1
|
Wibowo A, Marsudi MA, Amal MI, Ananda MB, Stephanie R, Ardy H, Diguna LJ. ZnO nanostructured materials for emerging solar cell applications. RSC Adv 2020; 10:42838-42859. [PMID: 35514924 PMCID: PMC9058181 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra07689a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) has been considered as one of the potential materials in solar cell applications, owing to its relatively high conductivity, electron mobility, stability against photo-corrosion and availability at low-cost. Different structures of ZnO materials have been engineered at the nanoscale, and then applied on the conducting substrate as a photoanode. On the other hand, the ZnO nanomaterials directly grown on the substrate have been attractive due to their unique electron pathways, which suppress the influence of surface states typically found in the former case. Herein, we review the recent progress of ZnO nanostructured materials in emerging solar cell applications, such as sensitized and heterojunction architectures, including those embedded with promising perovskite materials. The remarkable advancement in each solar cell architecture is highlighted towards achieving high power conversion efficiency and operational stability. We also discuss the foremost bottleneck for further improvements and the future outlook for large-scale practical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arie Wibowo
- Material Science and Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132 Indonesia
- Research Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Institut Teknologi Bandung Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132 Indonesia
| | - Maradhana Agung Marsudi
- Material Science and Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132 Indonesia
| | - Muhamad Ikhlasul Amal
- Research Center for Metallurgy and Materials, The Indonesian Institute of Sciences Puspitek Serpong Banten 15314 Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Bagas Ananda
- Material Science and Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132 Indonesia
| | - Ruth Stephanie
- Material Science and Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132 Indonesia
| | - Husaini Ardy
- Material Science and Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132 Indonesia
| | - Lina Jaya Diguna
- Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Universitas Prasetiya Mulya Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama, BSD City Tangerang 15339 Indonesia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sow BM, Lim KY, Wu J, Sow CH. Electrically Tailored Metachrosis in ZnO-C Nanowires. ACS NANO 2020; 14:5845-5854. [PMID: 32293868 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c00983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Carbon incorporated zinc oxide (ZnO:C) nanowires (NWs) are found to be remarkable morphing NWs. We show that the physical properties of ZnO:C NWs are engineered via the passage of electric current to produce fluorescence differences and negative differential resistance as well as electroluminescence. When a ZnO:C NW is subjected to an applied voltage bias and under ultraviolet (UV) excitation, electron-hole separation due to the voltage biasing suppresses their fluorescence at low voltages. At medium voltages, the NW exhibits metastable chemical changes that translates to tunable and reversible optical alterations akin to metachrosis found in chameleons. Concurrently, the NW displays electrical alterations with negative differential resistance behaviors. At higher voltages, these NWs are permanently modified with distinct heterogeneous chemical stoichiometry, fluorescence, and electronic properties. Such heterogeneity within the NW allows for emergence of junctions capable of electroluminescence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kim Yong Lim
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117542
| | - Jianfeng Wu
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117542
| | - Chorng-Haur Sow
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117542
- Center for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Center, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Consonni V, Briscoe J, Kärber E, Li X, Cossuet T. ZnO nanowires for solar cells: a comprehensive review. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 30:362001. [PMID: 31051478 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab1f2e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
As an abundant and non-toxic wide band gap semiconductor with a high electron mobility, ZnO in the form of nanowires (NWs) has emerged as an important electron transporting material in a vast number of nanostructured solar cells. ZnO NWs are grown by low-cost chemical deposition techniques and their integration into solar cells presents, in principle, significant advantages including efficient optical absorption through light trapping phenomena and enhanced charge carrier separation and collection. However, they also raise some significant issues related to the control of the interface properties and to the technological integration. The present review is intended to report a detailed analysis of the state-of-the-art of all types of nanostructured solar cells integrating ZnO NWs, including extremely thin absorber solar cells, quantum dot solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, organic and hybrid solar cells, as well as halide perovskite-based solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Consonni
