Solar RRL最新文献

The mixed-metal quaternary chalcohalides of group IV and V elements are a promising class of low-toxicity perovskite-inspired materials with tunable bandgaps and desirable defect tolerance. Sn₂SbS₂I₃ is known for its broadband absorption, low exciton binding energy, ambient stability, and solution processability in thin films. However, its use in optoelectronic devices has so far been only limited to solar cells. In this work, the first self-powered photodetectors based on Sn₂SbS₂I₃ thin films, sandwiched in an n–i–p device configuration are reported. The insertion of an interlayer at the hole-transport layer/gold top-electrode interface reduces the dark current and improves the device performance. The high external quantum efficiency of the devices in the range of 350−900 nm hints to a broadband spectral photoresponsivity. The devices indeed exhibit promising photodetection properties, namely a photoresponsivity of 0.33 A W⁻¹, a specific detectivity of 1.55 × 10¹² Jones, and photoresponse/decay times of 0.52 and 0.45 s at zero bias voltage. These results, combined with the excellent operational stability of the photodetectors, encourage the exploration of a wide range of practical light-sensing applications for quaternary chalcohalides and stimulate device and material engineering to further enhance photodetection across the UV-Visible-NIR spectrum.

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has reached an impressive value of 26.1%. While several initiatives such as structural modification and fabrication techniques helped steadily increase the PCE and stability of PSCs in recent years, the incorporation of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in PSCs stands out among other innovations and has emerged as a promising path forward to make this technology the front-runner for realizing next-generation low-cost photovoltaic technologies. Owing to their unique physiochemical properties and extraordinary advantages such as large specific surface area and tunable pore structures, incorporating them as/in different functional layers of PSCs endows the devices with extraordinary optoelectronic properties. This article reviews the latest research practices adapted in integrating MOFs and derivative materials into the constituent blocks of PSCs such as photoactive perovskite absorber, electron-transport layer, hole-transport layer, and interfacial layer. Notably, a special emphasis is placed on the aspect of stability improvement in PSCs by incorporating MOFs and derivative materials. Also, the potential of MOFs as lead absorbents in PSCs is highlighted. Finally, an outlook on the critical challenges faced and future perspectives for employing MOFs in PSCs in light of the commercialization of PSCs is provided.

Ambipolar transport characteristics of metal halide perovskites (MHPs) enable both hole and electron to be transported simultaneously in perovskite solar cells (PSCs); however, unbalanced charge transport is a fundamental limitation in boosting power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs. Compared to the PSCs with either n–i–p or p–i–n device structures, bulk heterojunction (BHJ) PSCs, inspired by organic photovoltaics, are recognized as superior for balancing charge transport and maximizing interface interactions. This study reports high-performance BHJ PSCs, where the BHJ composites are composted with the n-type MHPs mixed with the p-type conjugated polyfluorenes. In the systematic studies, it is indicated that a small amount of conjugated polyfluorenes component can boost the crystallinity and grain size of the MHP thin film. Moreover, BHJ composite thin films possess boosted charge carrier mobility and a tendency of balanced charge transport and suppress both radiative and non-radiative charge carrier recombinations. Most importantly, an efficient photoinduced charge transport within the BHJ composite thin film boosts photocurrent. As a result, the PSCs based on the n-type MHPs:p-type conjugated polyfluorenes BHJ composite thin film exhibit 23.46% of PCE and boost stability. The results demonstrate a facial method to approach high-performance PSCs.

Defects both in bulk and at the interfaces serve as charge trapping sites for nonradiative recombination and as ion migration pathways, resulting in degradation of perovskite solar cell efficiency and stability. In this work, a strategy for simultaneous passivation of both bulk and interfacial defects is reported. For bulk passivation polystyrene (PS) is used as an additive in the perovskite precursor which reduces the structural defects by forming larger defect-free grains. While the F-PEAI cation is used to passivate the interfacial defects, present at both perovskite HTL/ETL interfaces. Furthermore, by conducting control measurements with just bulk modification (PS), just interface modification (F-PEAI), and a combination of both, the role of individual defect passivation strategies is decoupled. As a result of simultaneous bulk as well as interfacial passivation, the modified perovskite solar cell shows the highest efficiency of 22.32% with a high V_oc of 1.14 V and fill factor of 80%. Moreover, the cells have excellent stability retaining 92% and 99% of their initial efficiency after 1008 h and 560 h under ISOS- D1 and D2 storage conditions. These results highlight the importance of simultaneous bulk and interfacial passivation for improving solar cell efficiency and stability.

Initially, CoNiS_x is synthesized on the graphdiyne (GDY) surface through a precipitation method, followed by the straightforward physical stirring approach to attach CoNiS_x/GDY to the maple leaf CdS. This synthesis method significantly mitigates the accumulation of CoNiS_x/GDY and concurrently augments the count of sites that are active for generating hydrogen. This three-phase composite demonstrates exceptional performance in the area of photocatalytic hydrogen production, achieving a hydrogen evolution rate of 15.37 mmol·h⁻¹ g⁻¹. The employment of various characterization methodologies and density functional theory calculations have demonstrated the formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction forms between GDY and CdS. This discovery indicates that the combination of GDY and CdS markedly improves the photogenerated carrier separation capability of the composite catalyst. The cocatalyst CoNiS_x loaded on GDY effectively accelerates the electron transfer from the conduction band of GDY, thereby reducing the photogenerated carrier complexation of GDY. This phenomenon results in an increased quantity of photogenerated electron holes engaged in the redox reaction, ultimately achieving exceptional photocatalytic performance.

