scholarly journals Surface Modification of Aerosol-Assisted CVD Produced TiO2Thin Film for Dye Sensitised Solar Cell

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
SuPei Lim ◽  
Nay Ming Huang ◽  
Hong Ngee Lim ◽  
M. Mazhar
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Particle Deposition ◽  
Chemical Vapour ◽  
Photocurrent Density ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Visible Absorption ◽  
Ag Particle

We report a simple and convenient method for the preparation of Ag/TiO2thin films supported on indium tin oxide, which was achieved by sonochemical deposition of Ag+on aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposited TiO2thin films. Posttreatment was performed on the film by immersion in HCl. The as-prepared composite film was characterised by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The photoelectrochemical measurements andJ-Vcharacterisation showed approximately fivefold increase in photocurrent density generation and approximately sevenfold enhancement in dye sensitiser solar cell (DSSC) conversion efficiency, which was achieved after modification of the TiO2film with HCl posttreatment and Ag particle deposition. The improved photocurrent density of 933.30 μA/cm2, as well as DSSC power conversion efficiency of 3.63% with high stability, is an indication that the as-synthesised thin film is a potential candidate for solar energy conversion applications.

Optimization of Electrodeposition Time on the Properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Films for Thin Film Solar Cell Applications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Aamir Shafi ◽  
Amal Bouich ◽  
Laiq Khan ◽  
Hanif Ullah ◽  
Julia Mari Guaita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Thin Layer ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Time Variation ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cell ◽  
Deposition Time ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Czts Thin Films

Abstract Electrochemical deposition was used to create a quaternary CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4) kesterite thin layer. An aqueous solution of CZTS was used to deposit a thin layer over Indium Tin Oxide. The effects of deposition time (variation) on CZTS thin films under ambient conditions were investigated in this study. Several available characterization systems were used to study the samples as they were produced. The polycrystalline description of the layer is inveterate by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM as well as AFM study show that deposition time improved surface morphology and topography of CZTS thin films which increase several nm in grain size. Furthermore, depending upon the deposition duration, the optical study reveals an acceptable bandgap in a range of 1.44 to 1.71 eV. Characteristics of high-quality CZTS absorber layers for solar cell applications are discovered to be affected by deposition time variation. To check the effect of this bandgap variation (1.44 to 1.71 eV) on the performance of a CZTS based thin film solar cell, a simulation software SCAPS-1D is being used.

Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells from polymer-templated TiO2 bilayer thin films

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (12) ◽  
pp. 1048-1055
Author(s):  
Honghan Fei ◽  
Xiaojuan Fan ◽  
David L. Rogow ◽  
Scott R.J. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Solid State ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Photocurrent Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Maximum Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

We report an inexpensive method using solvent-swollen poly(methyl methacrylate) as a sacrificial template for mesoporous titanium oxide thin films with tunable meso/nano morphology. The conversion efficiency reaches 4.2% despite using a solid-state electrolyte, which circumvents the longevity issues of liquid electrolytes. The cells show a large short-circuit photocurrent density of 7.98 mA, open-circuit voltage of 0.78 V, and maximum conversion efficiency of 4.2% under air-mass 1.5 global illumination. At higher titania precursor ratios, nanodisk particles are formed that increase light scattering and double the efficiency over our previous reports. The tunability of the semiconductor morphology and all solid-state nature of the cells makes the method a viable alternative to existing solar cell technology.

Effect of Ge Thin Layer Position on Formation and Property of CZTSSe Thin Films and Solar Cells Prepared by Sputtering Method

2017 ◽  
Vol 895 ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
Jin Ze Li ◽  
Hong Lie Shen ◽  
Yu Fang Li ◽  
Wei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Thin Layer ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Bottom Layer ◽  
Window Layer ◽  
Structural Morphology ◽  
Ge Doping ◽  
Layer Position