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, LMGP, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee YH, Ha M, Song I, Lee JH, Won Y, Lim S, Ko H, Oh JH. High-Performance Hybrid Photovoltaics with Efficient Interfacial Contacts between Vertically Aligned ZnO Nanowire Arrays and Organic Semiconductors. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:9996-10002. [PMID: 31460092 PMCID: PMC6648691 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid photovoltaics (HPVs) incorporating both organic and inorganic semiconducting materials have attracted much attention as next-generation photovoltaics because of their advantage of combining both materials. The hybridization of ZnO nanowires (NWs) and organic semiconductors is expected to be a suitable approach to overcome the limited exciton diffusion length and low electron mobility associated with current organic photovoltaics. The use of ZnO NWs allows researchers to tune nanoscale dimensions more precisely and to achieve rod-to-rod spacing below 10 nm. However, the perfect incorporation of organic semiconductors into densely packed ZnO NW arrays has yet to be achieved. In this study, we report the fabrication of ZnO NW arrays and various organic heterojunction-based HPVs using the feasible and effective vacuum-assisted double coating (VADC) method, achieving full coverage of the organic semiconductors on the compact ZnO NW arrays. The newly proposed VADC method ensures perfect infiltration and full coverage of the organic semiconductors on the densely packed NW arrays. Compared with the conventional single spin-coating process, the use of the VADC method led to 11 and 14% increases in the power conversion efficiency of P3HT:PCBM- and PBDTTT-C-T:PC71BM-based HPVs, respectively. Our studies provide a feasible method for the fabrication of efficient HPVs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Ho Lee
- School
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic
of Korea
- Center for
Advanced Soft Electronics, Pohang University
of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Gyongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjeong Ha
- School
of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan
National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Inho Song
- School
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic
of Korea
| | - Jeong Hun Lee
- School
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic
of Korea
| | - Yousang Won
- School
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic
of Korea
| | - Seongdong Lim
- School
of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan
National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunhyub Ko
- School
of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan
National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- E-mail: (H.K)
| | - Joon Hak Oh
- School
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic
of Korea
- E-mail: (J.H.O.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang S, Pelligra CI, Feng X, Osuji CO. Directed Assembly of Hybrid Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1705794. [PMID: 29520839 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201705794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid nanomaterials are molecular or colloidal-level combinations of organic and inorganic materials, or otherwise strongly dissimilar materials. They are often, though not exclusively, anisotropic in shape. A canonical example is an inorganic nanorod or nanosheet sheathed in, or decorated by, a polymeric or other organic material, where both the inorganic and organic components are important for the properties of the system. Hybrid nanomaterials and nanocomposites have generated strong interest for a broad range of applications due to their functional properties. Generating macroscopic assemblies of hybrid nanomaterials and nanomaterials in nanocomposites with controlled orientation and placement by directed assembly is important for realizing such applications. Here, a survey of critical issues and themes in directed assembly of hybrid nanomaterials and nanocomposites is provided, highlighting recent efforts in this field with particular emphasis on scalable methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanju Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA
| | - Candice I Pelligra
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Xunda Feng
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Chinedum O Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
She P, Xu K, Yin S, Shang Y, He Q, Zeng S, Sun H, Liu Z. Bioinspired self-standing macroporous Au/ZnO sponges for enhanced photocatalysis. J Colloid Interface Sci 2018; 514:40-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
7
|
Zhong P, Ma X, Xi H. Passivating ZnO Surface States by C60 Pyrrolidine Tris-Acid for Hybrid Solar Cells Based on Poly(3-hexylthiophene)/ZnO Nanorod Arrays. Polymers (Basel) 2017; 10:E4. [PMID: 30966038 PMCID: PMC6415000 DOI: 10.3390/polym10010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Construction of ordered electron acceptors is a feasible way to solve the issue of phase separation in polymer solar cells by using vertically-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs). However, the inert charge transfer between conducting polymer and ZnO limits the performance enhancement of this type of hybrid solar cells. In this work, a fullerene derivative named C60 pyrrolidine tris-acid is used to modify the interface of ZnO/poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). Results indicate that the C60 modification passivates the surface defects of ZnO and improves its intrinsic fluorescence. The quenching efficiency of P3HT photoluminescence is enhanced upon C60 functionalization, suggesting a more efficient charge transfer occurs across the modified P3HT/ZnO interface. Furthermore, the fullerene modified hybrid solar cell based on P3HT/ZnO NRAs displays substantially-enhanced performance as compared to the unmodified one and the devices with other modifiers, which is contributed to retarded recombination and enhanced exciton separation as evidenced by electrochemical impedance spectra. Therefore, fullerene passivation is a promising method to ameliorate the connection between conjugated polymers and metal oxides, and is applicable in diverse areas, such as solar cells, transistors, and light-emitting dioxides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhong
- School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Xidian University, 266 Xinglong Section of Xifeng Road, Xi'an 710126, Shaanxi, China.
- Key Labof Wide Band-Gap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiaohua Ma
- School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Xidian University, 266 Xinglong Section of Xifeng Road, Xi'an 710126, Shaanxi, China.
- Key Labof Wide Band-Gap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, Shaanxi, China.
| | - He Xi
- School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Xidian University, 266 Xinglong Section of Xifeng Road, Xi'an 710126, Shaanxi, China.
