scholarly journals GaAs Nanowires Grown by Catalyst Epitaxy for High Performance Photovoltaics

Crystals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Wang ◽  
Xinyuan Zhou ◽  
Zaixing Yang ◽  
Fengyun Wang ◽  
Ning Han ◽  
...  

Photovoltaics (PVs) based on nanostructured III/V semiconductors can potentially reduce the material usage and increase the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency, which are anticipated to make a significant impact on the next-generation solar cells. In particular, GaAs nanowire (NW) is one of the most promising III/V nanomaterials for PVs due to its ideal bandgap and excellent light absorption efficiency. In order to achieve large-scale practical PV applications, further controllability in the NW growth and device fabrication is still needed for the efficiency improvement. This article reviews the recent development in GaAs NW-based PVs with an emphasis on cost-effectively synthesis of GaAs NWs, device design and corresponding performance measurement. We first discuss the available manipulated growth methods of GaAs NWs, such as the catalytic vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) and vapor-solid-solid (VSS) epitaxial growth, followed by the catalyst-controlled engineering process, and typical crystal structure and orientation of resulted NWs. The structure-property relationships are also discussed for achieving the optimal PV performance. At the same time, important device issues are as well summarized, including the light absorption, tunnel junctions and contact configuration. Towards the end, we survey the reported performance data and make some remarks on the challenges for current nanostructured PVs. These results not only lay the ground to considerably achieve the higher efficiencies in GaAs NW-based PVs but also open up great opportunities for the future low-cost smart solar energy harvesting devices.

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Baohua Jia

AbstractLight management plays an important role in high-performance solar cells. Nanostructures that could effectively trap light offer great potential in improving the conversion efficiency of solar cells with much reduced material usage. Developing low-cost and large-scale nanostructures integratable with solar cells, thus, promises new solutions for high efficiency and low-cost solar energy harvesting. In this paper, we review the exciting progress in this field, in particular, in the market, dominating silicon solar cells and pointing out challenges and future trends.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-123
Author(s):  
Tsung-Ching Huang ◽  
Ting Lei ◽  
Leilai Shao ◽  
Sridhar Sivapurapu ◽  
Madhavan Swaminathan ◽  
...  

Abstract High-performance low-cost flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) are desirable for applications such as internet of things and wearable electronics. Carbon nanotube (CNT) thin-film transistor (TFT) is a promising candidate for high-performance FHE because of its high carrier mobility, superior mechanical flexibility, and material compatibility with low-cost printing and solution processes. Flexible sensors and peripheral CNT-TFT circuits, such as decoders, drivers, and sense amplifiers, can be printed and hybrid-integrated with thinned (<50 μm) silicon chips on soft, thin, and flexible substrates for a wide range of applications, from flexible displays to wearable medical devices. Here, we report (1) a process design kit (PDK) to enable FHE design automation for large-scale FHE circuits and (2) solution process-proven intellectual property blocks for TFT circuits design, including Pseudo-Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (Pseudo-CMOS) flexible digital logic and analog amplifiers. The FHE-PDK is fully compatible with popular silicon design tools for design and simulation of hybrid-integrated flexible circuits.


Nanoscale ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 9212-9217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanbin Luo ◽  
Xin Yan ◽  
Jinnan Zhang ◽  
Bang Li ◽  
Yao Wu ◽  
...  

A graphene/nanowire Schottky junction is a promising structure for low-cost high-performance optoelectronic devices.


Author(s):  
Guixiang Wang ◽  
Haitao Zou ◽  
Xiaobo Zhu ◽  
Mei Ding ◽  
Chuankun Jia

Abstract Zinc-based redox flow batteries (ZRFBs) have been considered as ones of the most promising large-scale energy storage technologies owing to their low cost, high safety, and environmental friendliness. However, their commercial application is still hindered by a few key problems. First, the hydrogen evolution and zinc dendrite formation cause poor cycling life, of which needs to ameliorated or overcome by finding suitable anolytes. Second, the stability and energy density of catholytes are unsatisfactory due to oxidation, corrosion, and low electrolyte concentration. Meanwhile, highly catalytic electrode materials remain to be explored and the ion selectivity and cost efficiency of membrane materials demands further improvement. In this review, we summarize different types of ZRFBs according to their electrolyte environments including ZRFBs using neutral, acidic, and alkaline electrolytes, then highlight the advances of key materials including electrode and membrane materials for ZRFBs, and finally discuss the challenges and perspectives for the future development of high-performance ZRFBs.


