Electronic Characterisation of Earth‐Abundant Sulphides for Solar Photovoltaics
Electronic Characterisation of Earth‐Abundant Sulphides for Solar Photovoltaics

Author: Thomas James Whittles

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-07-31

Total Pages: 362

ISBN-13: 3319916653

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This book examines the electronic structure of earth-abundant and environmentally friendly materials for use as absorber layers within photovoltaic cells. The corroboration between high-quality photoemission measurements and density of states calculations yields valuable insights into why these materials have demonstrated poor device efficiencies in the vast literature cited. The book shows how the materials’ underlying electronic structures affect their properties, and how the band positions make them unsuitable for use with established solar cell technologies. After explaining these poor efficiencies, the book offers alternative window layer materials to improve the use of these absorbers. The power of photoemission and interpretation of the data in terms of factors generally overlooked in the literature, such as the materials’ oxidation and phase impurity, is demonstrated. Representing a unique reference guide, the book will be of considerable interest and value to members of the photoemission community engaged in solar cell research, and to a wider materials science audience as well.

Sulfide and Selenide Based Materials for Emerging Applications
Sulfide and Selenide Based Materials for Emerging Applications

Author: Goutam Kumar Dalapati

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2022-06-17

Total Pages: 804

ISBN-13: 0323998828

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Sulfide and Selenide-Based Materials for Emerging Applications explores a materials and device-based approach to the transition to low-cost sustainable thin film photovoltaic devices and energy storage systems. Part 1 examines recent advances in renewable technologies and materials for sustainable development, as well as photovoltaic energy storage devices. Part 2 discusses thin film solar cells with earth abundant materials, highlighting the power conversion efficiency of the kesterite-based solar cells. Kesterite film technology including different synthesis and doping method designs are also discussed, along with emerging sulfide semiconductors with potential in thin film photovoltaics/flexible devices. In Part 3 sulfur- and selenides-based materials for thermoelectric applications are explored. Part 4 covers chalcogenide semiconductors with applications in electrochemical water splitting for green hydrogen generation and oxygen generation, as well as the latest research on layered 2D transition metal chalcogenides for electrochemical water splitting. To conclude, part 5 discusses recent developments of storage technologies such as Li-S batteries, sulfide-based supercapacitors and metal-ion batteries, and the development of 3D printing sulfides/selenides for energy conversion and storage. This book is a useful resource for those involved in green energy technology and decarbonization and is designed for a broad audience, from students to experienced scientists. Discusses the emerging sulfide/selenide based thin film absorber materials and their deposition methods Previews device engineering techniques that have been developed to enhance the power conversion efficiency and lifetime of sulfide/selenide based thin film solar cells Provides an update on what low cost sulfide/selenide based electro-catalysts have become available and the comparison of their performance vs. noble metal catalysts

Chemical Solution Deposition Of Semiconductor Films
Chemical Solution Deposition Of Semiconductor Films

Author: Gary Hodes

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2002-10-08

Total Pages: 400

ISBN-13: 9780203909096

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Discussing specific depositions of a wide range of semiconductors and properties of the resulting films, Chemical Solution Deposition of Semiconductor Films examines the processes involved and explains the effect of various process parameters on final film and film deposition outcomes through the use of detailed examples. Supplying experimental res

The Self-Potential Method
The Self-Potential Method

Author: André Revil

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2013-07-11

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 1107244714

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The self-potential method enables non-intrusive assessment and imaging of disturbances in electrical currents of conductive subsurface materials. It has an increasing number of applications, from mapping fluid flow in the subsurface of the Earth to detecting preferential flow paths in earth dams and embankments. This book provides the first full overview of the fundamental concepts of this method and its applications in the field. It discusses the historical perspective, laboratory investigations undertaken, the inverse problem and seismoelectric coupling, and concludes with the application of the self-potential method to geohazards, water resources and hydrothermal systems. Chapter exercises, online datasets and analytical software enable the reader to put the theory into practice. This book is a key reference for academic researchers and professionals working in the areas of geophysics, environmental science, hydrology and geotechnical engineering. It will also be valuable reading for related graduate courses.

