Contemporary nanostructured transparent electrodes for use in solar cells require high transmittance and high conductivity, dictating nanostructures with high aspect ratios. Optical haze is an equally important yet un...Contemporary nanostructured transparent electrodes for use in solar cells require high transmittance and high conductivity, dictating nanostructures with high aspect ratios. Optical haze is an equally important yet unstudied parameter in transparent electrodes for solar cells that is also determined by the geometry of the nanostructures that compose the electrode. In this work, the effect of the silver nanowire diameter on the optical haze values in the visible spectrum was investigated using films composed of wires with either small diameters （N60 nm） or large diameters （~150 nm）. Finite difference time domain （FDTD） simulations and experimental transmittance data confirm that smaller diameter nanowires form higher performing transparent conducting electrode （TCE） films according to the current figure of merit. While maintaining near constant transmittance and conductivity for each film, however, it was observed experimentally that films composed of silver nanowires with larger diameters have a higher haze factor than films with smaller diameters. This confirms the FDTD simulations of the haze factor for single nanowires with similarly large and small diameters. This is the first record of haze properties for Ag NWs that have been simulated or experimentally measured, and also the first evidence that the current figure of merit for TCEs is insufficient to evaluate their performance in solar cell devices.展开更多
Solar energy is abundant and environmentally friendly.Light trapping in solar-energy-harvesting devices or structures is of critical importance.This article reviews light trapping with metallic nanostructures for thin...Solar energy is abundant and environmentally friendly.Light trapping in solar-energy-harvesting devices or structures is of critical importance.This article reviews light trapping with metallic nanostructures for thin film solar cells and selective solar absorbers.The metallic nanostructures can either be used in reducing material thickness and device cost or in improving light absorbance and thereby improving conversion efficiency.The metallic nanostructures can contribute to light trapping by scattering and increasing the path length of light,by generating strong electromagnetic field in the active layer,or by multiple reflections/absorptions.We have also discussed the adverse effect of metallic nanostructures and how to solve these problems and take full advantage of the light-trapping effect.展开更多
In a conventional flat plate solar cell under direct sunlight,light is received from the solar disk,but is re-emitted isotropically.This isotropic emission corresponds to a significant entropy increase in the solar ce...In a conventional flat plate solar cell under direct sunlight,light is received from the solar disk,but is re-emitted isotropically.This isotropic emission corresponds to a significant entropy increase in the solar cell,with a corresponding drop in efficiency.Here,using a detailed balance model,we show that limiting the emission angle of a high-quality GaAs solar cell is a feasible route to achieving power conversion efficiencies above 38%with a single junction.The highest efficiencies are predicted for a thin,light trapping cell with an ideal back reflector,though the scheme is robust to a non-ideal back reflector.Comparison with a conventional planar cell geometry illustrates that limiting emission angle in a light trapping geometry not only allows for much thinner cells,but also for significantly higher overall efficiencies with an excellent rear reflector.Finally,we present ray-tracing and detailed balance analysis of two angular coupler designs,show that significant efficiency improvements are possible with these couplers,and demonstrate initial fabrication of one coupler design.展开更多