- Key Labof Wide Band-Gap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Xu W, Tan F, Liu X, Zhang W, Qu S, Wang Z, Wang Z. Efficient Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Solar Cell Integrating Polymer Nanowires and Inorganic Nanotetrapods. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2017; 12:11. [PMID: 28058645 PMCID: PMC5216000 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-016-1795-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Constructing a highly efficient bulk-heterojunction is of critical importance to the hybrid organic/inorganic solar cells. Here in this work, we introduce a novel hybrid architecture containing P3HT nanowire and CdSe nanotetrapod as bicontinuous charge channels for holes and electrons, respectively. Compared to the traditionally applied P3HT molecules, the well crystallized P3HT nanowires qualify an enhanced light absorption at the long wavelength as well as strengthened charge carrier transport in the hybrid active layer. Accordingly, based on efficient dissociation of photogenerated excitons, the interpercolation of these two nano-building blocks allows a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 1.7% in the hybrid solar cell, up to 42% enhancement compared to the reference solar cell with traditional P3HT molecules as electron donor. Our work provides a promising hybrid structure for efficient organic/inorganic bulk-heterojunction solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weizhe Xu
- Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Technique, Department of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Furui Tan
- Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Technique, Department of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
| | - Xiansheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Technique, Department of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Weifeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Technique, Department of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Shengchun Qu
- Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhijie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhanguo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cox R, Olson GT, Pfau M, Eshaghi N, Barcus K, Ramirez D, Fernando R, Zhang S. Solution-Based Large-Area Assembly of Coaxial Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Nanowires for Fast Ambipolar Charge Transport. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:16397-16403. [PMID: 28467710 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b01413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Donor-acceptor interfacial microstructures and fast ambipolar charge transport are pivotal in determining the device performance of inorganic-organic hybrid photovoltaics. Here, we report on a series of one-dimensional coaxial p-n junction core-shell nanohybrids formed by direct side-on attachment of carboxylated poly(3-alkylthiophene)s onto single-crystalline ZnO nanowires. The diameter of pristine ZnO nanowires is ∼30 nm, and the conjugated polymer forms a 2-10 nm shell around each nanowire. Spectroscopic studies on the resulting core-shell hybrid nanowires show an elongated conjugation length of the poly(3-alkylthiophene) backbone and fast electron transfer via ordered donor-acceptor interfaces. Hybrid nanowires in suspensions spontaneously undergo phase transitions from isotropic to nematic liquid crystalline phases via a biphasic region with increasing concentration. The unique liquid crystalline elasticity of nanohybrids results in large-area monodomain structures of aligned hybrid nanowires under simple shear flow, which are maintained in the dried film used for device fabrication. These methodologies provide a mechanism for controlling donor-acceptor interfaces and exploiting lyotropic liquid crystallinity for solution-based processing of large-area alignment of photovoltaic elements with anisotropic charge transport for hybrid photovoltaic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Cox
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Grant T Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Michaela Pfau
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Nima Eshaghi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Kyle Barcus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Dania Ramirez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Raymond Fernando
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Shanju Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li H, Bredas JL. Comparison of the Impact of Zinc Vacancies on Charge Separation and Charge Transfer at ZnO/Sexithienyl and ZnO/Fullerene Interfaces. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2016; 28:3928-3936. [PMID: 26552051 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201503262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The impact of surface zinc vacancies on charge transfer and charge separation at donor/ZnO and acceptor/ZnO interfaces is identified via density functional theory calculations. The results show their effect to be related to the stronger internal electric field present near these vacancies. Thus, such surface defects can have a significant negative impact on the performance of hybrid solar cells using ZnO as electron acceptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0400, USA
| | - Jean-Luc Bredas
- Solar and Photovoltaics Engineering Research Center, Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology-KAUST, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Liu J, Li N, Goodman MD, Zhang HG, Epstein ES, Huang B, Pan Z, Kim J, Choi JH, Huang X, Liu J, Hsia KJ, Dillon SJ, Braun PV. Mechanically and chemically robust sandwich-structured C@Si@C nanotube array Li-ion battery anodes. ACS NANO 2015; 9:1985-1994. [PMID: 25639798 DOI: 10.1021/nn507003z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Stability and high energy densities are essential qualities for emerging battery electrodes. Because of its high specific capacity, silicon has been considered a promising anode candidate. However, the several-fold volume changes during lithiation and delithiation leads to fractures and continuous formation of an unstable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, resulting in rapid capacity decay. Here, we present a carbon-silicon-carbon (C@Si@C) nanotube sandwich structure that addresses the mechanical and chemical stability issues commonly associated with Si anodes. The C@Si@C nanotube array exhibits a capacity of ∼2200 mAh g(-1) (∼750 mAh cm(-3)), which significantly exceeds