In this work we deposited a Ge thin layer under or upon Cu-Zn-Sn-S precursor by sputtering, followed by selenization process to obtain Ge doped CZTSSe thin films. A comparison of structural, morphology and optoelectrical property on Ge doped CZTSSe thin films with different Ge layer position was studied. It was found that even a little amount of Ge doping could affect the crystallization of CZTSSe grains. The solar cells based on two kinds of precursors both had VOC improvement compared with undoped CZTSSe solar cell. However, due to the inner stress in CZTSSe thin film, cracks appeared between the interface of buffer layer and window layer in CZTSSe solar cell with Ge bottom layer, leading to the decrease of conversion efficiency. With the help of Ge in reducing bulk recombination, CZTSSe solar cell based on Cu-Zn-Sn-S precursor with Ge top layer had a conversion efficiency of 5.38%, in contrast to 3.01% and 4.30% of CZTSSe solar cell with Ge bottom layer and undoped CZTSSe solar cell, respectively.

scholarly journals Characterizations of Cuprous Oxide Thin Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Technique with Different Additives for the Photoelectrochemical Solar Cell

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. C. Halin ◽  
I. A. Talib ◽  
A. R. Daud ◽  
M. A. A. Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Cuprous Oxide ◽  
Spin Coating ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Spin Coating Technique ◽  
Coating Technique ◽  
Photoelectrochemical Solar Cell

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) thin films were deposited onto indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate by sol-gel spin coating technique using different additives, namely, polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. It was found that the organic additives added had a significant influence on the formation of Cu2O films and lead to different microstructures and optical properties. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). Based on the FESEM micrographs, the grain size of film prepared using polyethylene glycol additive has smaller grains of about 83 nm with irregular shapes. The highest optical absorbance film was obtained by the addition of polyethylene glycol. The Cu2O thin films were used as a working electrode in the application of photoelectrochemical solar cell (PESC).

scholarly journals Annealing Effects of Sputtered Cu2O Nanocolumns on ZnO-Coated Glass Substrate for Solar Cell Applications

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Lung-Chien Chen ◽  
Chung-Chieh Wang ◽  
Suz-Wei Lu
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Glass Substrate ◽  
Surface Structures ◽  
Oxide Glass ◽  
Coated Glass Substrate ◽  
Annealing Effects ◽  
Bilayered Structure ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide Glass

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) films were prepared on an indium tin oxide glass substrate by radiofrequency magnetron sputtering using a high-purity Cu target. The temperature of annealing was varied to obtain Cu2O thin films with various elements, compositions, and surface structures. The p-Cu2O thin films thus formed were characterized by FESEM and XRD. After annealing at 500∘C, the bilayer structure which consisted of Cu nanoclusters on the surface of a film of Cu2O nanocolumns was observed. The Cu2O solar cell with the bilayered structure exhibited poor power conversion efficiency.

Synthesis and Characterisation of Indium Tin Oxide Thin Films for Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells using Natural Fruit Extracts

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Ramyashree ◽  
K. Kumar ◽  
S. Shanmuga Priya ◽  
K. Sudhakar
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Tin Oxide ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Visible Region ◽  
Spherical Particles ◽  
Nanocrystalline Phase ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Ito Films

The study focuses on the application of natural fruit extract of blackberry in dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSC) as a photosensitiser. The widespread availability of the fruits and juices, high concentration of anthocyanins in them ease of extraction of anthocyanin dyes from these commonly available fruits, enable them as a novel and inexpensive candidates for solar cell fabrication. Anthocyanins are naturally occurring biodegradable and non-toxic compounds that can be extracted with minimal environmental impact and provide environmentally benign alternatives for manufacturing dyes in DSSC synthesis. Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films are synthesised using sol-gel and spin-coating techniques. ITO characteristics are determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transforms infrared spectra (FTIR) measurements. To find the transmittance percentage in the visible region of thin films, atomic force microscope (AFM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy analyses were done. The nanocrystalline phase of the synthesised ITO films was confirmed through XRD. SEM was used to analyse the morphology of the synthesised ITO films. Cubic, columnar (edge length ~ 35-45 nm) and rod-shaped (~110 x 14) particles were observed. Narrow size distribution was observed for spherical particles in the range of ~13-15 nm. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of carboxyl and hydroxide functional groups. The AFM analysis revealed the uniform spread of the synthesised dye, while the visible region absorbance and transmittance of the synthesised ITO films were confirmed through UV-vis spectroscopy. The thin films showed 83-86% of average transmittance. Finally, we fabricated a dye-sensitised solar cell with desired properties. The characterisation results confirmed that the synthesised material could be used in the DSSC application.

