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The Forth-Coming Era of Photovoltaic Technologies: Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Solar Cells
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The Forth-Coming Era of Photovoltaic Technologies: Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Solar Cells

A special issue of Solar (ISSN 2673-9941).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 24 May 2024 | Viewed by 9141

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Giuseppe Calogero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, via F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98158 Messina, Italy
Interests: photochemistry; nanomaterials; bidimensional materials; natural materials
Dr. Jessica Barichello

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CHOSE—Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy, Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, 00133 Roma, Italy
Interests: perovskite solar cells; dye sensitized solar cells; thin film photovoltaics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the context of the serious environmental issues that Earth is facing, among which atmospheric CO2 increase is a crucial one, implementation of clean technologies is mandatory. Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy conversion has the potential to play a major role in future electricity generation, as well as in supplying energy in peculiar geographical or logistic situations that require specific planning. In the course of the last decade, photovoltaic technology has undergone a strong innovation: like all technologies, even those that are applied to the solar field will vary over time to adapt to the demands that the market requires and leveraging innovations. The solar industry has now arrived at the third generation, but the panels currently present on the market are the second. Some of the most promising emerging technologies for ultimate low-cost manufacturing are solution-processed, such as organic photovoltaics (OPV), dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and extremely thin absorber solar cells as the most recent perovskite solar cells (PSCs) or the Copper Indium Gallium Selenide solar cells (CIGS). The current studies about PV technology are so rapidly evolving that it is difficult to even define a well-assessed framework. Indeed, the research is focused time to time on separated single aspects, which each study field is related with. This inaugural Special Issue of Solar will comprise a collection of high-quality papers published related to the last generation of PV. The presented Special Issue of Solar aims to gather the multi-aspect field of high-efficient, eco-friendly and low-cost materials and processes concerning innovation for the latest PV cell technologies. Manuscripts, whether original research articles or comprehensive reviews, may address any aspect of the development associated with the last class of PV materials and technologies and their application. This is an opportunity to set the standard for the new journal and to stimulate interest and debate in advancing the scientific basis of the latest PV technologies.

Dr. Giuseppe Calogero
Dr. Jessica Barichello
Guest Editors

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. Solar is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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

  • perovskite solar cells
  • dye-sensitized solar cells
  • organic photovoltaics
  • copper indium gallium selenide
  • thin film photovoltaics
  • solar water splitting cells
  • photosensitive ferroelectrics
  • third PV generation