The solar cell market is predominantly based on textured screen-printed solar cells.Due to parasitic absorption in nanostructures,using plasmonic processes to obtain an enhancement that exceeds 2.5%of the short-circui...The solar cell market is predominantly based on textured screen-printed solar cells.Due to parasitic absorption in nanostructures,using plasmonic processes to obtain an enhancement that exceeds 2.5%of the short-circuit photocurrent density is challenging.In this paper,a 7.2%enhancement in the photocurrent density can be achieved through the integration of plasmonic Al nanoparticles and wrinkle-like graphene sheets.For the first time,we experimentally achieve Al nanoparticle-enhanced solar cells.An innovative thermal evaporation method is proposed to fabricate low-coverage Al nanoparticle arrays on solar cells.Due to the ultraviolet(UV)plasmon resonance of Al nanoparticles,the performance enhancement of the solar cells is significantly greater than that from Ag nanoparticles.Subsequently,we deposit wrinkle-like graphene sheets over the Al nanoparticle-enhanced solar cells.Compared with planar graphene sheets,the bend carbon layer also exhibits a broadband light-trapping effect.Our results exceed the limit of plasmonic light trapping in textured screen-printed silicon solar cells.展开更多
硅异质结(SHJ)太阳电池作为备受关注的新型高效太阳电池,是在单晶硅表面沉积非晶硅薄膜制备而成的。将绒面结构的单晶硅衬底应用于异质结太阳电池,可以减少光的反射,增强光吸收的效率,从而提高太阳电池短路电流密度。利用湿法化学腐蚀...硅异质结(SHJ)太阳电池作为备受关注的新型高效太阳电池,是在单晶硅表面沉积非晶硅薄膜制备而成的。将绒面结构的单晶硅衬底应用于异质结太阳电池,可以减少光的反射,增强光吸收的效率,从而提高太阳电池短路电流密度。利用湿法化学腐蚀对单晶硅衬底表面进行制绒,通过优化影响绒面形貌的几个关键参数,包括异丙醇浓度、时间、衬底类型和硅酸钠的含量,最终通过在n型单晶硅衬底上制绒,使波长为1011 nm处最低反射率从制绒前的34.7%降低到了9.14%,将制绒衬底应用到异质结太阳电池上,短路电流由32.06 m A/cm-2提升到36.16 m A/cm-2,有效地改善了SHJ太阳电池的性能。展开更多
Optical bound states in the continuum(BICs)have recently stimulated a research boom,accompanied by demonstrations of abundant exotic phenomena and applications.With ultrahigh quality(Q)factors,optical BICs have powerf...Optical bound states in the continuum(BICs)have recently stimulated a research boom,accompanied by demonstrations of abundant exotic phenomena and applications.With ultrahigh quality(Q)factors,optical BICs have powerful abilities to trap light in optical structures from the continuum of propagation waves in free space.Besides the high Q factors enabled by the confined properties,many hidden topological characteristics were discovered in optical BICs.Especially in periodic structures with well-defined wave vectors,optical BICs were discovered to carry topological charges in momentum space,underlying many unique physical properties.Both high Q factors and topological vortex configurations in momentum space enabled by BICs bring new degrees of freedom to modulate light.BICs have enabled many novel discoveries in light-matter interactions and spin-orbit interactions of light,and BIC applications in lasing and sensing have also been well explored with many advantages.In this paper,we review recent developments of optical BICs in periodic structures,including the physical mechanisms of BICs,explored effects enabled by BICs,and applications of BICs.In the outlook part,we provide a perspective on future developments for BICs.展开更多
Efficient light absorption and trapping are of vital importance for the solar water evaporation by hydrogel-based photothermal conversion materials.Conventional strategies are focused on the development of the composi...Efficient light absorption and trapping are of vital importance for the solar water evaporation by hydrogel-based photothermal conversion materials.Conventional strategies are focused on the development of the composition and structure of the hydrogers internal network.In our point of view,the importance of the surface structure of hydrogel has usually been underestimated or ignored.Here inspired by the excellent absorbance and water transportation ability of biological surface structure,the hierarchical structured hydrogel evaporators(HSEs)increased the light absorption,trapping,water transportation and water-air interface,which is the beneficial photothermal conversion and water evaporation.The HSEs showed a rapid evaporation rate of 1.77 kg·m^(-2)·h^(-1)at about 92%energy efficiency under one sun(1 kW·m^(-2)).Furthermore,the superhydrophilic window device was used in this work to collect the condensed water,which avoids the light-blocking caused by the water mist formed by the small droplets and the problem of the droplets stick on the device dropping back to the bulk water.Integrated with the excellent photothermal conversion hydrogel and superhydrophilic window equipment,this work provides efficient evaporation and desalination of hydrogel-based solar evaporators in practical large-scale applications.展开更多