Synthesis of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 thin films using an aqueous spray-pyrolysis approach, and their solar cell efficiency of 10.5%

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 4147-4154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Anower Hossain ◽  
Zhang Tianliang ◽  
Lee Kian Keat ◽  
Li Xianglin ◽  
Rajiv R. Prabhakar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Spray Pyrolysis ◽  
Power Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency

An aqueous spray-pyrolysis approach for synthesizing Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 thin film, which leads to 10.54% power conversion efficiency in solar cell, and shows ease of fabrication of films in large-scale at a much cheaper cost.

scholarly journals Investigations of electrical and optical properties of functional TCO thin films

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarosław Domaradzki ◽  
Danuta Kaczmarek ◽  
Kazimierz Drabczyk ◽  
Piotr Panek
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Transparent Conducting Oxide ◽  
Deposition Process ◽  
Beam Current ◽  
Antireflection Coating ◽  
Electron Beam Current ◽  
Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell

AbstractTransparent conducting oxide (TCO) films of indium-tin-oxide were evaporated on the surface of silicon wafers after phosphorous diffusion and on the reference glass substrates. The influence of deposition process parameters (electron beam current, oxygen flow and the substrate temperature) on optical and electrical properties of evaporated thin films were investigated by means of resistivity measurements and optical spectrophotometry. The performance of prepared thin films was judged by calculated figure of merit and the best result was obtained for the sample deposited on the substrate heated to the 100 °C and then removed from the deposition chamber and annealed in an air for 5 minutes at 400 °C. Refractive index and extinction coefficient were evaluated based on measured transmission spectra and used for designing of antireflection coating for solar cell. The obtained results showed that prepared TCO thin films are promising as a part of counter electrode in crystalline silicon solar cell construction.

Electro Synthesised NiTe2 Thin Films with the Influence of Additives

2014 ◽  
Vol 925 ◽  
pp. 159-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Joseph Sahaya Anand ◽  
Mohd Zaidan
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Transition Metals ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Metal Chalcogenides ◽  
Promising Alternative

Solar cell is one of the promising alternative green energy sources that can provide free electricity when sunlight is converted. The absorbent materials and their synthesis methods are subject of interest mainly due to solar panel installation cost despite of free electricity generated. The well-known silicon solar cells made, either amorphous or polycrystalline are good in conversion efficiency up to 17%, but their high cost make the researchers to look for alternate materials. Semiconducting materials in thin film form such as InP, SnO2 and ZnO are being studied as the alternative materials, but are not commercialised due to their poor conversion efficiency. Another group of semiconductor compounds known as transition metal chalcogenides (TMC) have been developed to be used as the absorbent materials. Consisting of transition metals and chalcogenides (S, Se and Te), they show promising solar absorbent properties such as semiconducting band gap, well adhesion to substrate and good conversion with better cost-effective. There are many TMC compounds synthesised, including copper indium selenide (CIS), ZnTe2, CdSe etc. Nickel, one of the transition metals synthesised with chalcogenides are referred as nickel chalcogenides. There are many possible combinations of nickel chalcogenides such as NiS2, NiSe, NiSe2 and Ni3Se2. The combination of nickel and telluride are the fewest being observed due to the nature of tellurium that is poorly-adhesive onto the substrate. Therefore, NiTe2 thin film is being electro-synthesised onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates and their properties are studied. The additives are being used to improve the adhesion between the film and substrate. Cyclic voltammetry experiments have been done prior to electrodeposition in order to get the electrodeposition potential range where the observable reduction range is between-0.9-(-1.1) V. The electrodeposition is carried out using the potentials in the reduction region, producing the well-adherent, well-distributed and dark-coloured thin films.

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