Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114133
Yeonhwa Kim , Hyun-Beom Shin , Eunkyo Ju , Tsimafei Laryn , Taehee Kim , In-Hwan Lee , Ho Kwan Kang , Won Jun Choi , Daehwan Jung
Epitaxial integration of III−V solar cells on a silicon substrate offers large-scale, relatively low-fabrication cost, and high-efficiency photovoltaics. However, challenges remain in realizing wide bandgap III-V buffers with low threading dislocation density (TDD) and low parasitic absorption. To address the issues, we explore the epitaxial growth of n-AlxGa1-xAs (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10) buffers on Si to enhance short-circuit current (Jsc) of the III-V/Si tandem cells. Photoluminescence measurements confirm an increased bandgap of 1.55 eV for n-Al0.10Ga0.90As buffer. Higher Al composition increases the TDD while the buffer roughness remains almost constant. Notably, the 1.55 eV n-AlGaAs buffer achieves a TDD of 2.5 × 107 cm−2 with two asymmetric step-graded filters. As a proof of concept, GaAs/Si tandem and InGaP/GaAs/Si triple-junction cells achieve enhanced Jsc of 8.0 and 8.5 mA/cm2, respectively. This study demonstrates the feasibility of high bandgap n-AlxGa1-xAs buffers to enhance the Jsc in Si bottom cells, advancing the development of high-efficiency, low-cost III-V/Si multi-junction solar cells.
{"title":"Enhanced short-circuit current density in epitaxial InGaP/GaAs/Si triple-junction solar cells enabled by wide bandgap n-AlGaAs buffers","authors":"Yeonhwa Kim , Hyun-Beom Shin , Eunkyo Ju , Tsimafei Laryn , Taehee Kim , In-Hwan Lee , Ho Kwan Kang , Won Jun Choi , Daehwan Jung","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114133","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Epitaxial integration of III−V solar cells on a silicon substrate offers large-scale, relatively low-fabrication cost, and high-efficiency photovoltaics. However, challenges remain in realizing wide bandgap III-V buffers with low threading dislocation density (TDD) and low parasitic absorption. To address the issues, we explore the epitaxial growth of n-Al<sub>x</sub>Ga<sub>1-x</sub>As (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10) buffers on Si to enhance short-circuit current (J<sub>sc</sub>) of the III-V/Si tandem cells. Photoluminescence measurements confirm an increased bandgap of 1.55 eV for n-Al<sub>0.10</sub>Ga<sub>0.90</sub>As buffer. Higher Al composition increases the TDD while the buffer roughness remains almost constant. Notably, the 1.55 eV n-AlGaAs buffer achieves a TDD of 2.5 × 10<sup>7</sup> cm<sup>−2</sup> with two asymmetric step-graded filters. As a proof of concept, GaAs/Si tandem and InGaP/GaAs/Si triple-junction cells achieve enhanced J<sub>sc</sub> of 8.0 and 8.5 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, respectively. This study demonstrates the feasibility of high bandgap n-Al<sub>x</sub>Ga<sub>1-x</sub>As buffers to enhance the J<sub>sc</sub> in Si bottom cells, advancing the development of high-efficiency, low-cost III-V/Si multi-junction solar cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 114133"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880694","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114125
Nicholas E. Grant , Anup Yadav , Sophie L. Pain , Luke Wilkins , Edris Khorani , Lachlan Black
The bulk lifetime (τbulk) of high-quality silicon wafers is becoming ever more important as the efficiency of the solar cells increases (i.e. >27 %). As such there is a growing necessity to measure τbulk directly. In this work, we showcase a non-destructive technique to infer τbulk of high-quality wafers, termed the Charge Decoupling Method. This method is very simple and only requires atomic layer deposited (ALD) aluminium oxide (Al2O3)—or any other highly charged film (e.g. >1012 q cm−2)—and corona charging. By measuring the decay in the effective lifetime as the net negative charge decreases—due to the sequential deposition of positive corona charges—we can quantify the shape of the curve—analogous to the fill factor for a solar cell—and from this, determine the injection-dependent τbulk and surface recombination velocity S. To experimentally verify the method, we apply the charge decoupling method to Al2O3 passivated Czochralski-grown 5 Ω cm, n-type, 150 μm thick silicon wafers. From this we obtain a τbulk of ∼30 ms and a corresponding S of 0.2 cm−1 at an injection level of ∼1015 cm−3. Mathematically, we demonstrate that the charge decoupling method depends solely on the ratio of surface to bulk recombination and thus does not depend on the doping type, resistivity, charge density, wafer thickness, interface defect density and the injection-dependent bulk lifetime.