that of a commercial graphite anode, and a nearly constant Coulombic efficiency of ∼98% over 60 cycles. In addition, the C@Si@C nanotube array gives much better capacity and structure stability compared to the Si nanotubes without carbon coatings, the ZnO@C@Si@C nanorods, a Si thin film on Ni foam, and C@Si and Si@C nanotubes. In situ SEM during cycling shows that the tubes expand both inward and outward upon lithiation, as well as elongate, and then revert back to their initial size and shape after delithiation, suggesting stability during volume changes. The mechanical modeling indicates the overall plastic strain in a nanotube is much less than in a nanorod, which may significantly reduce low-cycle fatigue. The sandwich-structured nanotube design is quite general, and may serve as a guide for many emerging anode and cathode systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinyun Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, ‡Department of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, §Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, ⊥Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sliz R, Eneh C, Suzuki Y, Czajkowski J, Fabritius T, Kathirgamanathan P, Nathan A, Myllyla R, Jabbour G. Large area quantitative analysis of nanostructured thin-films. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra16018e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Proposed and verified method offers an unique quantitative large scale nanostructures' evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafal Sliz
- Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques Laboratory
- University of Oulu
- 90570 Oulu
- Finland
| | - Chibuzor Eneh
- Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques Laboratory
- University of Oulu
- 90570 Oulu
- Finland
| | - Yuji Suzuki
- London Centre for Nanotechnology
- University College London
- London WC1H 0AH
- UK
| | - Jakub Czajkowski
- Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques Laboratory
- University of Oulu
- 90570 Oulu
- Finland
| | - Tapio Fabritius
- Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques Laboratory
- University of Oulu
- 90570 Oulu
- Finland
| | | | - Arokia Nathan
- Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics
- Cambridge University
- Cambridge CB3 0FA
- UK
| | - Risto Myllyla
- Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques Laboratory
- University of Oulu
- 90570 Oulu
- Finland
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pelligra CI, Huang S, Singer JP, Mayo AT, Mu RR, Osuji CO. Scalable high-fidelity growth of semiconductor nanorod arrays with controlled geometry for photovoltaic devices using block copolymers. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2014; 10:4304-4309. [PMID: 25059670 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201400956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Controlled density semiconducting oxide arrays are highly desirable for matching nanometer length scales specific to emerging applications. This work demonstrates a facile one-step method for templating hydrothermal growth which provides arrays with high-fidelity tuning of nanorod spacing and diameter. This solution-based method leverages the selective swelling of block copolymer micelle templates, which can be rationally designed by tuning molecular weight and volume fraction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Candice I Pelligra
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, 9 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
In-Situ Hydrothermal Growth of Bi-Hierarchical ZnO Nanoarchitecture with Surface Modification for Efficient Hybrid Solar Cells. Electrochim Acta 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2014.08.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
15
|
Ambade SB, Ambade RB, Lee W, Mane RS, Yoon SC, Lee SH. Development of highly transparent seedless ZnO nanorods engineered for inverted polymer solar cells. NANOSCALE 2014; 6:12130-12141. [PMID: 25201162 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr03080j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This work reports on inverted polymer solar cells (IPSCs) based on highly transparent (>95%), hydrophobic, seedless ZnO nanorods (NRs) as cathode buffers with extremely enhanced electrical characteristics. The transparent NR suspension with stability for more than a year is achieved by adding a small amount of 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) acetic acid (MEA). The ability of the stable nanorod suspension to easily spin-coat is certainly an advance to the fabrication of films over large areas and to replace the conventional seeding method to grow one-dimensional nanostructures for use in optoelectronic devices. We observe a strong correlation between the photovoltaic performance and the transparency of ZnO NRs. IPSCs using poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C60 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) mixtures in the active layer and transparent (MEA-capped) ZnO NRs as cathode buffers exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 3.24% under simulated AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm(-2) illumination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Swapnil B Ambade
- School of Semiconductor and Chemical Engineering, Chonbuk National University, 664-14, 1-ga Deokjin-dong, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-756, Republic of Korea.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Jin MJ, Jo J, Kim JH, An KS, Jeong MS, Kim J, Yoo JW. Effects of TiO₂ interfacial atomic layers on device performances and exciton dynamics in ZnO nanorod polymer solar cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:11649-56. [PMID: 24987829 DOI: 10.1021/am5024435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The performances of organic electronic and/or photonic devices rely heavily on the nature of the inorganic/organic interface. Control over such hybrid interface properties has been an important issue for optimizing the performances of polymer solar cells bearing metal-oxide conducting channels. In this work, we studied the effects of an interfacial atomic layer in an inverted polymer solar cell based on a ZnO nanorod array on the device performance as well as the dynamics of the photoexcited carriers. We adopted highly conformal TiO2 interfacial layer using plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) to improve the compatibility between the solution-prepared active layer and the ZnO nanorod array. The TiO2 interfacial layer facilitated exciton separation