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Nanomaterials
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Advancing the Sustainable Application of Nanostructured Materials in Solar Cells
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Advancing the Sustainable Application of Nanostructured Materials in Solar Cells

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Solar Energy and Solar Cells".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 July 2024 | Viewed by 2828

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Kwang Leong Choy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Materials Science, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan 215316, China
Interests: development of high performance nanostructured and nanocomposite materials based on superthin/thin/thick films using novel and advanced materials synthesis methods for solar cells; energy storage; optoelectronics applications; non-vacuum Chemical Vapour Deposition technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The continuous development of society and economy has generated an ever-increasing demand for energy. However, the current reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels not only contributes to the energy crisis but also leads to detrimental environmental pollution. To address these challenges, countries worldwide are actively pursuing sustainable approaches to energy development. Solar energy, as a clean and renewable source, holds immense potential in resolving the energy crisis and preserving the environment. While significant progress has been made in recent decades, further advancements are still needed to fully replace conventional energy sources with solar cells.

One promising approach to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of solar cells is the utilization of nanostructured materials. For instance, the integration of quantum dots and nanowires with unique optical properties can enhance light absorption across a broader spectrum, resulting in increased light harvesting and overall efficiency. Nanomaterials also offer a high surface-to-volume ratio, facilitating a larger interface between the active layer of the solar cell and the incident light. This leads to improved light absorption, more efficient charge separation, and consequently, higher power conversion efficiency. Additionally, nanomaterials can be designed and engineered to achieve an optimized bandgap for efficient light absorption and improved power conversion. Furthermore, nanostructured materials enhance charge transport properties, minimize charge recombination, and maximize the collection of charge carriers, thereby improving solar cell efficiency. Moreover, nanomaterials can be integrated into flexible substrates and processed using scalable, low-cost, and low temperature manufacturing techniques, expanding the applications of solar cells. Various nanomaterials with unique properties can also be combined with other perovskite materials, inorganic or organic semiconductors, to create high-performance hybrid solar cells.

This Special Issue aims to compile recent advancements in utilizing nanomaterials to enhance the efficiency, stability, and versatility of solar cells, thereby promoting more sustainable and efficient conversion of solar energy. We cordially invite researchers to submit original research articles and reviews covering a broad range of topics related to the advancements of nanomaterials in solar cells, including but not limited to:

  • Development of novel nanomaterials to improve light absorption;
  • Strategies for enhancing charge transport and collection in nanomaterial-based solar cells;
  • Bandgap engineering and optimization techniques using nanomaterials;
  • Integration of nanomaterials with other advanced technologies for synergistic effects in solar cell performance;
  • Design and fabrication of flexible and lightweight solar cells utilizing nanomaterials;
  • Enhancements in stability and durability through the incorporation of nanomaterials;
  • Exploration of sustainable and earth-abundant nanomaterials for solar cell applications;
  • Low-energy methods for nanomaterial fabrication in solar cell production;
  • Innovative device nanostructures incorporating nanomaterials for improved performance.

Contributions on all types of solar cells are welcome, including but not limited to tandem solar cells, perovskite solar cells, tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells, organic solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, quantum-dot-based solar cells, chalcogenides-based nanomaterials for solar cells, hybrid organic-inorganic solar cells and other relevant solar cell technologies.

We eagerly anticipate your valuable contributions, as they will significantly contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of nanomaterials for solar cell applications.

Prof. Dr. Kwang Leong Choy
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • solar cells
  • nanomaterials
  • sustainable solutions
  • solar energy
  • photovoltaic performance
  • light absorption
  • power conversion efficiency
  • charge transport
  • stability and durability
  • perovskite solar cells

