This paper presents a thorough numerical investigation focused on optimizing the efficiency of quantum-well intermediate-band solar cells (QW-IBSCs) based on III-nitride materials. The optimization strategy encompasses manipulating confinement potential energy, controlling hydrostatic pressure, adjusting compositions, and varying thickness. The built-in electric fields in (In, Ga)N alloys and heavy-hole levels are considered to enhance the results' accuracy. The finite element method (FEM) and Python 3.8 are employed to numerically solve the Schrödinger equation within the effective mass theory framework. This study reveals that meticulous design can achieve a theoretical photovoltaic efficiency of quantum-well intermediate-band solar cells (QW-IBSCs) that surpasses the Shockley-Queisser limit. Moreover, reducing the thickness of the layers enhances the light-absorbing capacity and, therefore, contributes to efficiency improvement. Additionally, the shape of the confinement potential significantly influences the device's performance. This work is critical for society, as it represents a significant advancement in sustainable energy solutions, holding the promise of enhancing both the efficiency and accessibility of solar power generation. Consequently, this research stands at the forefront of innovation, offering a tangible and impactful contribution toward a greener and more sustainable energy future.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano14010104 | DOI Listing |
ACS Nano
December 2024
International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China.
Photocatalytic CO conversion is a promising approach to simultaneously mitigate climate change and alleviate the energy crisis. However, infrared light, which constitutes nearly half of the solar energy, has not been effectively utilized yet. In this work, we discover a photogenerated charge transition mechanism in CuInS with intrinsic In antisite defects for synergistic utilization of full-spectrum photons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanomaterials (Basel)
November 2024
Laboratory of Physic of Solids, Faculty of Science, Dhar El Mehrez University, Fes 30050, Morocco.
In this study, we investigated the influence of structural parameters, including active region dimensions, electric field intensity, In-composition, impurity position, and potential profiles, on the energy levels, sub-gap transitions, and photovoltaic characteristics of a p-GaN/i-(In, Ga)N/GaN-n (p-QW-n) structure. The finite element method (FEM) has been used to solve numerically the Schrödinger equation. We found that particle and sub-gap energy levels are susceptible to well width, electric field, and impurity position.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaterials (Basel)
October 2024
LPS, Faculty of Sciences, Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fes 30000, Morocco.
This study presents a theoretical investigation into the photovoltaic efficiency of InGaN/GaN quantum well-based intermediate band solar cells (IBSCs) under the simultaneous influence of electric and magnetic fields. The finite element method is employed to numerically solve the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation within the framework of the effective-mass approximation. Our findings reveal that electric and magnetic fields significantly influence the energy levels of electrons and holes, optical transition energies, open-circuit voltages, short-circuit currents, and overall photovoltaic conversion performances of IBSCs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Photonics
October 2024
Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology and CEMOP/UNINOVA, i3N/CENIMAT, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
The outstanding physical properties of dots-in-host (QD@Host) hetero semiconductors demand detailed methods to fundamentally understand the best routes to optimize their potentialities for different applications. In this work, a 4-band k.p-based method was developed for rock-salt quantum dots (QDs) that describes the complete optical properties of arbitrary QD@Host systems, trailblazing the way for the full optoelectronic analysis of quantum-structured solar cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
October 2024
Jiangsu Engineering Research Center of Light-Electricity-Heat Energy-Converting Materials and Applications, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China.
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have recently emerged as highly efficient and cutting-edge photovoltaic technology. In inverted PSCs, challenges are focused on the insufficient interface contact and energy level misalignment between the electron transport layer (ETL) and the metal electrode. Hence, the cathode interfacial layer (CIL) plays a crucial role in regulating energy levels and enabling charge extraction in PSCs.
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