• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.32 no.10
• /
• pp.3629-3633
• /
• 2011

The effect of a dense $TiO_2$ blocking layer prepared using the sol-gel method on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells was studied. The blocking layer formed directly on the working electrode, separated it from the electrolyte, and prevented the back transfer of electrons from the electrode to the electrolyte. The dyesensitized solar cells were prepared with a working electrode of fluorine-doped tin oxide glass coated with a blocking layer of dense $TiO_2$, a dye-attached mesoporous $TiO_2$ film, and a nano-gel electrolyte, and a counter electrode of Pt-deposited FTO glass. The gel processing conditions and heat treatment temperature for blocking layer formation affected the morphology and performance of the cells, and their optimal values were determined. The introduction of the blocking layer increased the conversion efficiency of the cell by 7.37% for the cell without a blocking layer to 8.55% for the cell with a dense $TiO_2$ blocking layer, under standard illumination conditions. The short-circuit current density ($J_{sc}$) and open-circuit voltage ($V_{oc}$) also were increased by the addition of a dense $TiO_2$ blocking layer.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2019

Polymer:nonfullerene solar cells with an inverted-type device structure were fabricated by employing the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) active layers, which are composed of poly[(2,6-(4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophene-2-yl)-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene))-alt-(5,5-(1',3'-di-2-thienyl-5',7-bis(2-ethylhexyl)benzo[1',2'-c:4',5'-c']dithiophene-4,8-dione))] (PBDB-T) and 3,9-bis(6-methyl-2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2',3-d']-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b']dithiophene (IT-M). The BHJ layers were formed on a pre-patterned indium-tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate by spin-coating using the blend solutions of PBDB-T and IT-M. The solar cell performances were investigated with respect to the cell position on the ITO-glass substrates. In addition, the short-term shelf lifetime of solar cells was tested by storing the PBDB-T:IT-M solar cells in a glovebox filled with inert gas. The results showed that the performance of solar cells was relatively higher for the cells close to the center of substrates, which was maintained even after storage for 24 h. In particular, the PCE of PBDB-T:IT-M solar cells was marginally decreased after storage for 24 h owing to the slightly reduced fill factor, even though the open circuit voltage was unchanged after 24 h.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.114-119
• /
• 2020

In this study, Mitigation of Potential-induced degradation (PID) for PERC solar cells using SiO2 Structure of ARC layer. The conventional PID test was conducted with a cell-level test based on the IEC-62804 test standard, but a copper PID test device was manufactured to increase the PID detection rate. The accelerated aging test was conducted by maintaining 96 hours with a potential difference of 1000 V at a temperature of 60℃. As a result, the PERC solar cell of SiO2-Free ARC structure decreased 22.11% compared to the initial efficiency, and the PERC solar cell of the Upper-SiO2 ARC structure decreased 30.78% of the initial efficiency and the PID reliability was not good. However, the PERC solar cell with the lower-SiO2 ARC structure reduced only 2.44%, effectively mitigating the degradation of PID. Na+ ions in the cover glass generate PID on the surface of the PERC solar cell. In order to prevent PID, the structure of SiNx and SiO2 thin films of the ARC layer is important. SiO2 thin film must be deposited on bottom of ARC layer and the surface of the PERC solar cell N-type emitter to prevent surface recombination and stacking fault defects of the PERC solar cell and mitigated PID degradation.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.283-295
• /
• 2021

For the last decades, a research hotspot for the halide perovskites (HPs) is now showing great progress in terms of improving efficiency for numerous photovoltaic devices (PVDs). However, it still faces challenges in the case of long-term stability in the air atmosphere. Defect-free high-quality HP single crystals show their promising properties for the remarkable development of highly efficient and stable PVDs. Here, we summarize the growth processing routes for the stable HP single crystals as well as briefly discuss the pros and cons of those well-established synthesis routes. Furthermore, we briefly include the comparison note between the HP single crystals and polycrystalline perovskite films regarding their device applications. Based on the future progress, the review concludes subjective perspectives and current challenges for the development of HPs high-quality PVDs.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.95-100
• /
• 2022

Solar cell is a device that converts photon energy into electrical energy. Therefore, absorption of solar spectrum light is one of the most important characteristics to design the solar cell structures. Various methods have emerged to reduce optical losses, such as textured surfaces, back contact solar cells, anti-reflection layers. Here, the anti-reflection coating (ARC) layer is typically utilized whose refractive index value is between air (~1) and silicon (~4) such as SiN_x layer (~1.9). This research is to print a material called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to form a double anti-reflection layer. Light with wavelength in the range of 0.3 to 1.2 micrometers does not share a wavelength with solar cells. It is confirmed that the refractive index of PDMS (~1.4) is an ARC layer which decreases the reflectance of light absorption region on typical p-type solar cells with SiN_x layer surface. Optimized PDMS printing with analyzing optical property for cell structure can be the effective way against outer effects by encapsulation.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2022

