Tungsten-Doped ZnO as an Electron Transport Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells: Enhancing Efficiency and Stability.

This study delves into enhancing the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by optimizing the surface morphologies and optoelectronic properties of the electron transport layer (ETL) using tungsten (W) doping in zinc oxide (ZnO). Through a unique green synthesis process and spin-coating technique, W-doped ZnO films were prepared, exhibiting improved electrical conductivity and reduced interface defects between the ETL and perovskite layers, thus facilitating efficient electron transfer at the interface. High-quality PSCs with superior ETL demonstrated a substantial 30% increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to those employing pristine ZnO ETL.

Development of assessment methods for photovoltaic module enhancing techniques using the lifespan parameter.

The photovoltaic module (PV) enhancer is a technology used for improving the PV performance. Recently, much research has been conducted to propose new concepts of PV enhancer such as coolers and reflectors. The PV enhancer performance is assessed by the common existing methods available in the literature, which solely depends on total exergy or energy, volume, area, weight and the manufacturing cost.

Transition Metals-Based Water Splitting Electrocatalysts on Copper-Based Substrates: The Integral Role of Morphological Properties.

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising alternative to produce high purity hydrogen gas as the green substitute for renewable energy. Thus, development of electrocatalysts for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are vital to improve the efficiency of the water splitting process particularly based on transition metals which has been explored extensively to replace the highly active electrocatalytic activity of the iridium and ruthenium metals-based electrocatalysts. In situ growth of the material on a conductive substrate has also been proven to have the capability to lower down the overpotential value significantly.

Towards a promising systematic approach to the synthesis of CZTS solar cells.

This study aims to enhance the CZTS device's overall efficiency, the key research area has been identified in this study is to explore the effects of a novel, low-cost, and simplified, deposition method to improve the optoelectronic properties of the buffer layer in the fabrication of CZTS thin film solar cells. Herein, an effective way of addressing this challenge is through adjusting the absorbers' structure by the concept of doping, sensitized CdS thin film by the bi-functional linker, and an environmentally friendly catalytic green agent. The Linker Assisted and Chemical Bath Deposition (LA-CBD) method was introduced as an innovative and effective hybrid sensitization approach.

Optimizing MWCNT-Based Nanofluids for Photovoltaic/Thermal Cooling through Preparation Parameters.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were employed as added particles for nanofluids in this practical investigation. To identify the most appropriate nanofluid for cooling PVT systems that are functional in the extreme summer environment of Baghdad, the parameters of base fluid, surfactant, and sonication time used for mixing were examined. Water was chosen as the base fluid instead of other potential candidates such as ethylene glycol (EG), propylene glycol (PG), and heat transfer oil (HTO).

Solar irradiation prediction using empirical and artificial intelligence methods: A comparative review.

Solar irradiation data is essential for the feasibility of solar energy projects. Notably, the intermittent nature of solar irradiation influences solar energy use in all forms, whether energy or agriculture. Accurate solar irradiation prediction is the only solution to effectively use solar energy in different forms.

Incorporating theoretical and PRACTICAL approaches to assess the amount of sunlight CAPTURED by a tilted surface in a tropical climate.

Global solar radiation can theoretically be approximated in terms of tilt and azimuth of the surface regarding the impossibility of simultaneous measurement of solar radiation at various surface tilt and azimuth angles. Moreover, the random and anisotropic nature of diffuse radiation in a tropical climate makes it extremely difficult to estimate global solar radiation accurately as a function of surface tilt and azimuth angles. This study aims to develop a novel experimental and theoretical approach in the form of a computational network in order to determine a precise combined model integrated with global horizontal solar radiation to evaluate global tilted solar radiation in a tropical climate.

Design configuration and operational parameters of bi-fluid PVT collectors: an updated review.