文摘Contemporary nanostructured transparent electrodes for use in solar cells require high transmittance and high conductivity, dictating nanostructures with high aspect ratios. Optical haze is an equally important yet unstudied parameter in transparent electrodes for solar cells that is also determined by the geometry of the nanostructures that compose the electrode. In this work, the effect of the silver nanowire diameter on the optical haze values in the visible spectrum was investigated using films composed of wires with either small diameters （N60 nm） or large diameters （~150 nm）. Finite difference time domain （FDTD） simulations and experimental transmittance data confirm that smaller diameter nanowires form higher performing transparent conducting electrode （TCE） films according to the current figure of merit. While maintaining near constant transmittance and conductivity for each film, however, it was observed experimentally that films composed of silver nanowires with larger diameters have a higher haze factor than films with smaller diameters. This confirms the FDTD simulations of the haze factor for single nanowires with similarly large and small diameters. This is the first record of haze properties for Ag NWs that have been simulated or experimentally measured, and also the first evidence that the current figure of merit for TCEs is insufficient to evaluate their performance in solar cell devices.
基金The work performed at the University of Houston was funded by the US Department of Energy under contract number DOE DE-FG02-13ER46917/DESC0010831and the work performed at the National Center for Nanoscience&Technology of China was supported by the funds of NSFC(10974037)+2 种基金NBRPC(2010CB934102)International S&T Cooperation Program(2010DFA51970)the‘Strategic Priority Research Program’of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.XDA09020300).
文摘Solar energy is abundant and environmentally friendly.Light trapping in solar-energy-harvesting devices or structures is of critical importance.This article reviews light trapping with metallic nanostructures for thin film solar cells and selective solar absorbers.The metallic nanostructures can either be used in reducing material thickness and device cost or in improving light absorbance and thereby improving conversion efficiency.The metallic nanostructures can contribute to light trapping by scattering and increasing the path length of light,by generating strong electromagnetic field in the active layer,or by multiple reflections/absorptions.We have also discussed the adverse effect of metallic nanostructures and how to solve these problems and take full advantage of the light-trapping effect.
基金Thanks to D Callahan,M Sheldon and J van de Groep for insightful discussions and advice on the manuscript.The authors also found advice from O Miller on handling non-radiative recombination,R Briggs on mode structure calculations,J Zipkin on numerical methods and C Eisler on internal fluorescence yield derivations extremely helpful.The authors are grateful for technical assistance from G Vollenbroek.The Caltech researchers are supported by the‘Light-Material Interactions in Energy Conversion’Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the US Department of Energy,Office of Science,Office of Basic Energy Sciences under grant DE-SC0001293(EK and HA).EK also acknowledges the support of the Resnick Sustainability Institute.Researchers of the Center for Nanophotonics at AMOLF are supported by the research program of FOM which is financially supported by NWO and by the European Research Council.
文摘In a conventional flat plate solar cell under direct sunlight,light is received from the solar disk,but is re-emitted isotropically.This isotropic emission corresponds to a significant entropy increase in the solar cell,with a corresponding drop in efficiency.Here,using a detailed balance model,we show that limiting the emission angle of a high-quality GaAs solar cell is a feasible route to achieving power conversion efficiencies above 38%with a single junction.The highest efficiencies are predicted for a thin,light trapping cell with an ideal back reflector,though the scheme is robust to a non-ideal back reflector.Comparison with a conventional planar cell geometry illustrates that limiting emission angle in a light trapping geometry not only allows for much thinner cells,but also for significantly higher overall efficiencies with an excellent rear reflector.Finally,we present ray-tracing and detailed balance analysis of two angular coupler designs,show that significant efficiency improvements are possible with these couplers,and demonstrate initial fabrication of one coupler design.
