Black silicon: fabrication methods, properties and solar energy applications

This review starts with a brief overview of the technological potential of molecular-based solar cell technologies. It then goes on to focus on the core scientific challenge associated with using molecular light-absorbing materials for solar energy conversion, namely the separation of short-lived, molecular-excited states into sufficiently long-lived, energetic, separated charges capable of generating an external photocurrent. Comparisons are made between different molecular-based solar cell technologies, with particular focus on the function of dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical solar cells as well as parallels with the function of photosynthetic reaction centres. The core theme of this review is that generating charge carriers with sufficient lifetime and a high quantum yield from molecular-excited states comes at a significant energetic cost—such that the energy stored in these charge-separated states is typically substantially less than the energy of the initially generated excited state. The role of this energetic loss in limiting the efficiency of solar energy conversion by such devices is emphasized, and strategies to minimize this energy loss are compared and contrasted.

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Photonic nanostructures for solar energy conversion

Energy & Environmental Science ◽

10.1039/c6ee01182a ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 2511-2532 ◽

Cited By ~ 83

Author(s):

Xiuzhen Zheng ◽

Liwu Zhang

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Energy Conversion ◽

Recent Progress ◽

Solar Energy Conversion ◽

Review Article ◽

Comprehensive Review

This review article provides a comprehensive review of recent progress in photonic nanostructures for efficient solar energy conversion.

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Energy and exergy analyses of various typical solar energy applications: A comprehensive review

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews ◽

10.1016/j.rser.2017.07.003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 82 ◽

pp. 1576-1601 ◽

Cited By ~ 81

Author(s):

Sunil Kumar Sansaniwal ◽

Vashimant Sharma ◽

Jyotirmay Mathur

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Comprehensive Review ◽

Energy Applications ◽

Energy And Exergy ◽

Exergy Analyses

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Cost Effective Synthesis and Fabrication of Phase-Pure Kesterite Cu2-xZn1.3SnS4 P-type Absorber Layer Thin Films by Solvent Based Process Technique for Photovoltaic Solar Energy Applications

International Journal of Emerging Research in Management and Technology ◽

10.23956/ijermt.v7i4.5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 36

Author(s):

B. Khadambari ◽

S. S. Bhattacharya

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Absorber Layer ◽

Window Layer ◽

Energy Applications ◽

Process Technique ◽

Absorber Material ◽

Effective Synthesis ◽

P Type

Solar has become one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources. With the push towards sustainability it is an excellent solution to resolve the issue of our diminishing finite resources. Alternative photovoltaic systems are of much importance to utilize solar energy efficiently. The Cu-chalcopyrite compounds CuInS2 and CuInSe2 and their alloys provide absorber material of high absorption coefficients of the order of 105 cm-1. Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is more promising material for photovoltaic applications as Zn and Sn are abundant materials of earth’s crust. Further, the preparation of CZTS-ink facilitates the production of flexible solar cells. The device can be designed with Al doped ZnO as the front contact, n-type window layer (e.g. intrinsic ZnO); an n-type thin film buffer layer (e.g. CdS) and a p-type CZTS absorber layer with Molybdenum (Mo) substrate as back contact. In this study, CZTS films were synthesized by a non-vaccum solvent based process technique from a molecular-ink using a non toxic eco-friendly solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The deposited CZTS films were optimized and characterized by XRD, UV-visible spectroscopy and SEM.

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Current Commentary Recent Developments in Solar Energy Applications based on Perovskites: A Current Commentary

Science Progress ◽

10.3184/003685016x14722014911261 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 99 (3) ◽

pp. 335-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christopher J. Rhodes

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Energy Applications ◽

Recent Developments ◽

A Current

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Advanced selection materials in solar cell efficiency and their properties - A comprehensive review

Materials Today Proceedings ◽

10.1016/j.matpr.2021.03.427 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ibrahim M. Alarifi

Keyword(s):

Solar Cell ◽

Comprehensive Review ◽

Solar Cell Efficiency ◽

Cell Efficiency

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Use of biodegradable colloids and carbon black nanofluids for solar energy applications

AIP Advances ◽

10.1063/5.0053258 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 055214

Author(s):

A. Kosinska ◽

B. V. Balakin ◽

P. Kosinski

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Carbon Black ◽

Energy Applications

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Women in the Singlet Fission World: Pearls in a Semi-Open Shell

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26102922 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (10) ◽

pp. 2922

Author(s):

Joanna Stoycheva ◽

Julia Romanova ◽

Alia Tadjer

Keyword(s):

Solar Cell ◽

Focal Point ◽

Open Shell ◽

Generation Process ◽

Singlet Fission ◽

Software Developers ◽

Multiple Exciton Generation ◽

Cell Technologies ◽

The Subject

Singlet fission, a multiple exciton generation process, can revolutionize existing solar cell technologies. Offering the possibility to double photocurrent, the process has become a focal point for physicists, chemists, software developers, and engineers. The following review is dedicated to the female investigators, predominantly theorists, who have contributed to the field of singlet fission. We highlight their most significant advances in the subject, from deciphering the mechanism of the process to designing coveted singlet fission materials.

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