{"title":"A non-destructive method to infer the bulk lifetime in high-quality silicon wafers","authors":"Nicholas E. Grant , Anup Yadav , Sophie L. Pain , Luke Wilkins , Edris Khorani , Lachlan Black","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The bulk lifetime (τ<sub><em>bulk</em></sub>) of high-quality silicon wafers is becoming ever more important as the efficiency of the solar cells increases (i.e. >27 %). As such there is a growing necessity to measure τ<sub><em>bulk</em></sub> directly. In this work, we showcase a non-destructive technique to infer τ<sub><em>bulk</em></sub> of high-quality wafers, termed the Charge Decoupling Method. This method is very simple and only requires atomic layer deposited (ALD) aluminium oxide (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>)—or any other highly charged film (e.g. >10<sup>12</sup> q cm<sup>−2</sup>)—and corona charging. By measuring the decay in the effective lifetime as the net negative charge decreases—due to the sequential deposition of positive corona charges—we can quantify the shape of the curve—analogous to the fill factor for a solar cell—and from this, determine the injection-dependent τ<sub><em>bulk</em></sub> and surface recombination velocity <em>S</em>. To experimentally verify the method, we apply the charge decoupling method to Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> passivated Czochralski-grown 5 Ω cm, <em>n</em>-type, 150 μm thick silicon wafers. From this we obtain a τ<sub><em>bulk</em></sub> of ∼30 ms and a corresponding <em>S</em> of 0.2 cm<sup>−1</sup> at an injection level of ∼10<sup>15</sup> cm<sup>−3</sup>. Mathematically, we demonstrate that the charge decoupling method depends solely on the ratio of surface to bulk recombination and thus does not depend on the doping type, resistivity, charge density, wafer thickness, interface defect density and the injection-dependent bulk lifetime.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 114125"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880648","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114137
Arpita Biswas , Ram Prakash Sharma , Utpal Kumar Saha
The incorporation of nanofluids in solar water pump systems (SWPS) accelerates the thermal efficiency of the solar collectors within them, which extends the reliability and lifespan of the pump. Based on this scenario, the present article scrutinizes the skin friction and heat transfer rate of the magnetized flow of the chemically reactive nanofluid past a permeable solar collector stretching sheet of the SWPS. Moreover, the integration of a solar radiating heat-generation source, chemical reaction, thermal radiation, Joule, and viscous dissipation further enriches the study. To streamline the analysis, the governing partial differential equations are converted into their non-dimensional forms of ordinary differential equations and computed numerically utilizing the shooting mechanism integrated with a 4th-order Runge-Kutta approach. To statistically evaluate the skin friction and heat transfer rate Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is applied. Moreover, to design the efficient predictive capability of skin friction and heat transfer rate, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model using various factors is employed. However, the results expose that the accelerating magnetization and porosity result in a reduction in the velocity profile for both suction and injection cases. The Nusselt number and the skin friction obtained the most significant skin friction and heat transfer rate at epoch 9 and 110 with a gradient of 0.00111 and 4.0542e05, respectively. In the context of the inertial drag and Nusselt number, the neural network analysis exhibits the highest sensitivity towards the magnetic parameter and Eckert number, respectively.
