Thin Film Solar Cells From Earth Abundant Materials
Thin Film Solar Cells From Earth Abundant Materials

Author: Subba Ramaiah Kodigala

Publisher: Newnes

Published: 2013-11-14

Total Pages: 197

ISBN-13: 0123971829

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The fundamental concept of the book is to explain how to make thin film solar cells from the abundant solar energy materials by low cost. The proper and optimized growth conditions are very essential while sandwiching thin films to make solar cell otherwise secondary phases play a role to undermine the working function of solar cells. The book illustrates growth and characterization of Cu2ZnSn(S1-xSex)4 thin film absorbers and their solar cells. The fabrication process of absorber layers by either vacuum or non-vacuum process is readily elaborated in the book, which helps for further development of cells. The characterization analyses such as XPS, XRD, SEM, AFM etc., lead to tailor the physical properties of the absorber layers to fit well for the solar cells. The role of secondary phases such as ZnS, Cu2-xS,SnS etc., which are determined by XPS, XRD or Raman, in the absorber layers is promptly discussed. The optical spectroscopy analysis, which finds band gap, optical constants of the films, is mentioned in the book. The electrical properties of the absorbers deal the influence of substrates, growth temperature, impurities, secondary phases etc. The low temperature I-V and C-V measurements of Cu2ZnSn(S1-xSex)4 thin film solar cells are clearly described. The solar cell parameters such as efficiency, fill factor, series resistance, parallel resistance provide handful information to understand the mechanism of physics of thin film solar cells in the book. The band structure, which supports to adjust interface states at the p-n junction of the solar cells is given. On the other hand the role of window layers with the solar cells is discussed. The simulation of theoretical efficiency of Cu2ZnSn(S1-xSex)4 thin film solar cells explains how much efficiency can be experimentally extracted from the cells. - One of the first books exploring how to conduct research on thin film solar cells, including reducing costs - Detailed instructions on conducting research

Thin Film Solar Cells
Thin Film Solar Cells

Author: Jef Poortmans

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2006-10-16

Total Pages: 504

ISBN-13: 0470091266

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Thin-film solar cells are either emerging or about to emerge from the research laboratory to become commercially available devices finding practical various applications. Currently no textbook outlining the basic theoretical background, methods of fabrication and applications currently exist. Thus, this book aims to present for the first time an in-depth overview of this topic covering a broad range of thin-film solar cell technologies including both organic and inorganic materials, presented in a systematic fashion, by the scientific leaders in the respective domains. It covers a broad range of related topics, from physical principles to design, fabrication, characterization, and applications of novel photovoltaic devices.

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 Functional Oxide Thin Films
Chemical Solution Deposition of Functional Oxide Thin Films

Author: Theodor Schneller

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2014-01-24

Total Pages: 801

ISBN-13: 3211993118

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This is the first text to cover all aspects of solution processed functional oxide thin-films. Chemical Solution Deposition (CSD) comprises all solution based thin- film deposition techniques, which involve chemical reactions of precursors during the formation of the oxide films, i. e. sol-gel type routes, metallo-organic decomposition routes, hybrid routes, etc. While the development of sol-gel type processes for optical coatings on glass by silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide dates from the mid-20th century, the first CSD derived electronic oxide thin films, such as lead zirconate titanate, were prepared in the 1980’s. Since then CSD has emerged as a highly flexible and cost-effective technique for the fabrication of a very wide variety of functional oxide thin films. Application areas include, for example, integrated dielectric capacitors, ferroelectric random access memories, pyroelectric infrared detectors, piezoelectric micro-electromechanical systems, antireflective coatings, optical filters, conducting-, transparent conducting-, and superconducting layers, luminescent coatings, gas sensors, thin film solid-oxide fuel cells, and photoelectrocatalytic solar cells. In the appendix detailed “cooking recipes” for selected material systems are offered.

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.