NANO ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (05) ◽  
pp. 2050062
Author(s):  
Zhaolei Meng ◽  
Xiaojian He ◽  
Song Han ◽  
Zijian Hu

Carbon materials are generally employed as supercapacitor electrodes due to their low- cost, high-chemical stability and environmental friendliness. However, the design of carbon structures with large surface area and controllable porous structure remains a daunt challenge. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) hybrid aerogel with different contents of MoS2 nanosheets in 3D graphene aerogel (MoS2-GA) was synthesized through a facial hydrothermal process. The influences of MoS2 content on microstructure and subsequently on electrochemical properties of MoS2-GA are systematically investigated and an optimized mass ratio with MoS2: GA of 1:2 is chosen to achieve high mechanical robustness and outstanding electrochemical performance in the hybrid structure. Due to the large specific surface area, porous structure and continuous charge transfer network, such MoS2-GA electrodes exhibit high specific capacitance, good rate capability and excellent cyclic stability, showing great potential in large-scale and low-cost fabrication of high-performance supercapacitors.


1989 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Schaper ◽  
D. Zenke ◽  
E. Schulz ◽  
R. Hirte ◽  
M. Taege

2018 ◽  
Vol 217 ◽  
pp. 291-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingyuan Zhao ◽  
Nian Jiang ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Jing Guo ◽  
Yanqiang Li ◽  
...  

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (23) ◽  
pp. 5558
Author(s):  
Dimitra Vernardou ◽  
Charalampos Drosos ◽  
Andreas Kafizas ◽  
Martyn E. Pemble ◽  
Emmanouel Koudoumas

The need for clean and efficient energy storage has become the center of attention due to the eminent global energy crisis and growing ecological concerns. A key component in this effort is the ultra-high performance battery, which will play a major role in the energy industry. To meet the demands in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, and large-scale energy storage systems, it is necessary to prepare advanced batteries with high safety, fast charge ratios, and discharge capabilities at a low cost. Cathode materials play a significant role in determining the performance of batteries. Among the possible electrode materials is vanadium pentoxide, which will be discussed in this review, due to its low cost and high theoretical capacity. Additionally, aqueous electrolytes, which are environmentally safe, provide an alternative approach compared to organic media for safe, cost-effective, and scalable energy storage. In this review, we will reveal the industrial potential of competitive methods to grow cathodes with excellent stability and enhanced electrochemical performance in aqueous media and lay the foundation for the large-scale production of electrode materials.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Reza Zanjanijam ◽  
Ian Major ◽  
John G. Lyons ◽  
Ugo Lafont ◽  
Declan M. Devine

Poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic polymer with potential for use in a variety of metal replacement applications due to its high strength to weight ratio. This combination of properties makes it an ideal material for use in the production of bespoke replacement parts for out-of-earth manufacturing purposes, in particular on the International Space Station (ISS). Additive manufacturing (AM) may be employed for the production of these parts, as it has enabled new fabrication pathways for articles with complex design considerations. However, AM of PEEK via fused filament fabrication (FFF) encounters significant challenges, mostly stemming from the semi crystalline nature of PEEK and its associated high melting temperature. This makes PEEK highly susceptible to changes in processing conditions which leads to a large reported variation in the literature on the final performance of PEEK. This has limited the adaption of FFF printing of PEEK in space applications where quality assurance and reproducibility are paramount. In recent years, several research studies have examined the effect of printing parameters on the performance of the 3D-printed PEEK parts. The aim of the current review is to provide comprehensive information in relation to the process-structure-property relationships in FFF 3D-printing of PEEK to provide a clear baseline to the research community and assesses its potential for space applications, including out-of-earth manufacturing.


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