{"title":"Multilayer neural network simulation of solar-radiative nanofluid flow with entropy generation for solar water pump applications","authors":"Arpita Biswas , Ram Prakash Sharma , Utpal Kumar Saha","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114137","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114137","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The incorporation of nanofluids in solar water pump systems (SWPS) accelerates the thermal efficiency of the solar collectors within them, which extends the reliability and lifespan of the pump. Based on this scenario, the present article scrutinizes the skin friction and heat transfer rate of the magnetized flow of the chemically reactive nanofluid past a permeable solar collector stretching sheet of the SWPS. Moreover, the integration of a solar radiating heat-generation source, chemical reaction, thermal radiation, Joule, and viscous dissipation further enriches the study. To streamline the analysis, the governing partial differential equations are converted into their non-dimensional forms of ordinary differential equations and computed numerically utilizing the shooting mechanism integrated with a 4th-order Runge-Kutta approach. To statistically evaluate the skin friction and heat transfer rate Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is applied. Moreover, to design the efficient predictive capability of skin friction and heat transfer rate, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model using various factors is employed. However, the results expose that the accelerating magnetization and porosity result in a reduction in the velocity profile for both suction and injection cases. The Nusselt number and the skin friction obtained the most significant skin friction and heat transfer rate at epoch 9 and 110 with a gradient of 0.00111 and 4.0542e<sup>05</sup>, respectively. In the context of the inertial drag and Nusselt number, the neural network analysis exhibits the highest sensitivity towards the magnetic parameter and Eckert number, respectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 114137"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880653","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114136
Amit Kumar Mishra , Matteo Morciano , Elena Campagnoli , Valter Giaretto , Matteo Fasano , Eliodoro Chiavazzo
Bio-based shape-stabilized composite phase change materials (ss-PCMs) are emerging as sustainable solutions for thermal and solar energy harvesting. However, typical shape-stability issues, poor thermal/optical properties, and complex synthesis methods hinder the use of such materials at large scale. This study reports the design of nanofiller-loaded bio-based composite PCMs with enhanced thermo-optical and mechanical properties (shape-stability). Incorporating a 25 wt% biomass-derived porous matrix (coffee/turmeric powder) significantly enhanced the material's structural integrity by effectively controlling PCM leakage while achieving a high latent thermal energy storage (TES) capacity of ∼130 J/g. Graphene-loaded ss-composite PCMs demonstrated a significant photothermal conversion efficiency enhancement (106 %) and effective thermal management (TM) potential (superheat degree reduced by ∼ 10 °C) compared to pristine PCM, due to the improved photo-thermal properties and power density. Thermal cycling (up to 500 cycles) and load-bearing capacity tests (∼212,566 and ∼31,242 N/m2 across the phase transition zone) confirm the high reliability of the proposed novel ss-composite PCMs in terms of thermal and shape stability. These results highlight their strong potential for long-term TES applications, with stable performance even under adverse environmental conditions such as humidity and wetting. This research contributes to the design of bio-compatible (possibly edible) substance-based strategies for creating cost-effective composite PCMs with enhanced thermo-optical and shape stability characteristics, offering significant advancement for latent TES systems and TM technologies.