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 1635 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Feasibility and Performance of Perovskite/Antimony Selenide Four-Terminal Tandem Solar Cells
by Harigovind Menon, Al Amin, Xiaomeng Duan, S. N. Vijayaraghavan, Jacob Wall, Wenjun Xiang, Kausar Ali Khawaja and Feng Yan
Solar 2024, 4(2), 222-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar4020010 - 03 Apr 2024
Viewed by 486
Abstract
The tandem solar cell presents a potential solution to surpass the Shockley–Queisser limit observed in single-junction solar cells. However, creating a tandem device that is both cost-effective and highly efficient poses a significant challenge. In this study, we present proof of concept for [...] Read more.
The tandem solar cell presents a potential solution to surpass the Shockley–Queisser limit observed in single-junction solar cells. However, creating a tandem device that is both cost-effective and highly efficient poses a significant challenge. In this study, we present proof of concept for a four-terminal (4T) tandem solar cell utilizing a wide bandgap (1.6–1.8 eV) perovskite top cell and a narrow bandgap (1.2 eV) antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) bottom cell. Using a one-dimensional (1D) solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS), our calculations indicate the feasibility of this architecture, projecting a simulated device performance of 23% for the perovskite/Sb2Se3 4T tandem device. To validate this, we fabricated two wide bandgap semitransparent perovskite cells with bandgaps of 1.6 eV and 1.77 eV, respectively. These were then mechanically stacked with a narrow bandgap antimony selenide (1.2 eV) to create a tandem structure, resulting in experimental efficiencies exceeding 15%. The obtained results demonstrate promising device performance, showcasing the potential of combining perovskite top cells with the emerging, earth-abundant antimony selenide thin film solar technology to enhance overall device efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Forth-Coming Era of Photovoltaic Technologies: Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Solar Cells)
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15 pages, 11311 KiB  
Article
Infiltration of CsPbI3:EuI2 Perovskites into TiO2 Spongy Layers Deposited by gig-lox Sputtering Processes
by Carlo Spampinato, Paola La Magna, Salvatore Valastro, Emanuele Smecca, Valentina Arena, Corrado Bongiorno, Giovanni Mannino, Enza Fazio, Carmelo Corsaro, Fortunato Neri and Alessandra Alberti
Solar 2023, 3(3), 347-361; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar3030020 - 27 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1302
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells have become a popular alternative to traditional silicon solar cells due to their potential to provide high-efficiency, low-cost, and lightweight solar energy harvesting solutions. However, the multilayer architecture of perovskite solar cells demands careful investigation of the interaction and interfacing [...] Read more.
Perovskite solar cells have become a popular alternative to traditional silicon solar cells due to their potential to provide high-efficiency, low-cost, and lightweight solar energy harvesting solutions. However, the multilayer architecture of perovskite solar cells demands careful investigation of the interaction and interfacing between the various layers, as they play a crucial role in determining the overall performance of the cell. In this context, the present work aims at analyzing the coupling between a spongy transparent electron-transporting layer (ETL) and perovskite in a formulation CsPbI3:EuI2. The ETL used in this work is a transparent mesoporous TiO2 layer called “gig-lox” (grazing incidence angle geometry–local oxidation), which has been optimized to boost the interfacing with the perovskite for achieving a highly interconnected blend of materials. The gig-lox TiO2 ETL shows a high surface wettability with respect to the perovskite solution, especially after pre-annealing at 500 °C, and this enables the perovskite material to deeply infiltrate throughout it. The surface wettability of the gig-lox TiO2 has been estimated by contact angle measurements, while the deep infiltration of the perovskite material has been demonstrated through X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses. Thanks to the achieved deep infiltration, the photo-generated charge injection from the perovskite into the mesoporous oxide is enhanced with respect to the use of a planar compact oxide, as shown by the photoluminescence measurements. The mainstay of the approach resides in the ETL that is deposited by a solvent-free sputtering method and is up-scalable for high industrial throughput. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Forth-Coming Era of Photovoltaic Technologies: Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Solar Cells)
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16 pages, 6270 KiB  
Article
Optical Property and Stability Study of CH3(CH2)3NH3)2(CH3NH3)3Pb4I13 Ruddlesden Popper 2D Perovskites for Photoabsorbers and Solar Cells and Comparison with 3D MAPbI3
by Kakaraparthi Kranthiraja, Sujan Aryal, Mahdi Temsal, Mohin Sharma and Anupama B. Kaul
Solar 2022, 2(4), 385-400; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar2040023 - 20 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2343
Abstract
Three dimensional (3D) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a promising candidate for third-generation photovoltaics (PV) technology, which aims to produce efficient photon conversion devices to electricity using low-cost fabrication processes. Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites for-lmed using low-cost solution processing are explored here, which have [...] Read more.
Three dimensional (3D) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a promising candidate for third-generation photovoltaics (PV) technology, which aims to produce efficient photon conversion devices to electricity using low-cost fabrication processes. Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites for-lmed using low-cost solution processing are explored here, which have experienced a stupendous rise in power conversion efficiency (PCE) over the past decade and serve as a prime candidate for third-generation PV systems. While significant progress has been made, the inherent hygroscopic nature and stability issue of the 3D perovskites (3DPs) are an impediment to its commercialization. In this work, we have studied two-dimensional (2D) organometallic halide (CH3(CH2)3NH3)2(CH3NH3)n−1PbnI3n+1) layered perovskites in the Ruddlesden Popper structure, represented as BA2MA3Pb4I13 for the n = 4 formulation, for both photoabsorbers in a two-terminal architecture and solar cells, given that these material are considered to be inherently more stable. In the two-terminal photo absorber devices, the photocurrent and responsivity were measured as a function of incoming laser wavelength, where the location of the peak current was correlated to the emission spectrum arising from the 2DP film using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The 2D (BA)2(MA)3Pb4I13 films were then integrated into an n-i-p solar cell architecture, and PV device figures of merit tabulated, while our 3D MAPbI3 served as the reference absorber material. A comparative study of the 3DP and 2DP film stability was also conducted, where freshly synthesized films were inspected on FTO substrates and compared to those exposed to elevated humidity levels, and material stability was gauged using various material characterization probes, such as PL and UV-Vis optical absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. While the PCE of the 3D-PSCs was higher than the 2D-PSCs, our results confirm the enhanced environmental stability of the 2DP absorber films compared to the 3DP absorbers, suggesting their promise to address the stability issue broadly encountered in 3D PSCs toward third-generation PV technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Forth-Coming Era of Photovoltaic Technologies: Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Solar Cells)
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Review

