Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells最新文献_第3页

Advanced engineering of binary eutectic hydrate composite phase change materials with enhanced thermophysical performance for high-efficiency building thermal energy storage

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Pub Date : 2025-04-12 DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113631

Yuanjun Yang , Yanqi Ma , Peng Lian , Li Zhang , Ying Chen , Xinxin Sheng

The rapid increase in energy consumption for building heating necessitates the development of advanced thermal management technologies. The integration of phase change materials (PCMs) into building systems offers an effective strategy to mitigate energy consumption. However, achieving controlled supercooling, phase separation suppression, and efficient energy harvesting remains challenging. In this study, eutectic hydrated salts (EHSs) composed of disodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate (Na₂HPO₄·12H₂O, DHPD) and sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate (Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O, STP) were developed as PCMs, with sodium metasilicate hydrate (Na₂SiO₃·9H₂O, SMN) used as a nucleating agent to reduce supercooling. The modified melamine sponge (MMS) was employed to adsorb the EHS, preventing phase separation, while a corrosion-resistant, high-strength PU light-curing resin encapsulated the EHSs to form DHPD-STP-based composite PCMs (CPCMs), designated as EHSs/MMS@PU. The resulting EHSs PCMs exhibited a phase transition temperature of 26.1 °C, an enthalpy of 134.54 J/g, and a supercooling degree of 2.3 °C. MMS effectively inhibited phase separation, and the PU coating improved leakage prevention, structural integrity, and cycling stability. In the thermoregulation performance experiments, the phase-change incubator exhibited remarkable efficiency by maintaining a thermally comfortable temperature for approximately three times longer than the blank control incubator. These composites demonstrated superior thermal management capabilities, highlighting their potential as effective thermal envelopes for building applications.

建筑供暖能耗的快速增长要求开发先进的热管理技术。将相变材料（PCMs）集成到建筑系统中是降低能耗的有效策略。然而，实现受控过冷、相分离抑制和高效能量收集仍然具有挑战性。本研究开发了由十二水磷酸氢二钠（Na2HPO4-12H2O，DHPD）和五水硫代硫酸钠（Na2S2O3-5H2O，STP）组成的共晶水合盐（EHSs）作为 PCMs，并使用偏硅酸钠水合物（Na2SiO3-9H2O，SMN）作为成核剂来降低过冷度。改性三聚氰胺海绵（MMS）用于吸附 EHS，防止相分离，而耐腐蚀的高强度聚氨酯光固化树脂则将 EHS 包裹起来，形成基于 DHPD-STP 的复合 PCM（CPCM），命名为 EHS/MMS@PU。所得 EHS PCM 的相变温度为 26.1 °C，焓值为 134.54 J/g，过冷度为 2.3 °C。MMS 有效抑制了相分离，聚氨酯涂层提高了防漏性、结构完整性和循环稳定性。在温度调节性能实验中，相变培养箱表现出了显著的效率，其保持温度舒适的时间大约是空白对照培养箱的三倍。这些复合材料表现出了卓越的热管理能力，凸显了其作为建筑应用中有效热围护结构的潜力。

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引用次数: 0

Scalable horizontal-dipping electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cells

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Pub Date : 2025-04-12 DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113633

Dariusz Augustowski , Maciej Michalik , Jakub Wilgocki-Ślęzak , Paweł Kwaśnicki , Jakub Rysz

Up-scaling remains a great opportunity to achieve in the third generation of solar cells. This article describes a novel method that combines electrodeposition with the roll-to-roll technique, which may be useful in the current mass production of dye-sensitized solar cells. The results show that large areas of conductive substrates can easily be covered with catalytically active platinum nanoparticles using a small amount of aqueous solution of the platinum precursor salt sliding over a substrate. The surface coverage is controlled by the applied current density, which directly impacts the catalytic properties of the substrate. Electrodeposition proves to be a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and time-saving alternative compared to commonly used screen-printing methods. Additionally, the electrodeposited nanoparticles exhibit even higher electrocatalytic performance in cyclic voltammetry measurements. Dye-sensitized solar cells utilizing cathodes with platinum nanoparticles prepared with different deposition currents demonstrate efficiency in the range of 4.84–5.45 %, while referential cells with screen-printed electrodes achieve an average efficiency of 5.14 %.