and subsequent charge transfer into the nanorod channel, and it suppressed recombination of photogenerated carriers at the interface. The presence of even 1 PEALD cycle of TiO2 coating substantially improved the short-circuit current density (Jsc), open circuit voltage (Voc), and fill factor (FF), leading to more than 2-fold enhancement in the power conversion efficiency (PCE). The dynamics of the photoexcited carriers in our devices were studied using transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. The TA results clearly revealed that the TiO2 coating played a key role as an efficient quencher of photogenerated excitons, thereby reducing the exciton lifetime. The electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) provided further evidence that the TiO2 atomic interfacial layer promoted the charge transfer at the interface by suppressing recombination loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Jin Jin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering-Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology , Ulsan 688-798, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Jin G, Wei HT, Na TY, Sun HZ, Zhang H, Yang B. High-efficiency aqueous-processed hybrid solar cells with an enormous Herschel infrared contribution. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:8606-8612. [PMID: 24809792 DOI: 10.1021/am501408v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous-processed solar cells have evolved into a new generation of promising and renewable energy materials due to their excellent optical, electrical, and low-cost properties. In this work, Cd0.75Hg0.25Te colloid quantum dots (CQDs) were incorporated into a water-soluble conjugated polymer with broad absorption and high charge-carrier-mobility (5 × 10(-4) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)) to obtain a composite with an absorption spectrum ranging from 300 to 1200 nm. The matched energy level between polymer and CQDs ensured the effective electron transfer, while the interpenetrating network structure formed via heat treatment guaranteed the quick electron transport. Moreover, the formation process of the interpenetrating network was systematically monitored by using AFM and TEM instruments and further confirmed through the measurement of charge-carrier-mobility of the active layers. In combination with the surface modification of a single Cd0.75Hg0.25Te layer, this aqueous-processed solar cell showed excellent photovoltaic response and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) reached 2.7% under AM 1.5 G illumination (100 mW cm(-2)). Especially, the contribution of the Herschel infrared region (780-1100 nm) to the photocurrent was as high as 15.04%. This device showed the highest PCE among organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells (HSCs) based on CdxHg1-xTe CQDs and the highest near infrared (NIR) contribution among aqueous-processed HSCs, indicating the enormous potential of taking advantage of NIR energy in a solar spectrum and a promising application in solar cells especially used in cloudy weather.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gan Jin
- College of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University , Changchun 130024, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Musselman KP, Albert-Seifried S, Hoye RLZ, Sadhanala A, Muñoz-Rojas D, MacManus-Driscoll JL, Friend RH. Improved Exciton Dissociation at Semiconducting Polymer:ZnO Donor:Acceptor Interfaces via Nitrogen Doping of ZnO. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2014; 24:3562-3570. [PMID: 25520604 PMCID: PMC4228972 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201303994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Revised: 01/05/2014] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Exciton dissociation at the zinc oxide/poly(3-hexylthiophene) (ZnO/P3HT) interface as a function of nitrogen doping of the zinc oxide, which decreases the electron concentration from approximately 1019 cm-3 to 1017 cm-3, is reported. Exciton dissociation and device photocurrent are strongly improved with nitrogen doping. This improved dissociation of excitons in the conjugated polymer is found to result from enhanced light-induced de-trapping of electrons from the surface of the nitrogen-doped ZnO. The ability to improve the surface properties of ZnO by introducing a simple nitrogen dopant has general applicability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P Musselman
- Department of Physics University of Cambridge Cavendish Laboratory JJ Thomson Ave Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK E-mail:
| | - Sebastian Albert-Seifried
- Department of Physics University of Cambridge Cavendish Laboratory JJ Thomson Ave Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK E-mail:
| | - Robert L Z Hoye
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy University of Cambridge 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Aditya Sadhanala
- Department of Physics University of Cambridge Cavendish Laboratory JJ Thomson Ave Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK E-mail:
| | - David Muñoz-Rojas
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy University of Cambridge 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK ; Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Barcelona ICMAB-CSIC, Campus de la UAB Bellaterra, 08193, Spain
| | - Judith L MacManus-Driscoll
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy University of Cambridge 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Richard H Friend
- Department of Physics University of Cambridge Cavendish Laboratory JJ Thomson Ave Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Nanocomposites for Photovoltaic Cells. MATERIALS 2014; 7:2747-2771. [PMID: 28788591 PMCID: PMC5453346 DOI: 10.3390/ma7042747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Revised: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic/organic hybrid solar cells have attracted a lot of interest due to their potential in combining the advantages of both components. To understand the key issues in association with photoinduced charge separation/transportation processes and to improve overall power conversion efficiency, various combinations with nanostructures of hybrid systems have been investigated. Here, we briefly review the structures of hybrid nanocomposites studied so far, and attempt to associate the power conversion efficiency with these nanostructures. Subsequently, we are then able to summarize the factors for optimizing the performance of inorganic/organic hybrid solar cells.