Solar Cells and Modules
Solar Cells and Modules

Author: Arvind Shah

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-07-16

Total Pages: 357

ISBN-13: 3030464873

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This book gives a comprehensive introduction to the field of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and modules. In thirteen chapters, it addresses a wide range of topics including the spectrum of light received by PV devices, the basic functioning of a solar cell, and the physical factors limiting the efficiency of solar cells. It places particular emphasis on crystalline silicon solar cells and modules, which constitute today more than 90 % of all modules sold worldwide. Describing in great detail both the manufacturing process and resulting module performance, the book also touches on the newest developments in this sector, such as Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCON) and heterojunction modules, while dedicating a major chapter to general questions of module design and fabrication. Overall, it presents the essential theoretical and practical concepts of PV solar cells and modules in an easy-to-understand manner and discusses current challenges facing the global research and development community.

Functional Supramolecular Nanoassemblies of Π-Conjugated Molecules
Functional Supramolecular Nanoassemblies of Π-Conjugated Molecules

Author: Penglei Chen

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Published: 2020-01-13

Total Pages: 159

ISBN-13: 2889633608

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Π-conjugated systems of delocalized aromatic electrons along their backbones, including conjugated small molecules, oligomers, polymers, and carbonaceous materials, etc., have received considerable attention from a wide variety of scientific and technical communities. Compared to inorganic materials, the advantages of those based on π-tectons lie in their broad diversity, flexibility, and tunability with regard to structure/geometry/morphology, processability, composition, functionality, electronic/band structure, etc. In terms of sophisticated molecular engineering, these features endow them not only with excellent self-assembly properties but also with unique optical, electrical, mechanical, photophysical, photochemical, and biochemical attributes. This renders them promising scaffolds for advanced functional materials (AFMs) in numerous areas of general interest such as electronics, optics, optoelectronics, photovoltaics, magnetic and piezoelectric devices, sensors, catalysts, biomedicines, and others. With regard to the design/synthesis of novel π-tectons, the launch of diverse assembly/fabrication protocols, theoretical calculations, etc., the past several decades have witnessed tremendous advancements along this direction. Thus far, a vast array of high-performance π-tectons-based AFMs have been initiated. To some extent, the cooperative principle of π-πstacking and other noncovalent interactions has been revealed, and the structure-property relationships have been disclosed. Despite the existing progress, this field still faces challenges, for example: (i) the need for scalable assembly/manufacture under ambient conditions—with low-cost, facile, environmentally-friendly protocols (ii) clearer correlations bridging the underlying intricate relationships of each successive step in assembly/manufacture (iii) corresponding theoretical calculations for guiding the rational design of π-tectons that elucidate the cooperative principle of π-π stacking and other noncovalent interactions, as well as the principle of structure-performance correlation (iv) stability and durability, among the most important concerns regarding their commercialization The advancements accumulated during the past decades have established a solid foundation for the further development of π-conjugated systems-based AFMs. We believe that with unrelenting efforts from both scientific and technical communities of various backgrounds, their practical applications will eventually be fulfilled. This Research Topic aims to address the above-mentioned challenges

Solution Processing of Inorganic Materials
Solution Processing of Inorganic Materials

Author: David Mitzi

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2008-12-22

Total Pages: 522

ISBN-13: 0470407611

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Discover the materials set to revolutionize the electronics industry The search for electronic materials that can be cheaply solution-processed into films, while simultaneously providing quality device characteristics, represents a major challenge for materials scientists. Continuous semiconducting thin films with large carrier mobilities are particularly desirable for high-speed microelectronic applications, potentially providing new opportunities for the development of low-cost, large-area, flexible computing devices, displays, sensors, and solar cells. To date, the majority of solution-processing research has focused on molecular and polymeric organic films. In contrast, this book reviews recent achievements in the search for solution-processed inorganic semiconductors and other critical electronic components. These components offer the potential for better performance and more robust thermal and mechanical stability than comparable organic-based systems. Solution Processing of Inorganic Materials covers everything from the more traditional fields of sol-gel processing and chemical bath deposition to the cutting-edge use of nanomaterials in thin-film deposition. In particular, the book focuses on materials and techniques that are compatible with high-throughput, low-cost, and low-temperature deposition processes such as spin coating, dip coating, printing, and stamping. Throughout the text, illustrations and examples of applications are provided to help the reader fully appreciate the concepts and opportunities involved in this exciting field. In addition to presenting the state-of-the-art research, the book offers extensive background material. As a result, any researcher involved or interested in electronic device fabrication can turn to this book to become fully versed in the solution-processed inorganic materials that are set to revolutionize the electronics industry.