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引用次数: 0

The effect of Na+ concentration on the local structure of NaNO3-KNO3 and thermophysical properties with higher prediction accuracy: A molecular dynamics study

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Pub Date : 2025-04-12 DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113632

Qifan Yang, Lixia Sang, Ji Huang

Molten nitrates have been considered as attractive heat transfer and storage materials in concentrated solar power (CSP). In this paper, thermophysical parameters such as density, specific heat, viscosity and thermal conductivity of binary NaNO₃-KNO₃ with different Na ⁺ concentrations were calculated within the range of 600–800 K. The simulated values of thermophysical properties closely matched the experimental values. Particularly, the reverse non - equilibrium molecular dynamics (RNEMD) approach was employed to determine viscosity and thermal conductivity. The deviation of calculated thermal conductivity for Solar salt from the experimental value is less than 1 % with higher prediction accuracy. The average deviation of the simulated value of the viscosity from the experimental value is only 3.1 % in the temperature range of 500–700 K. The microscopic mechanisms of composition/temperature for macroscopic properties were elucidated from the local structure. An increase in temperature enhances the thermal motion of the ions and the system becomes loose, thereby causing a reduction in the density, viscosity and thermal conductivity of the system. As Na⁺ concentration rises, the bond lengths of N-O and N-N decrease, the structure of NO₃⁻ collapses, the system becomes more compact and the heat transfer distance is reduced, leading to an increase in density and thermal conductivity. Additionally, there is an enhancement of NO₃⁻ intramolecular interactions, which consequently results in an increase in the specific heat capacity. The diffusion activation energy and viscous activation energy are maximum in the system with 64 % Na⁺ concentration, indicating the lower mobility of the system at this composition.

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引用次数: 0

Enhancing composite phase change material thermal performance by tuning phase change materials properties with nanoparticles

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Pub Date : 2025-04-11 DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113615

A. Anagnostopoulos , M. Elena Navarro , Zhu Jiang , Yulong Ding

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) , particularly latent heat TES, is a promising solution for waste heat recovery. However, phase change materials (PCMs), the main TES media in LHTES systems, face challenges such as limited thermal conductivity and large volume changes during phase transitions. Encapsulating PCMs within porous matrices to fabricate Composite Phase Change Materials (CPCMs) can address these issues, though CPCMs are attained through expensive and/or complex processes and/or have relatively low PCM content. This study introduces the use of SiO₂ nanoparticles to enhance CPCMs, enabling the fabrication of CPCMs with high PCM content over 72 % through a simple mix sintering approach. The incorporation of nanoparticles enhances structural integrity and thermal performance. A CPCM, with 72 % NaNO₃ content, achieves structural integrity, surpassing the 60 % PCM limit typically achieved without nanoparticles. The sample showcases only a 14 % decrease in energy storage density compared to pure NaNO₃ with a 28 % increase in thermal conductivity and a much lower coefficient of thermal expansion compared to the PCM. Further research in this area can potentially resolve the current material level issues of latent heat TES.

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引用次数: 0

Device parameter optimization of all-organic electrochromic smart windows: Role of performance enhancer metal-oxides

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Pub Date : 2025-04-10 DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113626

Md Sahid Ahmed , Bhumika Sahu , Love Bansal , Nikita Ahlawat , Deb Kumar Rath , Shivansh Raj Pandey , Subin Kaladi Chondath , Naresh Kumar Kumawat , Rajesh Kumar

Electrochromic devices (ECDs) based smart windows are essential for designing energy-efficient buildings; yet, no single material displays properties that can lead to the improvement in all the device parameters. This study suggests a recipe for optimizing ECD performance through selective doping of various metal oxides. Zinc oxide (ZnO), tungsten trioxide (WO₃), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), and molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃), have been synthesized and used as dopant to improve various aspects of ECD properties of a poly(3-hexylthiophene) (PT) and ethyl viologen (EV) based all-organic ECD. The device doped with highly porous ZnO improves the color contrast (515 nm) with high change in transmittance at NIR region, whereas device doped with WO₃ offers high coloration efficiency of more than 1000 cm²/C (515 nm) and fast switching time of ∼0.5 s for both 515 and 750 nm. The all-organic PT-EV ECD doped with TiO₂ gives coloration efficiency of 1000 cm²/C at 515 nm along with moderate performance in other parameters, while the doping of MoO₃ also offers high change in transmittance at 750 nm for heat filtering property. All the metal oxides show high stability in the NIR region. Selecting the right metal oxide as dopant for improving a specific ECD performance would assist researchers in creating extremely effective ECD for on-field application of these smart electronic curtains.