Collapse
|
20
|
Shoaee S, Briscoe J, Durrant JR, Dunn S. Acoustic enhancement of polymer/ZnO nanorod photovoltaic device performance. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:263-8. [PMID: 24194369 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201303304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic vibrations are shown to enhance the photovoltaic efficiency of a P3HT/ZnO nanorod solar cell by up to 45%, correlated to a three-fold increase in charge carrier lifetime. This is assigned to the generation of piezoelectric dipoles in the ZnO nanorods, indicating that the efficiency of solar cells may be enhanced in the presence of ambient vibrations by the use of piezoelectric materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Safa Shoaee
- Centre for Plastic Electronics, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
D'Amico L, Colonna D, De Angelis R, Casalboni M, De Matteis F, Di Carlo A, Prosposito P. Bragg grating nanostructuring of the TiO 2 layer in dye sensitized solar cells: an efficient method to enhance light harvesting. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra07785g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The patterned cell shows increased efficiency due to alternative light paths in the TiO2 layer arising from diffraction effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L. D'Amico
- Industrial Engineering Department and INSTM
- University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
- Rome, Italy
| | - D. Colonna
- Electronic Engineering Department
- University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
- Rome, Italy
| | - R. De Angelis
- Industrial Engineering Department and INSTM
- University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
- Rome, Italy
| | - M. Casalboni
- Industrial Engineering Department and INSTM
- University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
- Rome, Italy
| | - F. De Matteis
- Industrial Engineering Department and INSTM
- University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
- Rome, Italy
| | - A. Di Carlo
- Electronic Engineering Department
- University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
- Rome, Italy
| | - P. Prosposito
- Industrial Engineering Department and INSTM
- University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
- Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Redeker ND, Danesh CD, Ding Y, Zhang S. Anisotropic core–shell nanocomposites by direct covalent attachment of a side-functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene) onto ZnO nanowires. POLYMER 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2013.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
23
|
Pelligra CI, Majewski PW, Osuji CO. Large area vertical alignment of ZnO nanowires in semiconducting polymer thin films directed by magnetic fields. NANOSCALE 2013; 5:10511-7. [PMID: 24057068 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr03119e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate the use of magnetic fields for the directed assembly of ZnO nanowires in semiconducting polymer films suitable for ordered bulk heterojunction photovoltaics. Using rotational field annealing, Co-doped ZnO nanowires with negative paramagnetic anisotropy were successfully aligned out-of-plane with respect to the substrate and polymer film.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Candice I Pelligra
- Yale University, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 9 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT 0651.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Chen DW, Wang TC, Liao WP, Wu JJ. Synergistic effect of dual interfacial modifications with room-temperature-grown epitaxial ZnO and adsorbed indoline dye for ZnO nanorod array/P3HT hybrid solar cell. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:8359-65. [PMID: 23937447 DOI: 10.1021/am402265v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
ZnO nanorod (NR)/poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) hybrid solar cells with interfacial modifications are investigated in this work. The ZnO NR arrays are modified with room-temperature (RT)-grown epitaxial ZnO shells or/and D149 dye molecules prior to the P3HT infiltration. A synergistic effect of the dual modifications on the efficiency of the ZnO NR/P3HT solar cell is observed. The open-circuit voltage and fill factor are considerable improved through the RT-grown ZnO and D149 modifications in sequence on the ZnO NR array, which brings about a 2-fold enhancement of the efficiency of the ZnO NR/P3HT solar cell. We suggested that the more suitable surface of RT-grown ZnO for D149 adsorption, the chemical compatibility of D149 and P3HT, and the elevated conduction band edge of the RT-grown ZnO/D149-modified ZnO NR array construct the superior interfacial morphology and energetics in the RT-grown ZnO/D149-modified ZnO NR/P3HT hybrid solar cell, resulting in the synergistic effect on the cell efficiency. An efficiency of 1.16% is obtained in the RT-grown ZnO/D149-modified ZnO NR/P3HT solar cell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dian-Wei Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University , Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hartel M, Chen S, Swerdlow B, Hsu HY, Manders J, Schanze K, So F. Defect-induced loss mechanisms in polymer-inorganic planar heterojunction solar cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:7215-7218. [PMID: 