2 were grown epitaxially on a GaAs(100) substrate employing metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. The optical properties of a resulting structure of three layers were investigated by photoluminescence and photoreflectance, indicating charge carrier confinement ∗To whom correspondence should be addressed †Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin ‡Universidad Politecnica de Madrid ¶University of Illinois §University of Jyvaskyla ‖Current address: Universitat des Saarlandes, Uni Campus, Gebaude A5.1, 66123 Saarbr…
Perovskite solar cells employing organic charge-transport layers
2013
Thin-film photovoltaics play an important role in the quest for clean renewable energy. Recently, methylammonium lead halide perovskites were identified as promising absorbers for solar cells(1). In the three years since, the performance of perovskite-based solar cells has improved rapidly to reach efficiencies as high as 15%(1-10). To date, all high-efficiency perovskite solar cells reported make use of a (mesoscopic) metal oxide, such as Al2O3, TiO2, or ZrO2, which requires a high-temperature sintering process. Here, we show that methylammonium lead iodide perovskite layers, when sandwiched between two thin organic charge-transporting layers, also lead to solar cells with high power-conve…
Perovskite solar cells prepared by flash evaporation
2015
A simple vacuum deposition method for the preparation of high quality hybrid organic-inorganic methylammonium lead iodide perovskite thin films is reported. When sandwiched in between organic charge transporting layers, such films lead to solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 12.2%.
Hierarchically Structured Titania Films Prepared by Polymer/Colloidal Templating
2010
Hierarchically structured titania films for application in hybrid solar cells are prepared by combining microsphere templating and sol-gel chemistry with an amphiphilic diblock copolymer as a structure-directing agent. The films have a functional structure on three size scales: (1) on the micrometer scale a holelike structure for reduction of light reflection, (2) on an intermediate scale macropores for surface roughening and improved infiltration of a hole transport material, and (3) on a nanometer scale a mesoporous structure for charge generation. Poly(dimethyl siloxane)-block-methyl methacrylate poly(ethylene oxide) (PDMS-b-MA(PEO)) is used as a structure-directing agent for the prepara…