Satellite-based (SAT) methods are widely used to forecast surface solar irradiance up to several hours ahead. Herein, a cloud index-based version of the Heliosat method is applied to infer irradiance from Meteosat Second Generation images. The cloud index (CI) is derived from images in the visible range and quantifies the impact of clouds on surface solar irradiance. Conventional SAT methods utilize cloud motion vectors (CMVs) from consecutive CI images to predict future cloud conditions and subsequently retrieve irradiance. In this study, HelioNet is introduced—a convolutional neural network (CNN) with UNet architecture designed to predict future CI situations from sequences of preceding CI images. Forecasts of two HelioNet configurations are benchmarked against CMV and persistence over a full year (2023), with lead times (LT) up to 4 h. HelioNet_15 min recursively generates forecasts at 15 min resolution. HelioNet_hybrid begins with forecasts at 15 min resolution for $��\text{LT}�\le �45�\text{\hspace{0.17em}min}�$, then uses a 45 min resolved model to forecast all remaining LT steps. HelioNet_15 min achieves root mean square error (RMSE) improvements of >15% over the CMV model within the first hour on image level. HelioNet_hybrid shows superior performance for all LT across all metrics considered, with an average RMSE improvement of >11% on image and 8% at irradiance level.

Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

In article number 2400518, Eun Duck Park, Jong Hyeok Park, Oh Shim Joo, and co-workers introduce a CuInS₂ photoelectrode synthesized by a scalable wet chemical spin-coating technique. Ag doping greatly spurred the grain growth of CuInS₂, resulting in high photoelectrochemical activity. Bias-free water splitting was demonstrated in a photovoltaic–photoelectrochemical cell, showing the potential of this approach for efficient hydrogen production.

Indoor organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells offer a compelling solution for powering diverse electronic devices integrated into the Internet of Things (IoT) network. They are prized for their robust power conversion efficiency (PCE), mechanical resilience, and ultra-thin nature. The recent surge in inverted-structure OPVs reflects their enhanced stability over conventional designs. Despite the advantage, their adaptation for indoor light utilization remains underexplored. Optimal selection of an electron transport layer (ETL) with precise energy band alignment is critical in this system. Herein, an inverted-structured OPV is fabricated utilizing PBDB-T as the wide bandgap donor, with a focus on enhancing its PCE under 1000 lx LED illumination through the doping of the zinc oxide- (ZnO-) based ETL with indium (In). The results indicate that the device utilizing undoped ZnO as the ETL achieves a peak PCE of 9.42% under these specified conditions. Conversely, the OPV utilizing In-doped ZnO as the ETL achieves a significantly higher PCE of 29.78% with 5 at% In, indicates the usefulness of ETL doping by In. This may be caused by the tuning of energy band alignment, improvement in electron mobility, and reduction in surface roughness of ZnO by In doping.

Metal–halide perovskites have gained extreme interest in the photovoltaic field with formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI₃) currently being one of the best-performing materials for single-junction solar cells. Despite the outstanding record efficiencies, there are still several major issues hindering the large-scale fabrication of perovskite solar cells. The vulnerability to environmental agents along with the need of controlled atmosphere and crystallization aids for the perovskite film deposition represents the major roadblocks. This is particularly true for FAPbI₃ for which the thermodynamically stable phase at room temperature is photovoltaically inactive δ-phase. To address those challenges, herein, a camphorsulfonic-salified chitosan is specifically designed with the aid of DTF calculations to strongly interact with the perovskite and, as a result, improve the morphology and optoelectronic quality of the FAPbI₃. Thanks to the numerous interactions and then the modulation of the solution viscosity, FAPbI₃ devices are fabricated by gravure printing deposition without either antisolvent bath or inclusion of methylammonium chloride (MACl) as additive. The gravure-printed devices with the chitosan feature an enhanced efficiency and stability in air, retaining 80% of the original efficiency after 1200 h in ambient air without any encapsulation.

Double-sided textured silicon solar cells with micrometer-sized pyramid structure are used as bottom cells in monolithic tandem structures to decrease reflection losses. As top cell material, frequently perovskites are used. In this work, various additives are investigated to enhance the perovskite absorber quality, as a top cell fabricated using the hybrid route. In the context of the hybrid route, it is found that urea or methylammonium chloride (MACl) can effectively increase the grain size and improve the absorber quality, while formamidinium chloride (FACl) cannot. With urea, the crystallization can be tuned without leaving any voids in the film (unlike MACl). However, when annealed at a high annealing temperature, the excessive crystal growth with urea causes non-conformal coating and high defect density. By adjusting the annealing conditions and additive concentration, the crystal growth of the perovskite top cell on the micrometer-sized silicon pyramids can be fine-tuned, ensuring that the perovskite layer conformally coated the pyramids. The use of additives not only improves crystallization but also enhances the conversion of the inorganics, particularly at the hole transport layer (HTL) interface. Moreover, this work contributes to a better understanding of perovskite crystallization dynamics and how to control it, especially on textured substrates.