{"title":"Coffee and turmeric bio-based shape-stabilized composite PCMs for thermal and solar energy storage applications","authors":"Amit Kumar Mishra , Matteo Morciano , Elena Campagnoli , Valter Giaretto , Matteo Fasano , Eliodoro Chiavazzo","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114136","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114136","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bio-based shape-stabilized composite phase change materials (ss-PCMs) are emerging as sustainable solutions for thermal and solar energy harvesting. However, typical shape-stability issues, poor thermal/optical properties, and complex synthesis methods hinder the use of such materials at large scale. This study reports the design of nanofiller-loaded bio-based composite PCMs with enhanced thermo-optical and mechanical properties (shape-stability). Incorporating a 25 wt% biomass-derived porous matrix (coffee/turmeric powder) significantly enhanced the material's structural integrity by effectively controlling PCM leakage while achieving a high latent thermal energy storage (TES) capacity of ∼130 J/g. Graphene-loaded ss-composite PCMs demonstrated a significant photothermal conversion efficiency enhancement (106 %) and effective thermal management (TM) potential (superheat degree reduced by ∼ 10 °C) compared to pristine PCM, due to the improved photo-thermal properties and power density. Thermal cycling (up to 500 cycles) and load-bearing capacity tests (∼212,566 and ∼31,242 N/m<sup>2</sup> across the phase transition zone) confirm the high reliability of the proposed novel ss-composite PCMs in terms of thermal and shape stability. These results highlight their strong potential for long-term TES applications, with stable performance even under adverse environmental conditions such as humidity and wetting. This research contributes to the design of bio-compatible (possibly edible) substance-based strategies for creating cost-effective composite PCMs with enhanced thermo-optical and shape stability characteristics, offering significant advancement for latent TES systems and TM technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 114136"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880656","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114127
Ying Du , Ziqiang Cheng , Tingting Li , Shan Xin , Taotao Hu , Jixian Song , Shuhai Zhang , Yang Tao , Yinfeng Jiang , Kai Wang , Wusong Tao , Dawei Zhang
Temperature management is of great significance for ensuring the stability and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The “hotspot” phenomenon, a localized temperature rise in solar cells due to the current mismatch, pose a significant operational risk. This study introduces a rapid hotspot risk assessment method for TOPCon cells based on reverse-biased electroluminescence (EL) imaging. The proposed model predicts both the location and severity of heating under reverse bias, outputing an evaluation parameter that serves as screening criteria to identify and eliminate high-risk cells. Experimental results indicate that PV modules built with screened cells exhibit a 5–13 °C reduction in hotspot temperature, effectively controlling the hotspot temperature below 171 °C. Furthermore, a 40-day outdoor test confirms that this approach reduces power generation loss by approximately 1 %. As this method requires only EL images as input, it offers excellent compatibility for seamless integration into industrial production lines, enabling proactive hotspot risk mitigation in the manufacture process of PV modules.
{"title":"Hotspot risk assessment model for TOPCon solar cells based on reverse-biased EL imaging","authors":"Ying Du , Ziqiang Cheng , Tingting Li , Shan Xin , Taotao Hu , Jixian Song , Shuhai Zhang , Yang Tao , Yinfeng Jiang , Kai Wang , Wusong Tao , Dawei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114127","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114127","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Temperature management is of great significance for ensuring the stability and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The “hotspot” phenomenon, a localized temperature rise in solar cells due to the current mismatch, pose a significant operational risk. This study introduces a rapid hotspot risk assessment method for TOPCon cells based on reverse-biased electroluminescence (EL) imaging. The proposed model predicts both the location and severity of heating under reverse bias, outputing an evaluation parameter that serves as screening criteria to identify and eliminate high-risk cells. Experimental results indicate that PV modules built with screened cells exhibit a 5–13 °C reduction in hotspot temperature, effectively controlling the hotspot temperature below 171 °C. Furthermore, a 40-day outdoor test confirms that this approach reduces power generation loss by approximately 1 %. As this method requires only EL images as input, it offers excellent compatibility for seamless integration into industrial production lines, enabling proactive hotspot risk mitigation in the manufacture process of PV modules.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 114127"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880652","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114135
Keyan Sun, Zhiyin Ye, Fanmu Meng, Nan Sheng, Chunyu Zhu, Changhui Liu, Fei Hou
Phase change materials are quite promising for energy conversion and management, while limited by the leakage problem and single thermal response for energy storage. Herein, a multi-responsive phase change aerogel with solar/electro-thermal energy conversion is developed. The phase change enthalpy reaches 139.91 J/g with solar/electro-thermal conversion efficiency of 93.5 %/73.4 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the lowered thermal conductivity of 0.041 W/mK further endows the system enhanced thermal insulation property. Such phase change aerogel may shed light on the development of complementary multi-energy utilization and thermal management application.