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 5095 KiB  
Article
Fabricating Planar Perovskite Solar Cells through a Greener Approach
by Sajid Sajid, Salem Alzahmi, Nouar Tabet, Yousef Haik and Ihab M. Obaidat
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(7), 594; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano14070594 - 28 Mar 2024
Viewed by 731
Abstract
High-quality perovskite thin films are typically produced via solvent engineering, which results in efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Nevertheless, the use of hazardous solvents like precursor solvents (N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL)) and antisolvents (chlorobenzene (CB), dibutyl ether (DEE), [...] Read more.
High-quality perovskite thin films are typically produced via solvent engineering, which results in efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Nevertheless, the use of hazardous solvents like precursor solvents (N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL)) and antisolvents (chlorobenzene (CB), dibutyl ether (DEE), diethyl ether (Et2O), etc.) is crucial to the preparation of perovskite solutions and the control of perovskite thin film crystallization. The consumption of hazardous solvents poses an imminent threat to both the health of manufacturers and the environment. Consequently, before PSCs are commercialized, the current concerns about the toxicity of solvents must be addressed. In this study, we fabricated highly efficient planar PSCs using a novel, environmentally friendly method. Initially, we employed a greener solvent engineering approach that substituted the hazardous precursor solvents with an environmentally friendly solvent called triethyl phosphate (TEP). In the following stage, we fabricated perovskite thin films without the use of an antisolvent by employing a two-step procedure. Of all the greener techniques used to fabricate PSCs, the FTO/SnO2/MAFAPbI3/spiro-OMeTAD planar device configuration yielded the highest PCE of 20.98%. Therefore, this work addresses the toxicity of the solvents used in the perovskite film fabrication procedure and provides a promising universal method for producing PSCs with high efficiency. The aforementioned environmentally friendly approach might allow for PSC fabrication on an industrial scale in the future under sustainable conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing the Sustainable Application of Nanostructured Materials in Solar Cells)
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24 pages, 3618 KiB  
Article
Donor-Acceptor Copolymers with 9-(2-Ethylhexyl)carbazole or Dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide Donor Units and 5,6-Difluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole Acceptor Units for Photonics
by Věra Cimrová, Petra Babičová, Mariem Guesmi and Drahomír Výprachtický
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(22), 2939; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13222939 - 13 Nov 2023
Viewed by 989
Abstract
Semiconducting polymers, particularly of the third generation, including donor-acceptor (D-A) copolymers, are extensively studied due to their huge potential for photonic and electronic applications. Here, we report on two new D-A copolymers, CP1 and CP2, composed of different electron-donor (D) units: 9-(2-ethylhexyl)carbazole or [...] Read more.
Semiconducting polymers, particularly of the third generation, including donor-acceptor (D-A) copolymers, are extensively studied due to their huge potential for photonic and electronic applications. Here, we report on two new D-A copolymers, CP1 and CP2, composed of different electron-donor (D) units: 9-(2-ethylhexyl)carbazole or dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, respectively, and of 4,7-bis(4′-(2-octyldodecyl)thiophen-2′-yl)-5,6-difluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole building block with central 5,6-difluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole electron-acceptor (A) units, which were synthesized by Suzuki coupling in the high-boiling solvent xylene and characterized. The copolymers exhibited very good thermal and oxidation stability. A copolymer CP1 with different molecular weights was prepared in order to facilitate a comparison of CP1 with CP2 of comparable molecular weight and to reveal the relationship between molecular weight and properties. The photophysical, electrochemical, and electroluminescence properties were examined. Intense red photoluminescence (PL) with higher PL efficiencies for CP1 than for CP2 was observed in both solutions and films. Red shifts in the PL thin film spectra compared with the PL solution spectra indicated aggregate formation in the solid state. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed differences in the arrangement of molecules in thin films depending on the molecular weight of the copolymers. Light-emitting devices with efficient red emission and low onset voltages were prepared and characterized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing the Sustainable Application of Nanostructured Materials in Solar Cells)
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11 pages, 3206 KiB  
Article
Tsuchime-like Aluminum Film to Enhance Absorption in Ultra-Thin Photovoltaic Cells
by Mikita Marus, Yauhen Mukha, Him-Ting Wong, Tak-Lam Chan, Aliaksandr Smirnov, Aliaksandr Hubarevich and Haibo Hu
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(19), 2650; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13192650 - 26 Sep 2023
Viewed by 804
Abstract
Ultra-thin solar cells enable materials to be saved, reduce deposition time, and promote carrier collection from materials with short diffusion lengths. However, light absorption efficiency in ultra-thin solar panels remains a limiting factor. Most methods to increase light absorption in ultra-thin solar cells [...] Read more.
Ultra-thin solar cells enable materials to be saved, reduce deposition time, and promote carrier collection from materials with short diffusion lengths. However, light absorption efficiency in ultra-thin solar panels remains a limiting factor. Most methods to increase light absorption in ultra-thin solar cells are either technically challenging or costly, given the thinness of the functional layers involved. We propose a cost-efficient and lithography-free solution to enhance light absorption in ultra-thin solar cells—a Tsuchime-like self-forming nanocrater (T-NC) aluminum (Al) film. T-NC Al film can be produced by the electrochemical anodization of Al, followed by etching the nanoporous alumina. Theoretical studies show that T-NC film can increase the average absorbance by 80.3%, depending on the active layer’s thickness. The wavelength range of increased absorption varies with the active layer thickness, with the peak of absolute absorbance increase moving from 620 nm to 950 nm as the active layer thickness increases from 500 nm to 10 µm. We have also shown that the absorbance increase is retained regardless of the active layer material. Therefore, T-NC Al film significantly boosts absorbance in ultra-thin solar cells without requiring expensive lithography, and regardless of the active layer material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing the Sustainable Application of Nanostructured Materials in Solar Cells)
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