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引用次数: 0

Thermophysical property and micro-structure of the molten NaCl-KCl-CaCl2 salt at high temperature by FPMD simulation

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Pub Date : 2025-04-10 DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113630

Xin Luo , Changjian Ling , Tingrui Xu , Weihua Liu , Zhongfeng Tang

The lack of thermophysical property data and kinetic characteristics parameter for the molten NaCl-KCl-CaCl₂ (NKC) salt over 873K limit its practical application in thermal energy storage systems. In order to solve this problem, the thermophysical properties and structural characteristics of the NKC molten salts were investigated using the first-principles molecular dynamics (FPMD) simulations coupling experiment test at 873−1173 K. The results show that the simulated specific heat capacity within the temperature range of 873 K–1173 K is in good agreement with the experimental values. Compared with the experimental values, the simulated density of the NKC molten salt has a maximum error of no more than 3.26 %. The viscosity values (1.26−2.13 cP) at the temperature range of 1073 K–1173 K were supplemented, and these values are consistent with the theoretically calculated values. The self-diffusion coefficients of each ion show the pattern of D_Na⁺>D_K⁺>D_Cl^‒>D_Ca²⁺. The causes of the changes in the thermophysical properties of the molten salts were also elaborated from the perspective of structural changes. With the increase in temperature, the high-coordination structure decreases and the low-coordination structure increases. The overall structure of the molten salt becomes loose, which leads to a decrease in density and viscosity. Ca−Cl shows a distorted octahedral configuration. It provides insights into the application of NKC in molten salt energy storage.

{"title":"Thermophysical property and micro-structure of the molten NaCl-KCl-CaCl2 salt at high temperature by FPMD simulation","authors":"Xin Luo , Changjian Ling , Tingrui Xu , Weihua Liu , Zhongfeng Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The lack of thermophysical property data and kinetic characteristics parameter for the molten NaCl-KCl-CaCl<sub>2</sub> (NKC) salt over 873K limit its practical application in thermal energy storage systems. In order to solve this problem, the thermophysical properties and structural characteristics of the NKC molten salts were investigated using the first-principles molecular dynamics (FPMD) simulations coupling experiment test at 873−1173 K. The results show that the simulated specific heat capacity within the temperature range of 873 K–1173 K is in good agreement with the experimental values. Compared with the experimental values, the simulated density of the NKC molten salt has a maximum error of no more than 3.26 %. The viscosity values (1.26−2.13 cP) at the temperature range of 1073 K–1173 K were supplemented, and these values are consistent with the theoretically calculated values. The self-diffusion coefficients of each ion show the pattern of <em>D</em><sub>Na</sub><sup>+</sup>><em>D</em><sub>K</sub><sup>+</sup>><em>D</em><sub>Cl</sub><sup>‒</sup>><em>D</em><sub>Ca</sub><sup>2+</sup>. The causes of the changes in the thermophysical properties of the molten salts were also elaborated from the perspective of structural changes. With the increase in temperature, the high-coordination structure decreases and the low-coordination structure increases. The overall structure of the molten salt becomes loose, which leads to a decrease in density and viscosity. Ca−Cl shows a distorted octahedral configuration. It provides insights into the application of NKC in molten salt energy storage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"288 ","pages":"Article 113630"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143808408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Simultaneous removal of phosphorus and boron from silicon via Na2O assisted by intensified temperature field in electron beam melting

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Pub Date : 2025-04-09 DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113628

Yuan Gao , Yi Tan , Wenliang Qi , Lidan Ning , Pengting Li

Optimizing the purification process of metallurgical-grade Si via metallurgical routes supports the advancement of solar-grade silicon manufacturing. Herein, P and B impurities are simultaneously removed during the electron beam melting (EBM) with a few Na₂O and graphite lining, abridging the two purification processes into a single melt. The simulation results indicate that graphite lining can intensify the temperature field of Si melt, which is favorable for P removal by evaporation. Significantly, the width and depth of the temperature line for effective oxidation of B is greatly enhanced by the graphite lining, which increases the removal of B. As a result, without introducing additional impurities, the contents of P and B are reduced from 2.02 ppmw and 12.76 ppmw to 0.14 ppmw and 0.94 ppmw, achieving removal efficiencies of 93.07 % and 92.63 %, respectively. This work provides a smart technique for the simultaneous removal of P and B from Si by EBM and streamlining the metallurgical routes to manufacture solar-grade silicon.

{"title":"Simultaneous removal of phosphorus and boron from silicon via Na2O assisted by intensified temperature field in electron beam melting","authors":"Yuan Gao , Yi Tan , Wenliang Qi , Lidan Ning , Pengting Li","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Optimizing the purification process of metallurgical-grade Si via metallurgical routes supports the advancement of solar-grade silicon manufacturing. Herein, P and B impurities are simultaneously removed during the electron beam melting (EBM) with a few Na<sub>2</sub>O and graphite lining, abridging the two purification processes into a single melt. The simulation results indicate that graphite lining can intensify the temperature field of Si melt, which is favorable for P removal by evaporation. Significantly, the width and depth of the temperature line for effective oxidation of B is greatly enhanced by the graphite lining, which increases the removal of B. As a result, without introducing additional impurities, the contents of P and B are reduced from 2.02 ppmw and 12.76 ppmw to 0.14 ppmw and 0.94 ppmw, achieving removal efficiencies of 93.07 % and 92.63 %, respectively. This work provides a smart technique for the simultaneous removal of P and B from Si by EBM and streamlining the metallurgical routes to manufacture solar-grade silicon.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"288 ","pages":"Article 113628"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143799621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Transition from silver-to copper-based screen printed SHJ solar cells