{"title":"Multi-responsive phase change aerogel for solar/electro-thermal energy conversion and management","authors":"Keyan Sun, Zhiyin Ye, Fanmu Meng, Nan Sheng, Chunyu Zhu, Changhui Liu, Fei Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114135","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114135","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phase change materials are quite promising for energy conversion and management, while limited by the leakage problem and single thermal response for energy storage. Herein, a multi-responsive phase change aerogel with solar/electro-thermal energy conversion is developed. The phase change enthalpy reaches 139.91 J/g with solar/electro-thermal conversion efficiency of 93.5 %/73.4 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the lowered thermal conductivity of 0.041 W/mK further endows the system enhanced thermal insulation property. Such phase change aerogel may shed light on the development of complementary multi-energy utilization and thermal management application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 114135"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880651","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}
Control over nucleation and cation-redistribution are challenging works for crystallization optimization of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) film. Herein, it is demonstrated that both the processes are associated with S-to-Se substitution of the film in selenization. Thus, deliberate regulation of S-to-Se substitution offers a viable pathway for optimizing crystallization of CZTSSe films. By creating microscopic pores in precursor film, S-to-Se substitution of the film is accelerated in early-stage of selenization (350–400 °C). The accelerated S-to-Se substitution weakens reaction-controlled crystallization by reducing content of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) within the film, thus inhibiting nucleation of the film. Besides, the accelerated S-to-Se substitution decreases Cu/(Zn + Sn) ratio and increases Zn/Sn ratio in surface region of the film, thereby inhibiting nucleation and benefiting formation of favorable defects in CZTSSe grains. In late-stage of selenization (>500 °C), a loose crystalline layer forms on top of the film due to suppressed nucleation, which eliminates fine-grain layer of the film by benefiting bottom-to-top elemental transport. The altered crystallization decreases donor level and reduces deep-level defects in CZTSSe film, thus suppressing carrier recombination and achieving 13.5 % efficient solar cell (without alloying in CZTSSe layer). These results provide fundamental insights for understanding crystallization of CZTSSe films.
{"title":"Improving performance of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cell by regulating S-to-Se substitution controlled nucleation and cation-redistribution of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 film","authors":"Chao Gao, Hao Li, Yanxin Huo, Cong Song, Qing Zhou, Yang Liu, Rui Zhang, Xinzhan Wang, Wei Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114140","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114140","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Control over nucleation and cation-redistribution are challenging works for crystallization optimization of Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSn(S,Se)<sub>4</sub> (CZTSSe) film. Herein, it is demonstrated that both the processes are associated with S-to-Se substitution of the film in selenization. Thus, deliberate regulation of S-to-Se substitution offers a viable pathway for optimizing crystallization of CZTSSe films. By creating microscopic pores in precursor film, S-to-Se substitution of the film is accelerated in early-stage of selenization (350–400 °C). The accelerated S-to-Se substitution weakens reaction-controlled crystallization by reducing content of Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSnS<sub>4</sub> (CZTS) within the film, thus inhibiting nucleation of the film. Besides, the accelerated S-to-Se substitution decreases Cu/(Zn + Sn) ratio and increases Zn/Sn ratio in surface region of the film, thereby inhibiting nucleation and benefiting formation of favorable defects in CZTSSe grains. In late-stage of selenization (>500 °C), a loose crystalline layer forms on top of the film due to suppressed nucleation, which eliminates fine-grain layer of the film by benefiting bottom-to-top elemental transport. The altered crystallization decreases donor level and reduces deep-level defects in CZTSSe film, thus suppressing carrier recombination and achieving 13.5 % efficient solar cell (without alloying in CZTSSe layer). These results provide fundamental insights for understanding crystallization of CZTSSe films.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 114140"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787814","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114139
Xiaolei Liu , Luksa Kujovic , Zhaoxia Zhou , Stuart Robertson , Mustafa Togay , Jacques Kenyon , Luis C. Infante-Ortega , Martin Bliss , Jake W. Bowers , John M. Walls , Ciaran Llewelyn , Dan A. Lamb , Stuart J.C. Irvine , Chungho Lee , Wei Zhang , Dingyuan Lu , Gang Xiong
Thin film cadmium telluride is the most important second-generation solar cell technology. Although the photo-absorber is polycrystalline, high conversion efficiency has been achieved by effectively passivating the grain boundaries and other bulk defects. In this paper, we report on the use of a bilayer SnO/ZnO n-type buffer to improve passivation at the p–n junction interface to achieve 21.7% efficiency. We have assessed the quality of the interface with highly sensitive electrical measurements and a combination of high-resolution electron microscopy and cathodoluminescence. High-resolution cathodoluminescence has enabled the measurement of the recombination velocity to quantify the improvement in interface defect passivation. We have combined this with direct observation of the coherence of the interface at the atomic scale. The use of these techniques will revolutionize our ability to assess future passivation strategies at the front p–n junction and also at the back contact of thin film photovoltaic devices.