Nanostructured Energy Devices
Nanostructured Energy Devices

Author: Juan Bisquert

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2014-11-11

Total Pages: 356

ISBN-13: 1439836027

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Due to the pressing needs of society, low cost materials for energy devices have experienced an outstanding development in recent times. In this highly multidisciplinary area, chemistry, material science, physics, and electrochemistry meet to develop new materials and devices that perform required energy conversion and storage processes with high efficiency, adequate capabilities for required applications, and low production cost. Nanostructured Energy Devices: Equilibrium Concepts and Kinetics introduces the main physicochemical principles that govern the operation of energy devices. It includes coverage of the physical principles that control energy devices made of nanostructured and bulk materials, with the main attention focused on solution processed thin film technologies. The book analyzes the fundamental concepts, main properties, and key applications of energy devices that are made using nanostructured materials and innovative thin film low cost technologies. This includes hybrid and organic solar cells, electrochemical batteries, diodes, LEDs and OLEDs, transistors, and the direct conversion of solar radiation to chemical fuels. It decodes rigorous formulation of thermodynamic concepts to establish energy diagrams, and explains also the fundamental kinetic models that determine the flow of electrons and ions in the device. The author lays out the main properties of semiconductors and their junctions for applications in solar cell and solar fuel devices. He emphasizes a unified view of the device operation principles that covers well-known examples but also enables you to discuss original research topics on a solid ground. Although a challenging field of science and technology, energy devices such as solar cells and batteries have the potential to impact the creation of a carbon-free energy economy. However, the field draws scientists from a broad set of backgrounds, united towards common goals. This text presents the main concepts that apply to several types of devices, from a very basic level so that you can gain insight into the general view of principles of operation of the energy devices. It pulls together the views and terminologies used by several communities to create better communication and increased collaboration among them.

Functional Materials for Sustainable Energy Applications
Functional Materials for Sustainable Energy Applications

Author: J A Kilner

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2012-09-28

Total Pages: 715

ISBN-13: 0857096370

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Global demand for low cost, efficient and sustainable energy production is ever increasing. Driven by recent discoveries and innovation in the science and technology of materials, applications based on functional materials are becoming increasingly important. Functional materials for sustainable energy applications provides an essential guide to the development and application of these materials in sustainable energy production. Part one reviews functional materials for solar power, including silicon-based, thin-film, and dye sensitized photovoltaic solar cells, thermophotovoltaic device modelling and photoelectrochemical cells. Part two focuses on functional materials for hydrogen production and storage. Functional materials for fuel cells are then explored in part three where developments in membranes, catalysts and membrane electrode assemblies for polymer electrolyte and direct methanol fuel cells are discussed, alongside electrolytes and ion conductors, novel cathodes, anodes, thin films and proton conductors for solid oxide fuel cells. Part four considers functional materials for demand reduction and energy storage, before the book concludes in part five with an investigation into computer simulation studies of functional materials. With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Functional materials for sustainable energy applications is an indispensable tool for anyone involved in the research, development, manufacture and application of materials for sustainable energy production, including materials engineers, scientists and academics in the rapidly developing, interdisciplinary field of sustainable energy. An essential guide to the development and application of functional materials in sustainable energy production Reviews functional materials for solar power Focuses on functional materials for hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, demand reduction and energy storage

