1
|
Prestopino G, Orsini A, Barettin D, Arrabito G, Pignataro B, Medaglia PG. Vertically Aligned Nanowires and Quantum Dots: Promises and Results in Light Energy Harvesting. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:4297. [PMID: 37374481 DOI: 10.3390/ma16124297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis of crystals with a high surface-to-volume ratio is essential for innovative, high-performance electronic devices and sensors. The easiest way to achieve this in integrated devices with electronic circuits is through the synthesis of high-aspect-ratio nanowires aligned vertically to the substrate surface. Such surface structuring is widely employed for the fabrication of photoanodes for solar cells, either combined with semiconducting quantum dots or metal halide perovskites. In this review, we focus on wet chemistry recipes for the growth of vertically aligned nanowires and technologies for their surface functionalization with quantum dots, highlighting the procedures that yield the best results in photoconversion efficiencies on rigid and flexible substrates. We also discuss the effectiveness of their implementation. Among the three main materials used for the fabrication of nanowire-quantum dot solar cells, ZnO is the most promising, particularly due to its piezo-phototronic effects. Techniques for functionalizing the surfaces of nanowires with quantum dots still need to be refined to be effective in covering the surface and practical to implement. The best results have been obtained from slow multi-step local drop casting. It is promising that good efficiencies have been achieved with both environmentally toxic lead-containing quantum dots and environmentally friendly zinc selenide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Prestopino
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via del Politecnico, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Orsini
- Università degli Studi "Niccolò Cusano", ATHENA European University, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Barettin
- Università degli Studi "Niccolò Cusano", ATHENA European University, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Pier Gianni Medaglia
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via del Politecnico, 00133 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kouao DS, Grochowska K, Siuzdak K. The Anodization of Thin Titania Layers as a Facile Process towards Semitransparent and Ordered Electrode Material. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:1131. [PMID: 35407248 PMCID: PMC9000737 DOI: 10.3390/nano12071131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Photoanodes consisting of titania nanotubes (TNTs) grown on transparent conductive oxides (TCO) by anodic oxidation are being widely investigated as a low-cost alternative to silicon-based materials, e.g., in solar light-harvesting applications. Intending to enhance the optical properties of those photoanodes, the modification of the surface chemistry or control of the geometrical characteristics of developed TNTs has been explored. In this review, the recent advancement in light-harvesting properties of transparent anodic TNTs formed onto TCO is summarized. The physical deposition methods such as magnetron sputtering, pulsed laser deposition and electron beam evaporation are the most reported for the deposition of Ti film onto TCO, which are subsequently anodized. A concise description of methods utilized to improve the adhesion of the deposited film and achieve TNT layers without cracks and delamination after the anodization is outlined. Then, the different models describing the formation mechanism of anodic TNTs are discussed with particular focus on the impact of the deposited Ti film thickness on the adhesion of TNTs. Finally, the effects of the modifications of both the surface chemistry and morphological features of materials on their photocatalyst and photovoltaic performances are discussed. For each section, experimental results obtained by different research groups are evoked.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dujearic-Stephane Kouao
- Centre for Plasma and Laser Engineering, The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Science, Fiszera 14 St., 80-231 Gdańsk, Poland; (K.G.); (K.S.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Döhler D, Triana A, Büttner P, Scheler F, Goerlitzer ESA, Harrer J, Vasileva A, Metwalli E, Gruber W, Unruh T, Manshina A, Vogel N, Bachmann J, Mínguez-Bacho I. A Self-Ordered Nanostructured Transparent Electrode of High Structural Quality and Corresponding Functional Performance. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2100487. [PMID: 33817974 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202100487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The preparation of a highly ordered nanostructured transparent electrode based on a combination of nanosphere lithography and anodization is presented. The size of perfectly ordered pore domains is improved by an order of magnitude with respect to the state of the art. The concomitantly reduced density of defect pores increases the fraction of pores that are in good electrical contact with the underlying transparent conductive substrate. This improvement in structural quality translates directly and linearly into an improved performance of energy conversion devices built from such electrodes in a linear manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Döhler
- D. Döhler, A. Triana, P. Büttner, F. Scheler, Prof. J. Bachmann, Dr. I. Mínguez-Bacho, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, IZNF, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andrés Triana
- D. Döhler, A. Triana, P. Büttner, F. Scheler, Prof. J. Bachmann, Dr. I. Mínguez-Bacho, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, IZNF, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pascal Büttner
- D. Döhler, A. Triana, P. Büttner, F. Scheler, Prof. J. Bachmann, Dr. I. Mínguez-Bacho, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, IZNF, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Florian Scheler
