Comparative analysis of anti-reflection coatings on solar PV cells through TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajkamal Sivakumar ◽  
Prabhakaran Gopalakrishnan ◽  
Mohamed Sikkander Abdul Razak
Keyword(s):  
Refractive Index ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Photon Absorption ◽  
Visible Range ◽  
Bandgap Energy ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Electron Hole ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy

Purpose Photon absorbance and reflectance are the most important parameters for the recombination of electron-hole pairs. Bandgap energy plays a vital role in photon absorption. That is, the photons with energy greater than band gap energy are absorbed. Also, the refractive index of semiconductors is responsible for photon reflection, as the surface with the highest refractive index will reflect more photons than a surface with have a low refractive index. The purpose of this paper is to improvise the absorbance and reduce the reflectance of photons on the front surface of solar cells. Design/methodology/approach Photon reflection is results in reduction in electron-hole pair generation due to the high refractive index of semiconductive materials. To overcome this problem, an Anti-reflection (AR) coating of TiO2 and SiO2 is undertaken on solar cells through the Sol-spin coating method. Finally, the effectiveness of the Anti-Reflection coating is scrutinized through UV Vis-Spectroscopy, which provides details regarding reflectance, absorbance and bandgap energy characteristics. Findings UV–visible spectroscopy was used to measure the responses from the samples. The samples responded to the ultraviolet and visible range of electromagnetic radiation perfectly. UV spectroscopy was done before and after the antireflection coating of TiO2 and SiO2 over the solar cell to find their corresponding extreme reflectance and absorbance values. The effects of TiO2 and SiO2 were evaluated from the results. Originality/value In this research work, the authors have done anti-reflection coating over solar cells with nanoparticles derived from sol-gel process. Absorbance of photons observed through diffuse reflection method.

scholarly journals A Review Paper on Advancements in Solar PV Technology, Environmental Impact of PV Cell Manufacturing

2021 ◽  
pp. 485-492
Author(s):  
V. Raja Sekhar ◽  
P. Pradeep
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Good Market ◽  
Cost Of Materials ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Photovoltaic Technologies

Technological advancement, reduction in the cost of materials, and Government support for sustainable development help improvement in solar PV technology in recent years. Photovoltaic technology is majorly employed to generated electricity worldwide in the renewable energy category. To establish a good market base for Solar PV the efficiency of solar cells plays a significant role. Presently, extensive research work is going for efficiency improvement of solar cells for commercial use. The efficiency of monocrystalline silicon solar cells has shown very good improvement year by year. It starts with only 15% in the 1950s and then increases to 17% in the 1970s and continuously increases up to 28% nowadays. The growth in solar photovoltaic technologies including worldwide status, materials for solar cells, efficiency, factor affecting the performance of PV modules, an overview of a cost analysis of PV, and its environmental impact are reviewed in this paper.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on a Natural Low Cost Halochromic Sensitizer

2011 ◽  
Vol 1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael I. Ibrahim ◽  
Maria J. Bassil ◽  
Umit B. Demirci ◽  
Georges El Haj Moussa ◽  
Mario R. El Tahchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Titanium Dioxide ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Ph Effect ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Visible Range ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

ABSTRACTSince their re-introduction as new generation solar cells in 1991, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been studied extensively to improve their efficiency and their stability. Few papers have reported the usage of natural dyes in the fabrication of DSSCs. We are most interested in these dyes being easy to extract, low cost and with tunable absorption. For example, Anthocyanin is extracted from red cabbage and is present in a multitude of colors ranging from red to yellow to violet according to the pH. In this study, two industrial types of titanium dioxide powders, the Degussa P 25 and the Crystal 128 with different particle sizes 21 and 200 nm respectively, were used to prepare DSSCs. The dye used is anthocyanin and its color is varied by varying the pH of the medium. The pH effect on the light absorption of anthocyanin in the visible range and the optical properties of titanium dioxide dyed with anthocyanin and coumarin 102 are investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The open-circuit voltage of all the samples is tested and it if found out that it is dependant on the dye color.

