Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy最新文献

Enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si: H) solar cells remains a key objective in advancing thin-film photovoltaic technology. This study presents a comprehensive numerical optimization of a-Si: H p-i-n solar cells using the OghmaNano simulation platform under standard AM1.5G illumination (100 mW/cm²). The modeling accounts for Shockley–Read–Hall (SRH) recombination, carrier mobility, and field-dependent generation to ensure physical accuracy. The investigation focused on simultaneous optimization of the intrinsic layer thickness (100–600 nm) and bandgap tuning (1.6–1.95 eV) to determine their combined influence on device performance. Results revealed that the trade-off between open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current (Jsc) is governed by the balance between enhanced light absorption and increased carrier recombination. An intrinsic layer thickness of 200 nm and bandgap of 1.95 eV yielded the optimal configuration, achieving a simulated efficiency of 11.27%. This value aligns with experimental benchmarks when idealized conditions are considered. The findings confirm that dual-parameter optimization combining geometrical and electronic tuning can substantially improve carrier collection and energy conversion efficiency. Compared with previous studies, the proposed design demonstrates superior performance and provides clear guidelines for the structural engineering of high-efficiency a-Si: H solar cells.

The escalating demand for efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions has spotlighted post-modified biochar materials as promising candidates for supercapacitor electrodes due to their high power density, rapid charge/discharge rates, and long-term stability. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in the synthesis, activation, and functionalization of biochar for supercapacitor applications. Various biomass sources, including agricultural and industrial wastes, have been pyrolysed or hydrothermally carbonised and further activated using agents such as KOH, NaOH, ZnCl₂, and H₃PO₄, achieving specific surface areas (SSA) as high as 3577 m²/g and pore volumes up to 2.3 cm³/g. The electrochemical performance is significantly enhanced through heteroatom doping (N, O, S, P) and metal oxide composite formation, leading to specific capacitances ranging from 252 F/g to 550 F/g and energy densities up to 45.69 Wh/kg. Further, surface modification improves wettability and electron transport while mesopore/hierarchical structures facilitate ion diffusion. The nitrogen-doped biochar demonstrated a specific capacitance of 420 F g^− 1 at 1 A g^− 1.m, whereas KOH-activated walnut shell-derived biochar exhibited 3577 m²/g SSA and 81% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles. Also, surface oxidation techniques have improved wettability and charge transfer, leading to excellent long-term cycling stability, with capacitance retention above 95% after 10,000 cycles. Owing to increased attention towards eco-friendly, viable, and scalable energy solutions, this article presents a thorough overview of the advanced techniques to treat biochar as supercapacitors. Challenges such as scalability, performance, and cost-effectiveness are presented, and a discussion of the future outlook for integrating biochar for sustainable energy storage is provided.

Graphical abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained immense interest as next-generation photovoltaics due to their impressive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), ease of fabrication, and low production costs. Despite their potential, practical implementation is hindered by challenges such as interfacial recombination, suboptimal energy band alignment, and stability issues. This study addresses these challenges by investigating a novel perovskite-derived absorber material, Sr₃AsI₃, in combination with advanced charge transport layers (CTLs) to enhance device performance. Six distinct PSC configurations were systematically analyzed using polyethyleneimine ethoxylated (PEIE) and tungsten disulfide (WS₂) as electron transport layers (ETLs), and copper-based oxides (Cu₂O, SrCu₂O₂) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) as hole transport layers (HTLs). Initial configurations with 300-nm absorbers yielded PCEs in the range of 15.7–24.2%, depending on the CTL combination. A stepwise optimization was conducted by varying absorber thickness, absorber/CTL doping concentrations, and incorporating a reflective back surface. The most significant improvement resulted from increasing absorber thickness to 1200–1250 nm, which enhanced photocurrent collection. Optimized structures with absorber doping concentrations of 1 × 10¹⁷–1 × 10¹⁸ cm⁻³ delivered substantially improved efficiencies. Among all cases, the PEIE/Sr₃AsI₃/Cu₂O and WS₂/Sr₃AsI₃/Cu₂O configurations achieved peak PCEs of 28.52% and 28.50%, with Voc of 0.91 V, Jsc of 35.7 mA/cm², and FF of 87%. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of absorber thickness and controlled doping optimization in Sr₃AsI₃-based PSCs, providing a robust framework for designing stable, high-efficiency perovskite photovoltaics for practical energy applications.