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24 pages, 3338 KiB  
Review
Environmentally Friendly Water-Based Electrolyte for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Future Prospective and Outlook
by Donatella Spadaro, Jessica Barichello, Ilaria Citro and Giuseppe Calogero
Solar 2023, 3(2), 229-252; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar3020015 - 19 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2256
Abstract
The use of traditional Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is limited due to the use of toxic and non-environmentally safe solvents. In this review, water is proposed as a viable alternative to developing green chemistry and sustainable materials for DSSCs. However, water-based DSSCs (WBDSSCs) [...] Read more.
The use of traditional Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is limited due to the use of toxic and non-environmentally safe solvents. In this review, water is proposed as a viable alternative to developing green chemistry and sustainable materials for DSSCs. However, water-based DSSCs (WBDSSCs) require improvement in their photovoltaic parameters. The detachment of dye molecules from the semiconductor and the poor solubility of iodine in water are the primary reasons for their low efficiency. This review analyzes the best results achieved by 100% aqueous electrolytes containing synthetic, organic, and natural dyes to identify the best conditions to overcome these limitations. Developing a suitable photoanode/electrolyte interface and finding a compromise in the choice of dye are the main research goals in the coming years. WBDSSCs can contribute significantly to producing clean energy using sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. Furthermore, here we report the state of the art of the emerging technology of underwater dye-sensitized solar cells, which are a promising technology for generating renewable energy in aquatic environments. Recent advancements in material science and device engineering have shown promising results in enhancing their efficiency and durability. Further research and development can make these devices a viable alternative for sustainable energy generation in a wide range of underwater applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Forth-Coming Era of Photovoltaic Technologies: Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Solar Cells)
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21 pages, 1921 KiB  
Review
Dyes from the Southern Lands: An Alternative or a Dream?
by María Fernanda Cerdá
Solar 2022, 2(4), 519-539; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar2040031 - 15 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1528
Abstract
DSSC technology based on natural dyes still constitutes a tempting alternative to explore. Besides the ease of extraction, most natural dyes fulfill the characteristics to be applied as sensitizers. The presented results summarize the exploration of the features of several southern dyes, mostly [...] Read more.
DSSC technology based on natural dyes still constitutes a tempting alternative to explore. Besides the ease of extraction, most natural dyes fulfill the characteristics to be applied as sensitizers. The presented results summarize the exploration of the features of several southern dyes, mostly coming from the Antarctic region. The explored pigments showed good absorption capacity within the visible region of the light spectra, and their molecules possess functional moieties to coordinate with the TiO2 semiconductor, oxidation potential value near 1 V and reduction potential near −0.8 V, adequate thermal stability, and low fluorescence emission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Forth-Coming Era of Photovoltaic Technologies: Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Solar Cells)
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