Atomic layer deposition of TiO2 blocking layers for dye-sensitized solar cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-93
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Drygała ◽  
Marek Szindler ◽  
Magdalena Szindler ◽  
Ewa Jonda
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Atomic Layer Deposition ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Atomic Layer ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Layer Deposition ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) which present promising low-cost alternative to the conventional silicon solar cells mainly due to comparatively low manufacturing cost, ease of fabrication and relatively good efficiency. One of the undesirable factor in DSSCs is the electron recombination process that takes place at the transparent conductive oxide/electrolyte interface, on the side of photoelectrode. To reduce this effect in the structure of the solar cell, a TiO2 blocking layer (BL) by atomic layer deposition (ALD) was deposited. Design/methodology/approach Scanning electron microscope, Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to evaluate the influence of BL on the photovoltaic properties. Electrical parameters of manufactured DSSCs with and without BL were characterized by measurements of current-voltage characteristics under standard AM 1.5 radiation. Findings The TiO2 BL prevents the physical contact of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and the electrolyte and leads to increase in the cell’s overall efficiency, from 5.15 to 6.18%. Higher density of the BL, together with larger contact area and improved adherence between the TiO2 layer and FTO surface provide more electron pathways from TiO2 to FTO which facilitates electron transfer. Originality/value This paper demonstrates that the introduction of a BL into the photovoltaic device structure is an important step in technology of DSSCs to improve its efficiency. Moreover, the ALD is a powerful technique which allows for the highly reproducible growth of pinhole-free thin films with excellent thickness accuracy and conformality at low temperature.

Solar Cells Based on Quantum Dots: Multiple Exciton Generation and Intermediate Bands

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 236-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Luque ◽  
Antonio Martí ◽  
Arthur J. Nozik
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Quantum Dot ◽  
Single Photon ◽  
Quantum Yields ◽  
Bandgap Energy ◽  
Hot Electron ◽  
Electron Hole ◽  
Multiple Exciton Generation ◽  
Intermediate Band

AbstractSemiconductor quantum dots may be used in so-called third-generation solar cells that have the potential to greatly increase the photon conversion efficiency via two effects: (1) the production of multiple excitons from a single photon of sufficient energy and (2) the formation of intermediate bands in the bandgap that use sub-bandgap photons to form separable electron–hole pairs. This is possible because quantization of energy levels in quantum dots produces the following effects: enhanced Auger processes and Coulomb coupling between charge carriers; elimination of the requirement to conserve crystal momentum; slowed hot electron–hole pair (exciton) cooling; multiple exciton generation; and formation of minibands (delocalized electronic states) in quantum dot arrays. For exciton multiplication, very high quantum yields of 300–700% for exciton formation in PbSe, PbS, PbTe, and CdSe quantum dots have been reported at photon energies about 4–8 times the HOMO–LUMO transition energy (quantum dot bandgap), respectively, indicating the formation of 3–7 excitons/photon, depending upon the photon energy. For intermediate-band solar cells, quantum dots are used to create the intermediate bands from the con fined electron states in the conduction band. By means of the intermediate band, it is possible to absorb below-bandgap energy photons. This is predicted to produce solar cells with enhanced photocurrent without voltage degradation.