Nanocasting
Nanocasting

Author: An-Hui Lu

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 279

ISBN-13: 0854041885

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Nanostructured materials with tailored properties are regarded as a fundamental element in the development of future science and technology. Research is still ongoing into the nanosized construction elements required to create functional solids. The recently developed technique, nanocasting, has great advantage over others in terms of the synthesis of special nanostructured materials by the careful choice of suitable elements and nanoengineering steps. This new book summarizes the recent developments in nanocasting, including the principles of nanocasting, syntheses of novel nanostructured materials, characterization methods, detailed synthetic recipes and further possible development in this area. The book focuses on the synthesis of porous solids from the viewpoint of methodology and introduces the science of nanocasting from fundamental principles to their use in synthesis of various materials. It starts by outlining the principles of nanocasting, requirements to the templates and precursors and the tools needed to probe matter at the nanoscale level. It describes how to synthesize nano structured porous solids with defined characteristics and finally discusses the functionalization and application of porous solids. Special attention is given to new developments in this field and future perspectives. A useful appendix covering the detailed synthetic recipes of various templates including porous silica, porous carbon and colloidal spheres is included which will be invaluable to researchers wanting to follow and reproduce nanocast materials. Topics covered in the book include: * inorganic chemistry * organic chemistry * solution chemistry * sol-gel and interface science * acid-base equilibria * electrochemistry * biochemistry * confined synthesis The book gives readers not only an overview of nanocasting technology, but also sufficient information and knowledge for those wanting to prepare various nanostructured materials without needing to search the available literature.

Characterization of Minerals, Metals, and Materials 2020
Characterization of Minerals, Metals, and Materials 2020

Author: Jian Li

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-01-23

Total Pages: 723

ISBN-13: 3030366286

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This collection gives broad and up-to-date results in the research and development of materials characterization and processing. Topics covered include advanced characterization methods, minerals, mechanical properties, coatings, polymers and composites, corrosion, welding, magnetic materials, and electronic materials. The book explores scientific processes to characterize materials using modern technologies, and focuses on the interrelationships and interdependence among processing, structure, properties, and performance of materials.

Physics and Technology of Amorphous-Crystalline Heterostructure Silicon Solar Cells
Physics and Technology of Amorphous-Crystalline Heterostructure Silicon Solar Cells

Author: Wilfried G. J. H. M. van Sark

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2011-11-16

Total Pages: 588

ISBN-13: 3642222757

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Today’s solar cell multi-GW market is dominated by crystalline silicon (c-Si) wafer technology, however new cell concepts are entering the market. One very promising solar cell design to answer these needs is the silicon hetero-junction solar cell, of which the emitter and back surface field are basically produced by a low temperature growth of ultra-thin layers of amorphous silicon. In this design, amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) constitutes both „emitter“ and „base-contact/back surface field“ on both sides of a thin crystalline silicon wafer-base (c-Si) where the electrons and holes are photogenerated; at the same time, a-Si:H passivates the c-Si surface. Recently, cell efficiencies above 23% have been demonstrated for such solar cells. In this book, the editors present an overview of the state-of-the-art in physics and technology of amorphous-crystalline heterostructure silicon solar cells. The heterojunction concept is introduced, processes and resulting properties of the materials used in the cell and their heterointerfaces are discussed and characterization techniques and simulation tools are presented.

Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide-Based Thin-Film Solar Cells
Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide-Based Thin-Film Solar Cells

Author: Kentaro Ito

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2014-12-11

Total Pages: 449

ISBN-13: 1118437853

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Beginning with an overview and historical background of Copper Zinc Tin Sulphide (CZTS) technology, subsequent chapters cover properties of CZTS thin films, different preparation methods of CZTS thin films, a comparative study of CZTS and CIGS solar cell, computational approach, and future applications of CZTS thin film solar modules to both ground-mount and rooftop installation. The semiconducting compound (CZTS) is made up earth-abundant, low-cost and non-toxic elements, which make it an ideal candidate to replace Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) and CdTe solar cells which face material scarcity and toxicity issues. The device performance of CZTS-based thin film solar cells has been steadily improving over the past 20 years, and they have now reached near commercial efficiency levels (10%). These achievements prove that CZTS-based solar cells have the potential to be used for large-scale deployment of photovoltaics. With contributions from leading researchers from academia and industry, many of these authors have contributed to the improvement of its efficiency, and have rich experience in preparing a variety of semiconducting thin films for solar cells.