Hamza Bousdra , Noureddine Ben Afkir , Jaafar Meziane , Mimoun Zazoui
{"title":"Optimizing the efficiency of InxGa1-xN/GaN quantum well solar cells using piezo-phototronic effects: The impact of external strain","authors":"Hamza Bousdra , Noureddine Ben Afkir , Jaafar Meziane , Mimoun Zazoui","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.113425","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work explores the efficiency enhancement of <span><math><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>I</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow><mi>x</mi></msub><msub><mrow><mi>G</mi><mi>a</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>x</mi></mrow></msub><mi>N</mi><mo>/</mo><mi>G</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>N</mi></mrow></math></span> multiple quantum well (MQW) solar cells through the application of piezo-phototronic effect, which modifies piezoelectric polarization charges at interfaces to raise efficiency. We investigated the impact of external strain on the performance of these solar cells to address the problem of lattice mismatch and its effect on energy conversion efficiency. Using a numerical computational model, our approach involves examining the effects of external strain on the electrical, optical, and band structure properties of the cells. The results showed a notable improvement in energy conversion efficiency with increases of 29.35 % and 21.28 %, respectively, for indium compositions of 0.2 and 0.35. Additionally, the photocurrent density increased from 1.61 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> to 2.43 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> and from 4.44 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> to 5.83 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> for both compositions. Band energy realignment calculations clarify that this enhancement is due to the correction of piezoelectric charges caused by lattice mismatch strain. Our findings show that the piezo-phototronic effect can be used to optimize <span><math><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>I</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow><mi>x</mi></msub><msub><mrow><mi>G</mi><mi>a</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>x</mi></mrow></msub><mi>N</mi><mo>/</mo><mi>G</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>N</mi></mrow></math></span> MQW solar cells, provide a viable means of increasing the use of solar energy and developing solar technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 113425"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Solar Energy","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038092X25001884","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENERGY & FUELS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This work explores the efficiency enhancement of multiple quantum well (MQW) solar cells through the application of piezo-phototronic effect, which modifies piezoelectric polarization charges at interfaces to raise efficiency. We investigated the impact of external strain on the performance of these solar cells to address the problem of lattice mismatch and its effect on energy conversion efficiency. Using a numerical computational model, our approach involves examining the effects of external strain on the electrical, optical, and band structure properties of the cells. The results showed a notable improvement in energy conversion efficiency with increases of 29.35 % and 21.28 %, respectively, for indium compositions of 0.2 and 0.35. Additionally, the photocurrent density increased from 1.61 mA/cm2 to 2.43 mA/cm2 and from 4.44 mA/cm2 to 5.83 mA/cm2 for both compositions. Band energy realignment calculations clarify that this enhancement is due to the correction of piezoelectric charges caused by lattice mismatch strain. Our findings show that the piezo-phototronic effect can be used to optimize MQW solar cells, provide a viable means of increasing the use of solar energy and developing solar technology.
期刊介绍:
Solar Energy welcomes manuscripts presenting information not previously published in journals on any aspect of solar energy research, development, application, measurement or policy. The term "solar energy" in this context includes the indirect uses such as wind energy and biomass