The bi-fluid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector was introduced to provide more heating options along with improved cooling capabilities for the PV module. Since its introduction, this type of PVT system has been investigated thoroughly in various original works. In this review paper, we intend to put the concept and applications of this technology into question and revise the main achievements and discoveries through research and development with a focus on climatic and operational parameters.

Thermal and flow performance analysis of a concentrated linear Fresnel solar collector with transverse ribs.

This article deals with the impact of including transverse ribs within the absorber tube of the concentrated linear Fresnel collector (CLFRC) system with a secondary compound parabolic collector (CPC) on thermal and flow performance coefficients. The enhancement rates of heat transfer due to varying governing parameters were compared and analyzed parametrically at Reynolds numbers in the range 5,000-13,000, employing water as the heat transfer fluid. Simulations were performed to solve the governing equations using the finite volume method (FVM) under various boundary conditions.

Correction: Mechanism and principle of doping: realizing of silver incorporation in CdS thin film doping concentration effect.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D2RA04790J.].

Mechanism and principle of doping: realizing of silver incorporation in CdS thin film doping concentration effect.

A high-quality buffer layer serves as one of the most significant issues that influences the efficiency of solar cells. Doping in semiconductors is an important strategy that can be used to control the reaction growth. In this study, the influence of Ag doping on the morphological, optical and electrical properties of CdS thin films have been obtained.

Investigation of Morphological, Optical, and Dielectric Properties of RF Sputtered WO Thin Films for Optoelectronic Applications.

Tungsten oxide (WO) thin films were synthesized through the RF magnetron sputtering method by varying the sputtering power from 30 W to 80 W. Different investigations have been conducted to evaluate the variation in different morphological, optical, and dielectric properties with the sputtering power and prove the possibility of using WO in optoelectronic applications. An Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), stylus profilometer, and atomic force microscope (AFM) have been used to investigate the dependency of morphological properties on sputtering power.

An in-depth analysis of nucleation and growth mechanism of CdS thin film synthesized by chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique.

The aim of this study is to acquire a deeper understanding of the response mechanism that is associated with the formation of CdS thin films. We presented an effective and new hybrid sensitisation technique, which involved the 1-step linker between the related chemical bath deposition (CBD) process and the traditional doping method during CBD for synthesising high-quality, CdS thin films. The mechanism for the combined synthesis of the films is also describes.

Raytracing Modelling of Infrared Light Management Using Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS) as a Back-Reflector Layer in a Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cell (SHJ).

The silicon heterojunction solar cell (SHJ) is considered the dominant state-of-the-art silicon solar cell technology due to its excellent passivation quality and high efficiency. However, SHJ's light management performance is limited by its narrow optical absorption in long-wave near-infrared (NIR) due to the front, and back tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) layer's free carrier absorption and reflection losses. Despite the light-trapping efficiency (LTE) schemes adopted by SHJ in terms of back surface texturing, the previous investigations highlighted the ITO layer as a reason for an essential long-wavelength light loss mechanism in SHJ solar cells.

New systematic study approach of green synthesis CdS thin film via Salvia dye.

In this study, we aimed to increase the knowledge regarding the response mechanisms which were associated with the formation of CdS thin films. CdS thin film remains the most appealing alternative for many researchers, as it has been a capable buffer material for effect in film based polycrystalline solar cells (CdTe, CIGSe, CZTS). The Linker Assisted and Chemical Bath Deposition (LA-CBD) technique, which combines the Linker Assisted (LA) technique and the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method for forming high quality CdS thin film, was presented as an efficient and novel hybrid sensitization technique.

Transitioning to a high renewable net-zero power generation system in Malaysia.

Malaysia is a net importer of coal, petroleum products and piped natural gas. Moreover, its primary energy supply is dominated by fossil fuels, at about 93% in total, with coal and natural gas constituting the highest shares in electricity generation. Thus, there is need for Malaysia to take swift action in transitioning to a high renewable energy system for long-term sustainability and meeting its climate action commitment under the Paris Agreement.

Long-term power forecasting using FRNN and PCA models for calculating output parameters in solar photovoltaic generation.

