Solar RRL最新文献

Interfacial recombination is a key loss pathway that limits the open-circuit voltage (V_OC) in Sb₂Se₃ solar cells. Conventional approaches aim to suppress interface defects. However our simulations reveal that presence of shallow acceptor-like traps at the junction with high-work-function n-type metal oxide-based hole-selective layer (n-HSL) can instead enable beneficial trap-assisted recombination. This mechanism facilitates efficient hole extraction, leading to marked improvements in V_OC and fill factor. Using SCAPS-1D, we numerically optimize Sb₂Se₃ solar cells incorporating wide-bandgap oxides such as WO_x, V₂O_x, or MoO_x, and show that performance critically depends on the interplay between interfacial defect energetics and the electron affinity (χ_n) of the n-HSL. Lower χ_n values favor trap-mediated recombination through shallow acceptor states, enhancing V_OC, whereas higher χ_n values (comparable to the ionization potential of Sb₂Se₃) render the interface defect tolerant. In contrast, donor-like defects strongly suppress V_OC. These results challenge the conventional view of interface defects as purely detrimental and establish a new design principle: n-HSL-based defect-enabled recombination junction can be strategically engineered to overcome the V_OC deficit in Sb₂Se₃ and related chalcogenide photovoltaics.

Optical performance of perovskite-based solar cells can be enhanced by utilizing fully textured interfaces. However, solution processing of perovskite films on textured surfaces is a nonstraightforward and challenging process, particularly if optically most efficient micrometer-sized textures are used. In this work, we present fully textured solution-processed perovskite solar cells on periodic inverted micropyramids. The textures have a period of 4 μm with varying pyramid depths and are fabricated by wet-chemical etching of silicon with subsequent replication on glass substrates using nanoimprint lithography. Inverted pyramids are shown to enable low reflectance similar to random micropyramids on silicon. Additionally, they are able to confine perovskite precursor solution within its structure during spin coating, resulting in a conformal, fully textured perovskite film. We demonstrate that the resulting fully textured single-junction perovskite solar cells feature a reduced reflection loss of up to 1.2 mA/cm² in short-circuit current density. Moreover, we observe that the amount of lead iodide in the perovskite precursor solution crucially impacts growth and nonradiative recombination losses of the fully textured perovskite solar cells on inverted micropyramids. Finally, we prove the versatility of our approach by also demonstrating conformal coating with slot-die coating, which is a scalable process considered for industrial application.

Perovskite photovoltaics (PVs) have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation solar energy technologies owing to their high-power conversion efficiency and facile processability. However, their real-world deployment is hindered by intrinsic fragility and vulnerability to environmental stressors, particularly under extreme conditions involving moisture, thermal fluctuations, intense illumination, and mechanical strain. This review highlights recent advances in designing resilient PVs, with emphasis on stability mechanisms and engineering strategies under harsh environments. We discuss degradation pathways driven by moisture, heat, light, and stress, followed by progress in interfacial engineering, lattice regulation, compositional tuning, and encapsulation. Emerging approaches such as defect passivation, flexible architectures, and adaptive protective layers are highlighted for their potential to enhance resilience. We also outline how in situ characterization and theoretical modeling provide insights into degradation kinetics and guide stability design. Finally, key challenges and opportunities are proposed for achieving durable, reliable, and scalable perovskite PVs for practical long-term applications.

Organic solar cells (OSCs) have emergedas one of the fastest-growing research directions in the photovoltaic field due to their unique low-cost solution processing characteristics, compatibility with large-area fabrication, and excellent flexible device performance. In recent years, advances in new photovoltaic materials and optimized device fabrication processes have pushed the power conversion efficiency of single-junction OSCs beyond the critical milestone of 20%. Although the efficiency threshold for commercial-scale OSC applications is nearing achievement, its industrialization process still faces the critical challenge of further reducing manufacturing costs. In this article, we summarize the application of halogen-substitution strategy in donor material design. Furthermore, we propose exploring cyano-substitution strategy and simplifying polymer monomer structures, which may open new avenues for developing next-generation low-cost, high-performance donor materials.

Midsummer AB specializes in producing flexible, lightweight, cadmium-free, all-sputtered Cu(In, Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) modules on steel substrates. This study investigates the role of a titanium/tungsten (TiW) barrier layer, placed between the steel substrate and the back contact, in controlling the diffusion of three major impurities—iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni)—which are believed to be detrimental to CIGS devices. For a device with a 64 nm barrier layer, an efficiency of 14% is obtained, limited by a reduced fill factor (FF) and low open-circuit voltage (V_OC). Increasing the thickness of the barrier layer to 128 nm leads to improvements in both V_OC and FF, yielding an efficiency of 16%. This finding is supported by secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements, which show lower impurity levels for thicker barriers. The results indicate that impurity diffusion into the CIGS layer during deposition significantly affects device performance, but this can be mitigated using TiW barrier layers. Glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy is employed to examine the in-depth compositional profile of the CIGS layer. Additionally, a solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D) is used to assess the impact of impurities on performance and compare the results with experimental data.