Efficiency Improvement of Three-Junction Photovoltaic Cell Based on Gallium-Phosphide-Oxide, Indium-Gallium-Arsenide and Indium-Gallium-Antimonide

2012 ◽  
Vol 463-464 ◽  
pp. 850-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mir Abdulla-Al-Galib ◽  
K. M. A. Salam ◽  
Mohammad A. Awal ◽  
Kazi Abu Sayeed
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Gallium Phosphide ◽  
Gallium Antimonide ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Photovoltaic Cell ◽  
Photon Absorption ◽  
Dramatic Improvement ◽  
Reflective Coating ◽  
High Efficient ◽  
Indium Gallium

In this research paper we present a new high efficient three-junction photovoltaic cell with anti-reflective coating. The aim of our research work is to improve the photon absorption and reduce the photon reflection as well as the trasmission. The use of anti-reflective coating (ARC), Gallium-Phosphide-Oxide on the photovoltaic cell based on InGaAs/InGaSb has increased the photon absorption significantly. In this work we have analyzed the photon absorption, photon reflection and photon transmission of existing high efficient solar cells. Real Time Photonics Simulator has been used to simulate the performance of the solar cells. The simulation results show that with the inclusion of Gallium-Phosphide-Oxide on the multi-junction photovoltaic cell the photon absorption increases significantly. Our three-junction photovoltaic cell based on GaPO/In0.53Ga0.47As/In0.5Ga0.5Sb shows dramatic improvement of photon absorption in the range of 479nm – 767nm wavelength of the solar spectrum. With the addition of GaPO in place of GaP we see a tremendous increase of photon absorption, which significantly increases the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell

Modification of optical properties of PC-PBT/Cr2O3 and PC-PBT/CdS nanocomposites by gamma irradiation

2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 20402
Author(s):  
Kaoutar Benthami ◽  
Mai ME. Barakat ◽  
Samir A. Nouh
Keyword(s):  
Refractive Index ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Band Gap ◽  
Color Difference ◽  
Band Gap Energy ◽  
Polybutylene Terephthalate ◽  
Γ Irradiation ◽  
Gap Energy ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Oxygen Atoms

Nanocomposite (NCP) films of polycarbonate-polybutylene terephthalate (PC-PBT) blend as a host material to Cr2O3 and CdS nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated by both thermolysis and casting techniques. Samples from the PC-PBT/Cr2O3 and PC-PBT/CdS NCPs were irradiated using different doses (20–110 kGy) of γ radiation. The induced modifications in the optical properties of the γ irradiated NCPs have been studied as a function of γ dose using UV Vis spectroscopy and CIE color difference method. Optical dielectric loss and Tauc's model were used to estimate the optical band gaps of the NCP films and to identify the types of electronic transition. The value of optical band gap energy of PC-PBT/Cr2O3 NCP was reduced from 3.23 to 3.06 upon γ irradiation up to 110 kGy, while it decreased from 4.26 to 4.14 eV for PC-PBT/CdS NCP, indicating the growth of disordered phase in both NCPs. This was accompanied by a rise in the refractive index for both the PC-PBT/Cr2O3 and PC-PBT/CdS NCP films, leading to an enhancement in their isotropic nature. The Cr2O3 NPs were found to be more effective in changing the band gap energy and refractive index due to the presence of excess oxygen atoms that help with the oxygen atoms of the carbonyl group in increasing the chance of covalent bonds formation between the NPs and the PC-PBT blend. Moreover, the color intensity, ΔE has been computed; results show that both the two synthesized NCPs have a response to color alteration by γ irradiation, but the PC-PBT/Cr2O3 has a more response since the values of ΔE achieved a significant color difference >5 which is an acceptable match in commercial reproduction on printing presses. According to the resulting enhancement in the optical characteristics of the developed NCPs, they can be a suitable candidate as activate materials in optoelectronic devices, or shielding sheets for solar cells.

scholarly journals Synthesis of PVA/CeO2 Based Nanocomposites with Tuned Refractive Index and Reduced Absorption Edge: Structural and Optical Studies

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1570
Author(s):  
Shujahadeen B. Aziz ◽  
Elham M. A. Dannoun ◽  
Dana A. Tahir ◽  
Sarkawt A. Hussen ◽  
Rebar T. Abdulwahid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Refractive Index ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Absorption Edge ◽  
Ceo2 Nanoparticles ◽  
Poly Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Optical Parameters ◽  
Single Oscillator Model ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Host Polymer