{"title":"Improved interface passivation in high-efficiency Se-alloyed CdTe solar cells using a SnO2/ZnO n-type bilayer","authors":"Xiaolei Liu , Luksa Kujovic , Zhaoxia Zhou , Stuart Robertson , Mustafa Togay , Jacques Kenyon , Luis C. Infante-Ortega , Martin Bliss , Jake W. Bowers , John M. Walls , Ciaran Llewelyn , Dan A. Lamb , Stuart J.C. Irvine , Chungho Lee , Wei Zhang , Dingyuan Lu , Gang Xiong","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114139","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thin film cadmium telluride is the most important second-generation solar cell technology. Although the photo-absorber is polycrystalline, high conversion efficiency has been achieved by effectively passivating the grain boundaries and other bulk defects. In this paper, we report on the use of a bilayer SnO<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>/ZnO n-type buffer to improve passivation at the p–n junction interface to achieve 21.7% efficiency. We have assessed the quality of the interface with highly sensitive electrical measurements and a combination of high-resolution electron microscopy and cathodoluminescence. High-resolution cathodoluminescence has enabled the measurement of the recombination velocity to quantify the improvement in interface defect passivation. We have combined this with direct observation of the coherence of the interface at the atomic scale. The use of these techniques will revolutionize our ability to assess future passivation strategies at the front p–n junction and also at the back contact of thin film photovoltaic devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 114139"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787813","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-19DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114132
Zhi Li , Xin Jiang , Long Yuan , Jian Zhang , Yu Duan , Xiaotian Yang
Surface and interface of transparent conductive layers in devices play important roles on charge accumulation, potential distribution, and charge conducting, which affect the properties and performance of opto-electrical devices in many aspects. Herein, we report a surface epi-textured modification strategy on indium tin oxide (ITO) to demonstrate its function in redistribution of charge accumulation on a model plasmonic electrochromic device. The epi-textured ITO layer was grown via a solvothermal method, which changes the randomly grown ITO layers in commercial magnetron sputtering deposited ITO grains into tiny nano-epi-textured octahedral grains. The modified surface structure redistributed the surface potential and charge-transfer pathway, therefore facilitating a faster coloring time and a wide size-distribution of Ag nanocrystals onto the ITO layer in electrochromic device. The modified device show superior optical modulation efficiency and heat insulating performance. This work provides a feasible strategy for electrode surface charge distribution control for the transparent conductive layer, which is important for design and fabrication new opto-electrical devices.
