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Inorganic Nanocrystal Solar Cells
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Inorganic Nanocrystal Solar Cells

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A2: Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 10314

Special Issue Editor

Dr. HyunJung Park

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea
Interests: solar cells; silicon; thin film; perovskite; organic; inorganic; tandem; high efficiency

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Solar cells are one of the most promising renewable energy sources in the face of the rising global demand for electricity and climate change. Since the invention of solar cells, the current solar cell technology is striving to reach the theoretical limit efficiency through the development of various light-absorbing materials, high-efficiency technologies with a large area and a high stability with the consideration of commercialization.

Inorganic solar cells include monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous silicon, group III-V compounds and alloys thereof, CdTe, and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), and quantum dot solar cells. Specifically, inorganic nanocrystalline solar cells are being actively studied by many researchers as an alternative to overcoming the efficiency limit of conventional crystalline silicon solar cells.

Quantum dots, which are inorganic semiconductor crystals of several nanometers in size, are being developed, because of the advantages of low cost, easy fabrication process, scalable and controlled synthesis, and excellent optical properties that can be controlled by inorganic semiconductors through control of size, composition, and structure. However, the quantum dot itself has low conversion efficiency due to charge losses from surface traps, reaction at the electrode interface, and light corrosion, and various research approaches have attempted to overcome these problems.

In this Special Issue, we will cover research studies related to inorganic nanocrystal solar cells, including material engineering, fabrication process, high-efficiency technology, characterization, optimization, theoretical analysis, simulations and solutions for the problems faced by inorganic nanocrystal solar cells.

Dr. HyunJung Park
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Inorganic solar cells
  • Nanocrystal solar cells 
  • Quantum dot solar cells
  • CdTe solar cells 
  • Thin-film solar cells 
  • Synthesis 
  • Coatings 
  • Upscaling
  • High-efficiency technology 
  • Tandem

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 152 KiB  
Editorial
Inorganic Nanocrystal Solar Cells
by HyunJung Park
Energies 2022, 15(15), 5450; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15155450 - 27 Jul 2022
Viewed by 1073
Abstract
In recent decades, global electricity consumption has rapidly increased, and worldwide electricity demand is expected to follow the same trend [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanocrystal Solar Cells)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