In the current study, polymer nanocomposites (NCPs) based on poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with altered refractive index and absorption edge were synthesized by means of a solution cast technique. The characterization techniques of UV–Vis spectroscopy and XRD were used to inspect the structural and optical properties of the prepared films. The XRD patterns of the doped samples have shown clear amendments in the structural properties of the PVA host polymer. Various optical parameters were studied to get more insights about the influence of CeO2 on optical properties of PVA. On the insertion of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) into the PVA matrix, the absorption edge was found to move to reduced photon energy sides. It was concluded that the CeO2 nanoparticles can be used to tune the refractive index (n) of the host polymer, and it reached up to 1.93 for 7 wt.% of CeO2 content. A detailed study of the bandgap (BG) was conducted using two approaches. The outcomes have confirmed the impact of the nanofiller on the BG reduction of the host polymer. The results of the optical BG study highlighted that it is crucial to address the ɛ” parameter during the BG analysis, and it is considered as a useful tool to specify the type of electronic transitions. Finally, the dispersion region of n is conferred in terms of the Wemple–DiDomenico single oscillator model.

scholarly journals Polymer Composites with 0.98 Transparencies and Small Optical Energy Band Gap Using a Promising Green Methodology: Structural and Optical Properties

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1648
Author(s):  
Muaffaq M. Nofal ◽  
Shujahadeen B. Aziz ◽  
Jihad M. Hadi ◽  
Wrya O. Karim ◽  
Elham M. A. Dannoun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Refractive Index ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Polymer Composites ◽  
Amorphous Phase ◽  
Absorption Edge ◽  
Complex Form ◽  
Bandgap Energy ◽  
Optical Parameters ◽  
Visible Spectroscopy ◽  
Uv Visible

In this work, a green approach was implemented to prepare polymer composites using polyvinyl alcohol polymer and the extract of black tea leaves (polyphenols) in a complex form with Co2+ ions. A range of techniques was used to characterize the Co2+ complex and polymer composite, such as Ultraviolet–visible (UV-Visible) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The optical parameters of absorption edge, refractive index (n), dielectric properties including real and imaginary parts (εr, and εi) were also investigated. The FRIR and XRD spectra were used to examine the compatibility between the PVA polymer and Co2+-polyphenol complex. The extent of interaction was evidenced from the shifts and change in the intensity of the peaks. The relatively wide amorphous phase in PVA polymer increased upon insertion of the Co2+-polyphenol complex. The amorphous character of the Co2+ complex was emphasized with the appearance of a hump in the XRD pattern. From UV-Visible spectroscopy, the optical properties, such as absorption edge, refractive index (n), (εr), (εi), and bandgap energy (Eg) of parent PVA and composite films were specified. The Eg of PVA was lowered from 5.8 to 1.82 eV upon addition of 45 mL of Co2+-polyphenol complex. The N/m* was calculated from the optical dielectric function. Ultimately, various types of electronic transitions within the polymer composites were specified using Tauc’s method. The direct bandgap (DBG) treatment of polymer composites with a developed amorphous phase is fundamental for commercialization in optoelectronic devices.

scholarly journals Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cell: Photoanodes, Counter Electrodes, and Electrolytes

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2638
Author(s):  
Nguyen Thi Kim Chung ◽  
Phat Tan Nguyen ◽  
Ha Thanh Tung ◽  
Dang Huu Phuc
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Quantum Dot ◽  
Photon Absorption ◽  
Dye Molecules ◽  
Charge Generation ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Efficiency Performance ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

In this study, we provide the reader with an overview of quantum dot application in solar cells to replace dye molecules, where the quantum dots play a key role in photon absorption and excited charge generation in the device. The brief shows the types of quantum dot sensitized solar cells and presents the obtained results of them for each type of cell, and provides the advantages and disadvantages. Lastly, methods are proposed to improve the efficiency performance in the next researching.

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