This work presents a comprehensive computational investigation of lead (Pb)-free CsSbCl₄ Dion–Jacobson (DJ)-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs), combining density functional theory (DFT) and Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS 1-D) device simulations. The electronic and optical properties of CsSbCl₄ were evaluated using two different exchange–correlation functionals, PBE-GGA and TB-mBJ. Notably, the band structure displays a direct bandgap of 1.395 eV with TB-mBJ, closely aligned with the Shockley–Queisser (SQ) limit, indicating the material’s suitability for high-performance photovoltaics. Projected density of states (PDOS) analysis revealed Sb s-states dominate the valence band (VB), and Sb 5p-states dominate the conduction band (CB), highlighting the central role of antimony in governing electronic transitions, while absorption spans the electromagnetic spectrum from UV to near IR, with a high absorption coefficient around 10⁵ cm⁻¹, ensuring efficient light harvesting. To optimize the solar cell architecture, key parameters were systematically tuned using SCAPS 1-D, including the selection of electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transport layer (HTL), absorber layer (AL) thickness, doping concentration (N_A), and defect density (Nt) were varied to enhance device output. Further, the influence of external conditions like series resistance (Rs), shunt resistance (Rsh), operating temperatures (300–400 K), and solar irradiance on photovoltaic performance was rigorously investigated. After careful optimization, the simulated device achieved a high short-circuit current density (J_SC) of 30.34 mA/cm², an open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 1.04 V, a fill factor (FF) of 85.17%, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.95%. Altogether, these findings not only underscore the potential of CsSbCl₄ perovskite as a promising non-toxic Pb-free alternative but also provide a viable route toward the realization of high-efficiency next-generation photovoltaics.

This paper explores the integration of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell modules with Internet of Things applications, emphasizing their potential to provide sustainable, self-powered solutions. This research highlights the potential of nano titanium dioxide infused polymer electrolytes as a promising approach for advancing Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell technology, paving the way for more efficient, durable, and cost-effective solar energy harvesting systems. The prepared electrolytes are systematically investigated for their electrical conductivity, degree of crystallinity, charge transfer resistance, photovoltaic parameters, and surface roughness. The polymer electrolyte with10 wt% nano TiO₂ particle shows a maximum electrical conductivity of 0.658 S cm⁻¹ at 313 K. The highest E_a value for the optimised sample (S2) is 0.689 kJ mol⁻¹, indicating enhanced charge carrier transport kinetics. 10 wt % of nano-TiO₂ based polymer electrolytes exhibited a smaller R_ct1 (3.010 Ω cm²), Rct₂ (3.459 Ω cm2) and R_s (4.823 Ω cm2) compared to the other TiO₂ doped polymer electrolytes. The Atomic force microscopy analysis revealed that the average roughness value of optimised sample S2 is 22.616 nm. The optimized Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell exhibit an enhanced photo-conversion efficiency of 4.67 ± 0.05% under 100 mW cm⁻² illumination, making them suitable for sustainable IoT applications such as autonomous sensors and low-power embedded systems. Additionally, the DSSC module was integrated with an Internet of Things system that measured temperature and moisture. The user received the device’s output through an Android Smartphone App within 0.33 s. This work highlights the potential of nano-engineered polymer electrolytes in advancing DSSC technology for next-generation green energy solutions.

A novel CMTS-absorber-based heterojunction Solar Cell (SC) with device structure FTO/ZnO/Buffer layer (BL) /CMTS/Se has been numerically modeled and simulated using SCAPS-1D software. Our aim is to identify the most promising sulphur-based buffer layer that offers high efficiency and lower toxicity, which is essential for reducing the carbon footprint. The primary objective is to enhance the efficiency of the SC by optimizing key photovoltaic (PV) parameters of the corresponding buffer layer (BL), absorber layer (AL), along with interface defect density. From the simulations and the energy band diagram, we found that CMTS-based SC with ZrS(_{2}) buffer layer revealed an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE). The effects of the front electrode’s work function and operating temperature on the device were also investigated. The findings indicate that the device exhibits greater stability and achieves optimum performance at a temperature of 300 K, with an optimized work function value of 5.9 eV (Se). Furthermore, the effects of Series resistance and Shunt resistance were considered in this study. To gain insight into the built-in potential, the capacitance–voltage (C–V) characteristics were also analysed. Device performance was properly explained by analyzing the electric field, generation rate, and both radiative and nonradiative recombination rates. The simulations achieved SC performances with a PCE of 26.01 %, a fill factor (FF) of 83.21 %, a short-circuit current ((J_{sc})) of 27.93 mA/cm², and an open-circuit voltage ((V_{oc})) of 1.11 V.