{"title":"Epi-textured ITO layer as dynamic controller for plasmonic electrochromic smart windows","authors":"Zhi Li , Xin Jiang , Long Yuan , Jian Zhang , Yu Duan , Xiaotian Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114132","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114132","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surface and interface of transparent conductive layers in devices play important roles on charge accumulation, potential distribution, and charge conducting, which affect the properties and performance of opto-electrical devices in many aspects. Herein, we report a surface epi-textured modification strategy on indium tin oxide (ITO) to demonstrate its function in redistribution of charge accumulation on a model plasmonic electrochromic device. The epi-textured ITO layer was grown via a solvothermal method, which changes the randomly grown ITO layers in commercial magnetron sputtering deposited ITO grains into tiny nano-epi-textured octahedral grains. The modified surface structure redistributed the surface potential and charge-transfer pathway, therefore facilitating a faster coloring time and a wide size-distribution of Ag nanocrystals onto the ITO layer in electrochromic device. The modified device show superior optical modulation efficiency and heat insulating performance. This work provides a feasible strategy for electrode surface charge distribution control for the transparent conductive layer, which is important for design and fabrication new opto-electrical devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 114132"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787815","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-19DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114134
Yujiao Li , Yixiao Li , Tong Lu , Yongxuan Xiang , Tianyu Cai , Gang Tan , Tieling Xing
As global energy demand rises and climate change intensifies, sustainable and energy-efficient thermal regulation solutions are attracting significant attention. Radiative cooling and solar heating offer passive temperature control without external energy input. However, their unidirectional nature (either cooling or heating) limits adaptability to varying environmental conditions. In this study, a dual-mode Janus composite fabric was developed to enable reversible radiative cooling and solar heating for adaptive thermal management. The asymmetric architecture features a cooling side (porous Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP)/hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)/Paraffin (Pn)@silicon dioxide (SiO2)) achieving 96.24 % solar reflectance and 94.78 % IR emissivity. The heating side (multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/sericin) exhibits 94.23 % solar absorptivity. Thanks to its excellent spectral properties, this Janus fabric demonstrated excellent solar heating performance (39 °C) and passive radiative cooling effect (10 °C) under sunlight compared to original cotton fabrics. Furthermore, the encapsulated PCMs (Pn@SiO2, ΔHm = 179.4 J/g) provided a thermal buffer platform during heating and cooling periods, effectively mitigating sudden temperature changes. Additionally, the Janus fabrics demonstrated outstanding flexibility, air permeability, and hydrophobic easy-cleaning properties. These findings suggest that this work could provide a sustainable, energy-free solution for adaptive thermal management in dynamic climatic environments.
{"title":"Phase change material-integrated Janus fabric with radiative cooling/solar heating for adaptive thermal management","authors":"Yujiao Li , Yixiao Li , Tong Lu , Yongxuan Xiang , Tianyu Cai , Gang Tan , Tieling Xing","doi":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As global energy demand rises and climate change intensifies, sustainable and energy-efficient thermal regulation solutions are attracting significant attention. Radiative cooling and solar heating offer passive temperature control without external energy input. However, their unidirectional nature (either cooling or heating) limits adaptability to varying environmental conditions. In this study, a dual-mode Janus composite fabric was developed to enable reversible radiative cooling and solar heating for adaptive thermal management. The asymmetric architecture features a cooling side (porous Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP)/hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)/Paraffin (Pn)@silicon dioxide (SiO<sub>2</sub>)) achieving 96.24 % solar reflectance and 94.78 % IR emissivity. The heating side (multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/sericin) exhibits 94.23 % solar absorptivity. Thanks to its excellent spectral properties, this Janus fabric demonstrated excellent solar heating performance (39 °C) and passive radiative cooling effect (10 °C) under sunlight compared to original cotton fabrics. Furthermore, the encapsulated PCMs (Pn@SiO<sub>2</sub>, Δ<em>H</em><sub>m</sub> = 179.4 J/g) provided a thermal buffer platform during heating and cooling periods, effectively mitigating sudden temperature changes. Additionally, the Janus fabrics demonstrated outstanding flexibility, air permeability, and hydrophobic easy-cleaning properties. These findings suggest that this work could provide a sustainable, energy-free solution for adaptive thermal management in dynamic climatic environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":429,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 114134"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787816","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}
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