This paper evaluated a 1.4 kW grid-connected photovoltaic system (GCPV) using two neural network models based on experimental data for one year. The novelty of this study is to propose and compare full recurrent neural network (FRNN), and principal component analysis (PCA) models based on entire year experimental data, considering limited research conducted to predict GCPV behaviour using the two methods.

Recent Issues and Configuration Factors in Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells towards Large Scaling Production.

The unprecedented development of perovskite-silicon (PSC-Si) tandem solar cells in the last five years has been hindered by several challenges towards industrialization, which require further research. The combination of the low cost of perovskite and legacy silicon solar cells serve as primary drivers for PSC-Si tandem solar cell improvement. For the perovskite top-cell, the utmost concern reported in the literature is perovskite instability.

Review of the valorization options for the proper disposal of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected not only human health and economies but also the environment due to the large volume of waste in the form of discarded personal protective equipment. The remarkable increase in the global usage of face masks, which mainly contain polypropylene, and improper waste management have led to a serious environmental challenge called microplastic pollution. Potential practices for waste management related to waste valorization of discarded face masks as the major type of waste during the COVID-19 pandemic are explored in this study.

Impact of Ar Flow Rates on Micro-Structural Properties of WS Thin Film by RF Magnetron Sputtering.

Tungsten disulfide (WS) thin films were deposited on soda-lime glass (SLG) substrates using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering at different Ar flow rates (3 to 7 sccm). The effect of Ar flow rates on the structural, morphology, and electrical properties of the WS thin films was investigated thoroughly. Structural analysis exhibited that all the as-grown films showed the highest peak at (101) plane corresponds to rhombohedral phase.

Resorcinol-Formaldehyde (RF) as a Novel Plasticizer for Starch-Based Solid Biopolymer Electrolyte.

A starch-resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF)-lithium triflate (LiTf) based biodegradable polymer electrolyte membrane was synthesized via the solution casting technique. The formation of RF crosslinks in the starch matrix was found to repress the starch's crystallinity as indicated by the XRD data. Incorporation of the RF plasticizer improved the conductivity greatly, with the highest room-temperature conductivity recorded being 4.

In vitro antioxidant activity of Ficus carica L. latex from 18 different cultivars.

As synthetic antioxidants that are widely used in foods are known to cause detrimental health effects, studies on natural additives as potential antioxidants are becoming increasingly important. In this work, the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of Ficus carica Linn latex from 18 cultivars were investigated. The TPC of latex was calculated using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay.

Thermal and Hydraulic Performance of CuO/Water Nanofluids: A Review.

This paper discusses the behaviour of different thermophysical properties of CuO water-based nanofluids, including the thermal and hydraulic performance and pumping power. Different experimental and theoretical studies that investigated each property of CuO/water in terms of thermal and fluid mechanics are reviewed. Classical theories cannot describe the thermal conductivity and viscosity.

Organosoluble Starch-Cellulose Binary Polymer Blend as a Quasi-Solid Electrolyte in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell.

This work is a pioneer attempt to fabricate quasi-solid dye-sensitized solar cell (QSDDSC) based on organosoluble starch derivative. Rheological characterizations of the PhSt-HEC blend based gels exhibited viscoelastic properties favorable for electrolyte fabrication. From amplitude sweep and tack test analyses, it was evident that the inclusion of LiI improved the rigidity and tack property of the gels.

Light transmission and internal scattering in pulsed laser-etched partially-transparent silicon wafers.

Continuing trend in silicon wafer thickness directed at cost reduction approaches basic boundaries created by: (a) mismatch between Al paste and Si wafer thermal expansion and (b) incomplete optical absorption. With its symmetrical front and back electrical contacts, the bifacial solar cell setup reduces stress due to mismatch thermal expansion, decreases metal use and increases high temperature efficiency. Efficiency improvement is accomplished in bifacial solar cells by capturing light from the back surface.