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) require high proton conductivity, stability, and durability for fuel cell applications. This study reports the synthesis of N-(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonyl) chitosan (CSB) via Schiff base functionalization with 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and the introduction of imine (–CH=N–) and sulfonic acid (–SO₃H) groups, which significantly enhance dual proton conduction mechanisms through the Grotthuss and vehicular pathways. Structural validation was confirmed by FTIR (new imine stretching peak at 1625 cm⁻¹), NMR (imine proton resonance at 8.2 ppm), and XRD [peak shifts from 9.54° to 9.81° for (020) and 20.44° to 19.87° for (110)], increasing the d-spacing from 0.93 to 0.96 Å and 0.43 to 0.47 Å). The BET analysis revealed a surface area of 0.9856 m²/g for CSB and 0.3251 m²/g for AMPS, with micropore areas of 0.5997 m²/g and 0.4955 m²/g, respectively, confirming a controlled porous architecture favorable for ion transport. Zeta potential analysis demonstrated the influence of surface charge on stability, with CS exhibiting a strongly positive charge (+ 58.33 mV), AMPS showing near-neutral behavior (+ 0.29 mV), and CSB achieving moderate electrostatic stabilization (+ 5.58 mV). The synergy between the BET micropore distribution and zeta potential regulation enables efficient ion mobility and electrochemical stability, optimizing the proton conductivity. CSB achieved a proton conductivity of 86.2 mS/cm at 100 °C, surpassing that of pristine CS (49.1 mS/cm), with a lower activation energy (10 vs. 24 kJ/mol for CS). Additionally, CSB resulted in lower water uptake (55%) than CS (90%) and reduced methanol permeability (3.276 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/s vs. 5.358 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/s for CS), ensuring hydration-independent conductivity. Mechanical testing revealed a threefold increase in the tensile strength (31.6 MPa vs. 11.7 MPa for CS) and a significant increase in the elastic modulus (802.4 MPa vs. 195.7 MPa for CS), validating its structural reinforcement ability. These findings confirm the successful incorporation of Schiff base functionalization, demonstrating that CSB is a high-performance, biodegradable alternative to Nafion-based PEMs, offering superior proton conductivity, electrochemical resilience, and mechanical stability for next-generation fuel cell technologies.

Iron–nitrogen–carbons (Fe–N_x–Cs) are among the most studied platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, detailed and comprehensive studies of ORR activity and selectivity along the whole pH range, considering the possible influence of morphology and surface chemistry, are currently lacking in the literature. Herein, four Fe–N_x–Cs electrocatalysts synthesized with different methodologies and displaying different morphological and physicochemical features were tested for ORR with a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) in the whole pH range. The trends of onset potential (E_on), half-wave potential (E_1/2), peroxide yield, number of transferred electrons (n), charge transfer coefficient (α) and logarithm of kinetic current densities (logJ_k) along the pH scale were reported. Among the electrocatalysts, both unique behaviors and common electrochemical trends were identified, each characterized by varying rates of change. The occurrence of Fe agglomeration, the surface area and chemistry were found to influence the trends of these physicochemical quantities, giving rise to differences among the tested electrocatalysts. Therefore, the study concluded that the ORR electrocatalysts investigated possess different morphological and physicochemical properties developed during the distinct synthesis processes. Although similar electrochemical activity patterns were exhibited by the samples under analysis, differences in the rate of variations within such trends were noticed, signifying modulations in the reaction kinetics or mechanistic pathways due to contrasting morphological and physicochemical characteristics. This can eventually suggest the possibility of selecting an appropriate electrocatalyst for operating at a specific pH.

Energy storage technologies have become increasingly essential in addressing the global transition toward renewable energy systems. The rapid global shift toward renewable energy has made efficient and reliable energy storage technologies (ESTs) essential for addressing the intermittency of solar, wind, and other clean energy sources. Recent research highlights significant advancements in battery chemistries, supercapacitors, hydrogen storage, and thermal energy systems; however, persistent challenges such as high manufacturing costs, limited cycle life, low energy density, and environmental impacts continue to hinder large-scale implementation. Despite the growing number of studies, there is a lack of integrated knowledge that systematically maps recent trends, material innovations, and application specific challenges. This review aims to bridge that gap by comprehensively analyzing advancements in energy storage technologies over the past decade, evaluating key performance indicators such as energy and power density, efficiency, and lifecycle sustainability. By synthesizing findings from peer-reviewed literatures this study identifies critical barriers and emerging strategies such as nanostructured materials, hybrid systems, and circular economy approaches that could redefine future energy storage landscapes. The conclusions underscore the urgent need for interdisciplinary research, material optimization, and cost-effective designs to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation storage technologies.

Radiative cooling transfers thermal energy to outer space through the mid-infrared spectrum. Silica glass microspheres can create high-emissivity metamaterials. This study prepared mesoporous and silica-based bioglass particles due to strong phonon-polariton resonances of silica and used a biomimetic mineralization process to form calcium carbonate and hydroxyapatite nanoscale structures. These structures scatter and reflect sunlight effectively. Polyvinyl alcohol substrate, with infrared molecular vibration characteristics, formed an interpenetrating polymer network with micro/nano hierarchical structure powders for daytime passive radiation cooling. Characterization of biomimetic mineral coatings included: microstructures observation by field-emission scanning electron microscopy; phase identification by X-ray diffraction; Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and pore size distribution measurement; solar reflectivity and infrared absorption measurement. Taguchi method is an experimental planning method that can handle multiple variables and levels at the same time. The optimized condition level based on Taguchi method can be evaluated as: particle size of 2 μm, mineral period of 3 days, mineral concentration of 50%, and powder concentration of 30%. The radiative cooling performance test outdoors results show that the biomimetic mineralized bioglass coating can reach a maximum temperature reduction of 27.4 °C compared to 304 stainless steel plate at noon by radiation cooling. Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system was also used to construct an artificial intelligence model to predict the biomimetic mineralized material optimize radiation cooling and applicability. If the local weather conditions are provided, the radiation cooling performance of the product can be predicted. This study showed bio-inspired materials for radiative cooling by biomimetic mineralization.