23845167 DOI: 10.1021/am4015605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The effect of ZnO defects on photoexcited charge carrier recombination and forward induced charge transfer was studied in organic-inorganic bilayer organic heterojunction solar cells. Decreased bimolecular recombination via passivation of ZnO nanopariticle defects resulted in longer carrier lifetime as determined by transient photovoltage (TPV) measurements. It was also found by time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurements that defect passivation decreased the fluorescence lifetime which indicated higher exciton dissociation efficiency. Through passivation of the ZnO nanoparticles defects, the two loss mechanisms were reduced and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is significantly enhanced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hartel
- Department of Materials Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Yin H, Wang Q, Geburt S, Milz S, Ruttens B, Degutis G, D'Haen J, Shan L, Punniyakoti S, D'Olieslaeger M, Wagner P, Ronning C, Boyen HG. Controlled synthesis of ultrathin ZnO nanowires using micellar gold nanoparticles as catalyst templates. NANOSCALE 2013; 5:7046-7053. [PMID: 23807664 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr01938a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a simple and effective approach to control the diameter of ultrathin ZnO nanowires with high aspect ratios and high densities over large areas. Diblock copolymer-based nanoparticle arrays exhibiting a high degree of hexagonal order and offering easy control of particle size (typically 1-10 nm) and interparticle spacing (25-150 nm) are utilized as nanocatalysts for the subsequent growth of semiconductor nanowires. The as-grown ZnO nanowires exhibit a single crystal hexagonal wurtzite structure and grow along the [0002] direction. Facetted catalyst particles were observed at the tip of the nanowires after synthesis, thus suggesting a catalyst-assisted vapor-solid-solid (VSS) rather than a vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism, the latter being frequently used in semiconductor nanowire production. Such a growth process allows us to easily prepare ultrathin ZnO nanowires with tunable diameters well below 10 nm by taking advantage of the inherent size control of the micellar method during deposition of the catalyst nanoparticles. Raman spectroscopy reveals a phonon confinement effect as the diameter of nanowires decreases. Photoluminescence spectra of these ultrathin nanowires indicate a blue shift of the free excitons and their phonon replicas by 37 meV induced by quantum confinement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yin
- Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Tan MJ, Zhong S, Li J, Chen Z, Chen W. Air-stable efficient inverted polymer solar cells using solution-processed nanocrystalline ZnO interfacial layer. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:4696-4701. [PMID: 23646864 DOI: 10.1021/am303004r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In this work, efficient bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSC) in inverted configuration have been demonstrated. Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.7% is reported for OSC employing silver top electrodes, molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) as the hole-transport interlayer (HTL), active layer comprising of poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as well as a nanocrystalline solution-synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle (NP) film as the electron-transport layer (ETL). By using solution-processable ZnO crystalline NPs as ETL, we can eliminate the typical high temperature processing/annealing step, which is widely adopted in the conventional ZnO ETL fabrication process via the sol-gel method. Such highly crystalline ZnO NP films can enhance charge collection at the electrodes. It is also found that inverted OSCs exhibit greater air stability and lifetime performance compared to the OSC employing the normal structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mein Jin Tan
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR Singapore, 3 Research Link, Singapore
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Berhe SA, Nag S, Molinets Z, Youngblood WJ. Influence of seeding and bath conditions in hydrothermal growth of very thin (∼20 nm) single-crystalline rutile TiO₂ nanorod films. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:1181-1185. [PMID: 23387875 DOI: 10.1021/am302315q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
New seeding conditions have been examined for the hydrothermal growth of single-crystalline rutile TiO₂ nanorods. Rutile nanorods of ∼20 nm diameter are grown from seed layers consisting of either (A) TiO₂ or MnOOH nanocrystals deposited from suspension, or (B) a continuous sheet of TiO₂. These seed layers are more effective for seeding the growth of rutile nanorods compared to the use of bare F-SnO₂ substrates. The TiO₂ sheet seeding allows lower concentration of titanium alkoxide precursor relative to previously reported procedures, but fusion of the resulting TiO₂ nanorods into bundles occurs at higher precursor concentration and/or longer growth duration. Performance of polymer-oxide solar cells prepared using these nanorods shows a dependence on the extent of bundling as well as rod height.