- D. Döhler, A. Triana, P. Büttner, F. Scheler, Prof. J. Bachmann, Dr. I. Mínguez-Bacho, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, IZNF, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eric S A Goerlitzer
- E. S. A. Goerlitzer, J. Harrer, Prof. N. Vogel, Institute of Particle Technology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 4, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Harrer
- E. S. A. Goerlitzer, J. Harrer, Prof. N. Vogel, Institute of Particle Technology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 4, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna Vasileva
- A. Vasileva, Prof. A. Manshina, Prof. J. Bachmann, Institute of Chemistry, Saint-Petersburg State University, Universitetskii pr. 26, St. Petersburg, 198504, Russia
| | - Ezzeldin Metwalli
- Dr. E. Metwalli, Dr. W. Gruber, Prof. T. Unruh, Institute for Crystallography and Structure Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstrasse 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Gruber
- Dr. E. Metwalli, Dr. W. Gruber, Prof. T. Unruh, Institute for Crystallography and Structure Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstrasse 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Unruh
- Dr. E. Metwalli, Dr. W. Gruber, Prof. T. Unruh, Institute for Crystallography and Structure Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstrasse 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alina Manshina
- A. Vasileva, Prof. A. Manshina, Prof. J. Bachmann, Institute of Chemistry, Saint-Petersburg State University, Universitetskii pr. 26, St. Petersburg, 198504, Russia
| | - Nicolas Vogel
- E. S. A. Goerlitzer, J. Harrer, Prof. N. Vogel, Institute of Particle Technology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 4, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julien Bachmann
- D. Döhler, A. Triana, P. Büttner, F. Scheler, Prof. J. Bachmann, Dr. I. Mínguez-Bacho, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, IZNF, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- A. Vasileva, Prof. A. Manshina, Prof. J. Bachmann, Institute of Chemistry, Saint-Petersburg State University, Universitetskii pr. 26, St. Petersburg, 198504, Russia
| | - Ignacio Mínguez-Bacho
- D. Döhler, A. Triana, P. Büttner, F. Scheler, Prof. J. Bachmann, Dr. I. Mínguez-Bacho, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, IZNF, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Büttner P, Scheler F, Pointer C, Döhler D, Yokosawa T, Spiecker E, Boix PP, Young ER, Mínguez-Bacho I, Bachmann J. ZnS Ultrathin Interfacial Layers for Optimizing Carrier Management in Sb 2S 3-based Photovoltaics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:11861-11868. [PMID: 33667064 PMCID: PMC7975279 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c21365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Antimony chalcogenides represent a family of materials of low toxicity and relative abundance, with a high potential for future sustainable solar energy conversion technology. However, solar cells based on antimony chalcogenides present open-circuit voltage losses that limit their efficiencies. These losses are attributed to several recombination mechanisms, with interfacial recombination being considered as one of the dominant processes. In this work, we exploit atomic layer deposition (ALD) to grow a series of ultrathin ZnS interfacial layers at the TiO2/Sb2S3 interface to mitigate interfacial recombination and to increase the carrier lifetime. ALD allows for very accurate control over the ZnS interlayer thickness on the ångström scale (0-1.5 nm) and to deposit highly pure Sb2S3. Our systematic study of the photovoltaic and optoelectronic properties of these devices by impedance spectroscopy and transient absorption concludes that the optimum ZnS interlayer thickness of 1.0 nm achieves the best balance between the beneficial effect of an increased recombination resistance at the interface and the deleterious barrier behavior of the wide-bandgap semiconductor ZnS. This optimization allows us to reach an overall power conversion efficiency of 5.09% in planar configuration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Büttner
- Friedrich-Alexander
University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy,
IZNF, Cauerstraße
3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Florian Scheler
- Friedrich-Alexander
University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy,
IZNF, Cauerstraße
3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Universidad
de Valencia, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales, Catedrático J. Beltrán
2, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Craig Pointer
- Lehigh
University, Department of Chemistry, 6 East Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Dirk Döhler
- Friedrich-Alexander
University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy,
IZNF, Cauerstraße
3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tadahiro Yokosawa
- Friedrich-Alexander
University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute
of Micro- and Nanostructure Research, and Center for Nanoanalysis
and Electron Microscopy (CENEM), IZNF, Cauerstraße 3, Erlangen, 91058 Germany
| | - Erdmann Spiecker
- Friedrich-Alexander
University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute
of Micro- and Nanostructure Research, and Center for Nanoanalysis
and Electron Microscopy (CENEM), IZNF, Cauerstraße 3, Erlangen, 91058 Germany
| | - Pablo P. Boix
- Universidad
de Valencia, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales, Catedrático J. Beltrán
2, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Elizabeth R. Young
- Lehigh
University, Department of Chemistry, 6 East Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Ignacio Mínguez-Bacho
- Friedrich-Alexander
University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy,
IZNF, Cauerstraße
3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julien Bachmann
- Friedrich-Alexander
University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy,
IZNF, Cauerstraße
3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Saint-Petersburg
State University, Institute of Chemistry, Universitetskii Prospekt 26, 198504 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|