Despite the remarkable progress in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), challenges related to film quality and scalability continue to hinder their commercial viability. In particular, the widely used two-step fabrication method often suffers from incomplete halide precursor infiltration and poor crystallization, leading to suboptimal device performance. In this work, we develop a practical approach that addresses these limitations by combining a microcrystalline porous PbI₂ scaffold with the spontaneous formation of 1D perovskite structures at the top interface. The microcrystalline porous PbI₂ film is prepared by introducing 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (BMIM)-based ionic liquids with different halide anions (I⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻), which significantly improve halide diffusion and film uniformity. Among them, BMIMCl stands out by promoting the growth of large, well-defined 1D crystallites at the surface of the 3D FA/MA-based perovskite, forming a 3D/1D heterojunction. This structure not only enhances charge extraction and energy level alignment with the transport layers but also improves moisture resistance due to the hydrophobic nature of the 1D overlayer. As a result, the efficiency increases from 21.89% to 24.38%, with improved stability under humid conditions. This study highlights a simple yet effective route to boost both performance and durability in scalable PSC fabrication.

Hybrid two-step fabrication methods combining physical vapor deposition of a precursor layer with a subsequent solution-based step offer distinct advantages for the formation of high-quality perovskite thin films. Notably, this approach avoids toxic solvents and enables conformal coating, making it particularly attractive for integration into silicon-based tandem solar cells. In this work, we fabricate and comprehensively characterize such perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using a suite of dedicated analytical techniques. A small amount of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) within the solution step significantly enhances the quality of the resulting perovskite thin film, leading to improved device performance. The addition of DMSO results in improved conversion of the precursor to the perovskite phase, reduced residual lead iodide, and more efficient charge extraction. Furthermore, perovskite crystallization under a controlled atmosphere with 40% relative humidity leads to a marked increase in charge carrier lifetime, which correlates with higher power conversion efficiency. These findings highlight the potential of hybrid processing routes for scalable, high-performance PSC manufacturing.

Lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal quantum dots (QDs), which offer advantages such as simple solution processing, low-cost fabrication, size-tunable infrared bandgaps, and excellent optoelectronic properties, have emerged as ideal narrow-bandgap semiconductors for infrared photovoltaic applications. Furthermore, its unique Multiexciton generation (MEG) effect and broad spectral absorption capability enhance infrared photon capture, which in turn boosts photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE). This review focuses on research progress for PbS QDs solar cells operating in the 1100–1700 nm short-wave infrared (SWIR) band, corresponding to 1.1–0.7 eV. It summarizes key advancements in material synthesis, surface chemical modifications through ligand exchange and synergistic passivation, and device architecture optimizations like Schottky junctions, heterojunctions, and four-terminal (4-T) and two-terminal (2-T) tandem structures. A particularly significant strategy involves constructing tandem cells with perovskite materials. This approach has a theoretical efficiency limit of 43%. In terms of certified performance, an efficiency of 26.12% has been achieved in a 4-T device, while an efficiency of 17.1% has been reached in a 2-T device. The review prospectively discusses progress in narrower-bandgap QDs and addresses practical challenges such as defect regulation and large-scale synthesis. This provides a valuable theoretical and technical reference for developing next-generation, high-efficiency infrared solar cells.

Tin–lead (Sn–Pb) mixed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained significant attention as top cells for tandem photovoltaic technologies owing to their compositionally tunable bandgaps (1.2–1.4 eV) and superior near-infrared light absorption. Despite these advantages, their practical deployment is hindered by uncontrolled crystallization dynamics and severe defect formation, which accelerate degradation under ambient conditions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental optoelectronic properties and recent advancements in Sn–Pb hybrid perovskites, with a focus on strategies aimed at enhancing their stability. Key approaches discussed include the design of 2D/3D heterostructures, incorporation of redox-active additives, solvent engineering, and interfacial modification of charge transport materials. Finally, we highlight the remaining challenges and outline prospective research directions to advance the long-term stability and commercial viability of Sn–Pb mixed PSCs.

Nanostructured α-hematite (Fe₂O₃) is a widely studied material for photoanode applications, particularly for driving the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under visible light irradiation in photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. Our recent work has shown that Fe₂O₃ suffers from photocorrosion in alkaline and neutral electrolytes, with a noticeable decline in performance after 5 h of operation. This highlights the need for strategies that enhance the stability of Fe₂O₃-based photoanodes. To enhance the stability of Fe₂O₃ nanorods (NR), we employed atomic layer deposition (ALD) to coat the NR with a well-defined, controlled TiO₂ overlayer designed to protect the photoanode from photocorrosion during PEC operation. The influence of overlayer thickness is evaluated regarding the PEC activity, stability, and photocurrent retention in alkaline electrolyte using a PEC scanning flow cell coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (PEC-ICP-MS). This setup can quantify metal dissolution during PEC OER, allowing the characterization of the photo-degradation under realistic illumination conditions. An accelerated stress test (AST) protocol was designed to drive degradation faster and obtain insightful information about the stability of the TiO₂@Fe₂O₃ heterostructures using in situ PEC-ICP-MS. PEC-ICP-MS measurements demonstrate that the TiO₂ coating significantly enhances the photocorrosion resistance of Fe₂O₃ NR in alkaline electrolytes during operation. A TiO₂ thickness of 2.8 nm (50 ALD cycles) offered the most favorable compromise between activity, photocurrent retention, and decrease of Fe dissolution. The proposed methodology combines in situ stability quantification and ASTs as a powerful tool to advance material development and can be extended to other protected photoanodes.