Collapse
|
29
|
Kim H, Jeong H, An TK, Park CE, Yong K. Hybrid-type quantum-dot cosensitized ZnO nanowire solar cell with enhanced visible-light harvesting. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:268-75. [PMID: 23231810 DOI: 10.1021/am301960h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A polymer hybrid quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell was developed using CdSe/CdS/ZnO nanowires as a photoanode and regioregular P3HT as a conjugated polymer. The P3HT polymer was used as a hole transport material to replace the liquid electrolyte in quantum dot sensitized solar cells, CdSe/CdS acts as a cosensitizer, which enhances light harvesting in the visible range, and the ZnO nanowires provide a direct pathway for electron transport. Through an adequate cascade bandgap structure of the photoanode, the photoexcited electrons were effectively separated from the electron/hole pairs and transported under illumination. The remaining holes at the anode were transported by the conjugated polymer P3HT without any intermediate potential loss. The fabrication of the hybrid solar cell was optimized with various experimental conditions, including the length of the ZnO nanowires, quantum sensitizers, P3HT filling conditions, and electrolytes. The optimally obtained hybrid solar cells exhibited 1.5% power-conversion efficiency under AM 1.5G of 100 mW/cm(2) intensity. The fabricated hybrid cells exhibited highly durable cell performances, even after 1 month under atmospheric conditions, whereas the liquid junction quantum dot sensitized solar cells exhibited a significant degradation in their performances during the first 2 weeks immediately after fabrication. High open-circuit voltage and fill factor values of our hybrid quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell indicate that the applied hole transport layer efficiently dissociates electron/hole pairs at the interface and retards the interfacial charge recombination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heejin Kim
- Surface Chemistry Laboratory of Electronic Materials (SCHEMA), Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 790-784, Korea
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lu W, Jiang C, Caudle D, Tang C, Sun Q, Xu J, Song J. Controllable growth of laterally aligned zinc oxide nanorod arrays on a selected surface of the silicon substrate by a catalyst-free vapor solid process – a technique for growing nanocircuits. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2013; 15:13532-7. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cp51558c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
31
|
Li Y, Li S, Jin L, Murowchick JB, Peng Z. Carbon nanoparticles as an interfacial layer between TiO2-coated ZnO nanorod arrays and conjugated polymers for high-photocurrent hybrid solar cells. RSC Adv 2013. [DOI: 10.1039/c3ra42614a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
|
32
|
Zhong P, Que W, Liang YN, Yin X, Liao Y, Kong LB, Hu X. Origin of the boosted exciton separation at fullerene molecule modified poly(3-hexylthiophene)/ZnO interfaces. RSC Adv 2013. [DOI: 10.1039/c3ra42196a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
33
|
Mariani G, Wang Y, Wong PS, Lech A, Hung CH, Shapiro J, Prikhodko S, El-Kady M, Kaner RB, Huffaker DL. Three-dimensional core-shell hybrid solar cells via controlled in situ materials engineering. NANO LETTERS 2012; 12:3581-6. [PMID: 22697614 DOI: 10.1021/nl301251q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional core-shell organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells with tunable properties are demonstrated via electropolymerization. Air-stable poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) shells with controlled thicknesses are rapidly coated onto periodic GaAs nanopillar arrays conformally, preserving the vertical 3D structure. The properties of the organic layer can be readily tuned in situ, allowing for (1) the lowering of the highest occupied molecular orbital level (|ΔE| ∼ 0.28 eV), leading to the increase of open-circuit voltage (V(OC)), and (2) an improvement in PEDOT conductivity that results in enhanced short-circuit current densities (J(SC)). The incorporation of various anionic dopants in the polymer during the coating process also enables the tailoring of the polymer/semiconductor interface transport properties. Systematic tuning of the device properties results in a J(SC) of 13.6 mA cm(-2), V(OC) of 0.63 V, peak external quantum efficiency of 58.5%, leading to a power conversion efficiencies of 4.11%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Mariani
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Baeten L, Conings B, D'Haen J, De Dobbelaere C, Hardy A, Manca JV, Van Bael MK. Tuning the Dimensions of ZnO Nanorod Arrays for Application in Hybrid Photovoltaics. Chemphyschem 2012; 13:2777-83. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201200102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
35
|
Fu W, Shi Y, Qiu W, Wang L, Nan Y, Shi M, Li H, Chen H. High efficiency hybrid solar cells using post-deposition ligand exchange by monothiols. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2012; 14:12094-8. [DOI: 10.1039/c2cp42487h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
36
|
Martínez-Ferrero E, Forneli A, Boissière C, Grosso D, Sanchez C, Palomares E. Tailored 3D interface for efficiency improvement in encapsulation-free hybrid light-emitting diodes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2011; 3:3248-3251. [PMID: 21806055 DOI: 10.1021/am200746d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The modification of the planar organic/inorganic interface of the hybrid light-emitting diodes by the addition of a tailored nanoporous crystalline metal oxide increases up to 1 order of magnitude the efficiency of the resulting devices. In this Letter, we present the preparation and characterization of the novel controlled 3D interface and discuss how the interaction between the metal oxide and the polymer at the interface results in such an improvement.
Collapse
|