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Pub Date : 2025-04-09 DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113593

S. Pingel , F.M. Maarouf , N. Wengenmeyr , M. Linse , L. Folcarelli , J. Schube , S. Hoffmann , S. Tepner , J. Huyeng , A. Lorenz , F. Clement

In this work, we demonstrate the possibility to reduce silver consumption for highly efficient silicon heterojunction (SHJ) cells by screen printing using low temperature paste based on silver, silver-coated copper or pure copper particles. The achieved grid fingers were characterized towards the line and contact resistance as well as the printed width. The most promising pastes with silver or silver-coated-copper particles allow printing of 35 μm narrow fingers with low line resistance of well below 10 Ω/cm. Simulations show that the achieved grid fingers, lead to very low silver consumption. Comparing cost to efficiency optimization shows that the most cost-effective cell has substantially lower efficiency. This might enable the introduction of alternative low silver or silver-free metallization techniques. To show the currently available options to save silver in screen printed busbarless SHJ cells, samples were produced with specific silver consumption of 7.5 mg/W and even below 5 mg/W if the rear side was realized with a pure copper paste. In another test, silver-based cells with same level of efficiency, improved bifaciality and reduced silver laydown (1/3 compared to reference) around 8 mg/W were successfully introduced into modules.

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引用次数: 0

Optical characterization of alumina darkened with boron carbide inclusions for solar energy applications

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Pub Date : 2025-04-08 DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113619

Simone Failla , Elisa Sani , Diletta Sciti

Dark colored Al₂O₃-B₄C composites with 5–50 vol% B₄C additions were consolidated by hot pressing. The optical properties were investigated to evaluate new potential applications as solar receivers in concentrating solar power. The thermal emittance was estimated from 400 to 1700 K, as well as the opto-thermal efficiency when these materials are used as solar radiation absorbers in concentrating solar plants, for three exemplifying values of solar concentration ratio C, representative of different solar plants architectures. Efficiency values for the composites was increased by four times with respect to conventional white Al₂O₃ (for instance, at 800 K and C = 3000 we found 0.88 versus 0.20, at 1300 K 0.83 vs. 0.19) and remarkably, were also higher that the most advanced solar absorber currently in use in solar plants, namely SiC (efficiency 0.84 or 0.81 in the mentioned cases). Complementarily, the effect of B₄C on compaction behavior, microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was also investigated. The addition of 50 vol% B₄C significantly increased hardness and toughness compared to pure alumina, which could be of interest for structural applications, among others.

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引用次数: 0

High-efficiency solar metamaterial absorber based on multilayer circular ring arrays

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Pub Date : 2025-04-08 DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113623

Fuyin Luo, Xiaohu He, Chuanliang Li

Artificially designed tunable metamaterial solar absorbers are an important component of high-performance optoelectronic devices. However, these solar absorbers usually have insufficient absorption bandwidth or absorption efficiency, while the efficiency of solar absorbers in terms of thermal radiation efficiency is low or rarely investigated. This makes it difficult to meet the potential applications of solar absorbers in various aspects. In this paper, we propose a concentric ring array (CRA) metamaterial solar perfect absorber. We use the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) to simulate the structure. The simulation results show that the absorptivity of the plane wave incident vertically at 300–4000 nm is more than 95.8%, and the average absorptivity is 98.93%. This means there is perfect absorption in the bandwidth, which is essential for the complete absorption of solar energy. At the same time, the proposed absorber has excellent process tolerance and material substitutability, which means that the errors in the fabrication process and the lack of materials have little impact on our absorber, allowing the device to be manufactured in large quantities. The integrated absorption of CRA in the Air Mass 1.5 solar spectrum is as high as 98.22%, and it can be up to 99% after adjusting the geometrical parameter, which highlights the advantages of the absorber's process tolerance. In terms of thermal radiation, the proposed structure has a thermal radiation efficiency of more than 99% at 300–2000 K, which improves the low thermal radiation efficiency of previous solar absorbers. The temperature thermal stability study reveals that the CRA can maintain excellent working performance at any temperature. Notably, the perfect absorption is not affected by the polarization and angle of the incident light. The above results make the absorber promising for applications in solar energy collection, infrared imaging, electromagnetic cloaking, and emission.

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引用次数: 0