13 pages, 34081 KiB  
Article
Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Modules Using Additive-Manufactured Optical Pattern
by Young-Su Kim, A-Rong Kim and Sung-Ju Tark
Energies 2022, 15(4), 1288; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041288 - 10 Feb 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1766
Abstract
This paper suggests a novel way to manufacture power-efficient building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules that are aesthetically acceptable for use in zero-energy buildings (ZEBs). An optical pattern is formed using additive manufacturing (AM) to maximize the number of sunrays that reach the solar cells [...] Read more.
This paper suggests a novel way to manufacture power-efficient building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules that are aesthetically acceptable for use in zero-energy buildings (ZEBs). An optical pattern is formed using additive manufacturing (AM) to maximize the number of sunrays that reach the solar cells and to hide cells beneath the pattern. The optical pattern was optimized by simulation, then selected PV modules were fabricated to ensure that they met the optimal optical pattern conditions. Increase in pattern angle and lens space yielded increase in the output power of the PV module, but reduced the aesthetic functionality. This color BIPV technology is expected to help expand the BIPV market and reduce carbon for “net zero” objectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanocrystal Solar Cells)
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10 pages, 1846 KiB  
Article
First-Principles Study of Pt-Based Bifunctional Oxygen Evolution & Reduction Electrocatalyst: Interplay of Strain and Ligand Effects
by Seung-hoon Kim, Yoonmook Kang and Hyung Chul Ham
Energies 2021, 14(22), 7814; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227814 - 22 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2703
Abstract
We examined the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of Pt-based Pt3M/Pt nanoalloy catalysts (where M represents a 3d transition metal) for bifunctional electrocatalysts using spin-polarized density functional theory calculations. First, the stability of the Pt3M/Pt [...] Read more.
We examined the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of Pt-based Pt3M/Pt nanoalloy catalysts (where M represents a 3d transition metal) for bifunctional electrocatalysts using spin-polarized density functional theory calculations. First, the stability of the Pt3M/Pt catalyst was investigated by calculating the bulk formation energy and surface separation energy. Using the calculated adsorption energies for the OER/ORR intermediates in the modeled catalysts, we predicted the OER/ORR overpotentials and potential limiting steps for each catalyst. The origins of the enhanced catalytic reactivity in Pt3M/Pt catalysts caused by strain and ligand effects are explained separately. In addition, compared to Pt(111), the OER and ORR activities in a Pt3Ni/Ptskin catalyst with a Pt skin layer were increased by 13.7% and 18.4%, respectively, due to the strain and ligand effects. It was confirmed that compressive strain and ligand effects are key factors in improving the catalytic performance of OER/ORR bifunctional catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanocrystal Solar Cells)
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7 pages, 4574 KiB  
Article
Characterization of MOCVD-Prepared CIS Solar Cells
by Seung Hoon Lee, Gyu Hyun Lee, Hae-Seok Lee, Donghwan Kim and Yoonmook Kang
Energies 2021, 14(22), 7721; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227721 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1885
Abstract
Chalcopyrite Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells prepared via metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are one of the candidates for highly advanced photovoltaic devices. This is because of their effectiveness and potential for reducing production costs through large-scale production. However, research on MOCVD-prepared solar [...] Read more.
Chalcopyrite Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells prepared via metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are one of the candidates for highly advanced photovoltaic devices. This is because of their effectiveness and potential for reducing production costs through large-scale production. However, research on MOCVD-prepared solar cells is progressing slower than that on other types of solar cells, primarily because the preparation of CuInSe2 (CIS)-based films via MOCVD is relatively more sophisticated. In this study, we analyzed CIS solar cells prepared via three-stage MOCVD and processed with relatively simple precursors and techniques. We achieved an energy-conversion efficiency of 7.39% without applying a buffer layer. Instead, we applied a Cu-deficient layer to create a buried pn junction. Ultimately, we demonstrated that the fabrication of fully-MOCVD-processed CIS photovoltaic devices is feasible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanocrystal Solar Cells)
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12 pages, 2398 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Potential-Induced Degradation and Recovery in CIGS Solar Cells
by Solhee Lee, Soohyun Bae, Se Jin Park, Jihye Gwak, JaeHo Yun, Yoonmook Kang, Donghwan Kim, Young-Joo Eo and Hae-Seok Lee
Energies 2021, 14(15), 4628; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14154628 - 30 Jul 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2091
Abstract
The potential-induced degradation (PID) mechanism in Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 (CIGS) thin-film solar cells, which are alternative energy sources with a high efficiency (>23%) and upscaling possibilities, remains unclear. Therefore, the cause of PID in CIGS solar cells was investigated in this study at the [...] Read more.
The potential-induced degradation (PID) mechanism in Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 (CIGS) thin-film solar cells, which are alternative energy sources with a high efficiency (>23%) and upscaling possibilities, remains unclear. Therefore, the cause of PID in CIGS solar cells was investigated in this study at the cell level. First, an appropriate PID experiment structure at the cell level was determined. Subsequently, PID and recovery tests were conducted to confirm the PID phenomenon. Light current–voltage (I–V), dark I–V, and external quantum efficiency (EQE) analyses were conducted to determine changes in the cell characteristics. In addition, capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements were carried out to determine the doping concentration and width of the space charge region (SCR). Based on the results, the causes of PID and recovery of CIGS solar cells were explored, and it was found that PID occurs due to changes in the bulk doping concentration and built-in potential at the junction. Furthermore, by distinguishing the effects of temperature and voltage, it was found that PID phenomena occurred when potential difference was involved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanocrystal Solar Cells)
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