Planner configuration thin film solar cells (TFSCs) with SnS/CdS heterojunction performed a lower short-circuit current (J_SC). In this study, we have demonstrated a path to overcome deficiency in J_SC by the incorporation of Se in the SnS absorber. We carried out the incorporation of Se in VTD grown SnS absorber by rapid thermal annealing (RTA). The diffusion of Se is mostly governed by RTA temperature (T_RTA), also it is observed that film structure changes from cube-like to plate-like structure with T_RTA. The maximum J_SC of 23.1 mA cm^-2 was observed for 400℃ with an open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 0.140 V for the same temperature. The highest performance of 2.21% with J_SC of 18.6 mA cm^-2, V_OC of 0.290 V, and fill factor (FF) of 40.9% is observed for a T_RTA of 300℃. In the end, we compare the device performance of Se- incorporated SnS absorber with pristine SnS absorber material, increment in J_SC is approximately 80% while a loss in V_OC of about 20% has been observed.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2024

Perovskite solar cells have exhibited a remarkable increase in efficiency from an initial 3.8% to 26.1%, marking a significant advancement. However, challenges persist in the commercialization of perovskite solar cells due to their low stability with respect to humidity, light exposure, and temperature. Moreover, the instability of the organic charge transport layer underscores the need for exploring inorganic alternatives. In the manufacturing process of the perovskite solar cells' oxide charge transport layer, ultraviolet-ozone (UVO) treatment is commonly applied to enhance the wettability of the perovskite solution. The UVO treatment on metal oxides has proven effective in suppressing surface oxygen vacancies and removing surface organic contaminants. This study focused on the characterization of nickel oxide as the hole transport material in perovskite solar cells, specifically investigating the impact of UVO treatment on film properties. Through this analysis, changes induced by the UVO treatment were observed, and consequent alterations in the device characteristics were identified.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.108-113
• /
• 2016

III-V compound semiconductor based thin film solar cells promise relatively higher power conversion efficiencies and better device reliability. In general, the thin film III-V solar cells are fabricated by an epitaxial lift-off process, which requires an $Al_xGa_{1-x}As$ ($x{\geq}0.8$) sacrificial layer and an inverted solar cell structure. However, the device performance of the inversely grown solar cell could be degraded due to the different internal diffusion conditions. In this study, InGaP/GaAs double-junction solar cells are inversely grown by MOCVD on GaAs (100) substrates. The thickness of the GaAs base layer is reduced to minimize the thermal budget during the growth. A wide band gap p-AlGaAs/n-InGaP tunnel junction structure is employed to connect the two subcells with minimal electrical loss. The solar cell structures are transferred on to thin metal films formed by Au electroplating. An AlAs layer with a thickness of 20 nm is used as a sacrificial layer, which is removed by a HF:Acetone (1:1) solution during the epitaxial lift-off process. As a result, the flexible InGaP/GaAs solar cell was fabricated successfully with an efficiency of 27.79% under AM1.5G illumination. The efficiency was kept at almost the same value after bending tests of 1,000 cycles with a radius of curvature of 10 mm.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.415-424
• /
• 2014

In this study, two kinds of polymer (PPQX-2hdPTZ (P1), POPQX-2hdPTZ (P2)) were synthesised by Suzuki coupling reaction based on phenothiazine derivative as electron-donor and quinoxaline derivative as electron-acceptor. Microwave synthesis workstation was used to shorten the polymerization time and increase the degree of polymerization. The physical, thermal stability, optical and electrochemical properties of the synthesized polymer were confirmed. The thermal stability of two polymers was outstanding as the initial decomposition temperature was $323-328^{\circ}C$. And additional substituted alkoxy chain on P2 showed higher degree of polymerization. An analysis of electrochemical properties, all polymer had similar HOMO energy level values. Device was fabricated by ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/$BaF_2$/Al structure and photovoltaic properties were confirmed. Each device has a different film thickness and the resulting change in PCE was confirmed. As a result the thinner thickness of the film showed a high efficiency ($PCE_{max}:P1=1.0%$, P2 = 1.1%).

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.73-80
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to estimate the relative performance of modules with changed characteristics due to long term exposure to the outdoor environment, with a specially made test device for simultaneous measurement of real time power output from the photovoltaic array, taking into account the inclined panel, direct irradiation, power being generated, temperature as well as the optimal analysis timing. In terminology description, M is an abbreviation of module and Group A, Group B are 10 modules series connection (1~10 of M), (11~20 of M) for each of them respectively. The overall mean voltage difference of M-18 with the lowest power output and M-14 with the highest output is-2.13V and it was identifiable that voltage difference was more concentrated to Group B. In addition, in case of M-2 and M-7, M-8, when compared with M-14, the overall mean voltage difference was -0.92V, -1.56 and -0.91V respectively showing the more concentration to Group A. When the temperature of module went up by $1^{\circ}C$, the mean voltage was reduced by 0.35V. For current, Group A was lower than Group B by-0.022A and the ratio of each group was 49.68% and 50.32% respectively, presumably the module with deteriorated properties were more concentrated to Group A relatively. From the comparison of relations with the comprehensive accumulation, M-2, M-7, M-8, M-16 and M-18 were those with deterioration of performance to the worst, thereby requiring precision examination. In comparative efficiency, M-14 was the most excellent one as 12.19% while M-18 as 10.53% was identified that its efficiency was comparatively rapidly reduced.