文摘The solar cell market is predominantly based on textured screen-printed solar cells.Due to parasitic absorption in nanostructures,using plasmonic processes to obtain an enhancement that exceeds 2.5%of the short-circuit photocurrent density is challenging.In this paper,a 7.2%enhancement in the photocurrent density can be achieved through the integration of plasmonic Al nanoparticles and wrinkle-like graphene sheets.For the first time,we experimentally achieve Al nanoparticle-enhanced solar cells.An innovative thermal evaporation method is proposed to fabricate low-coverage Al nanoparticle arrays on solar cells.Due to the ultraviolet(UV)plasmon resonance of Al nanoparticles,the performance enhancement of the solar cells is significantly greater than that from Ag nanoparticles.Subsequently,we deposit wrinkle-like graphene sheets over the Al nanoparticle-enhanced solar cells.Compared with planar graphene sheets,the bend carbon layer also exhibits a broadband light-trapping effect.Our results exceed the limit of plasmonic light trapping in textured screen-printed silicon solar cells.
文摘硅异质结(SHJ)太阳电池作为备受关注的新型高效太阳电池,是在单晶硅表面沉积非晶硅薄膜制备而成的。将绒面结构的单晶硅衬底应用于异质结太阳电池,可以减少光的反射,增强光吸收的效率,从而提高太阳电池短路电流密度。利用湿法化学腐蚀对单晶硅衬底表面进行制绒,通过优化影响绒面形貌的几个关键参数,包括异丙醇浓度、时间、衬底类型和硅酸钠的含量,最终通过在n型单晶硅衬底上制绒,使波长为1011 nm处最低反射率从制绒前的34.7%降低到了9.14%,将制绒衬底应用到异质结太阳电池上,短路电流由32.06 m A/cm-2提升到36.16 m A/cm-2,有效地改善了SHJ太阳电池的性能。
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.12234007,12221004,12321161645,62325501,62135001,12074049,and 12147102)the National Key R and D Program of China(Nos.2022YFA1404804,2021YFA1400603,and 2023YFA1406900)+4 种基金the Major Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.T2394480 and T2394481)the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(Nos.22142200400,21DZ1101500,2019SHZDZX01,and 23DZ2260100)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2022CDJQY-007)supported by the China National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents(No.BX20230079)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2023M740721).
文摘Optical bound states in the continuum(BICs)have recently stimulated a research boom,accompanied by demonstrations of abundant exotic phenomena and applications.With ultrahigh quality(Q)factors,optical BICs have powerful abilities to trap light in optical structures from the continuum of propagation waves in free space.Besides the high Q factors enabled by the confined properties,many hidden topological characteristics were discovered in optical BICs.Especially in periodic structures with well-defined wave vectors,optical BICs were discovered to carry topological charges in momentum space,underlying many unique physical properties.Both high Q factors and topological vortex configurations in momentum space enabled by BICs bring new degrees of freedom to modulate light.BICs have enabled many novel discoveries in light-matter interactions and spin-orbit interactions of light,and BIC applications in lasing and sensing have also been well explored with many advantages.In this paper,we review recent developments of optical BICs in periodic structures,including the physical mechanisms of BICs,explored effects enabled by BICs,and applications of BICs.In the outlook part,we provide a perspective on future developments for BICs.
基金We thank Prof.Cunming Yu and Dr.Xiao Xiao for providing COMSLO simulation.This work was supported by the National Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar(No.21725401)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2017YFA0207800)+1 种基金the 111 project(B14009)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
文摘Efficient light absorption and trapping are of vital importance for the solar water evaporation by hydrogel-based photothermal conversion materials.Conventional strategies are focused on the development of the composition and structure of the hydrogers internal network.In our point of view,the importance of the surface structure of hydrogel has usually been underestimated or ignored.Here inspired by the excellent absorbance and water transportation ability of biological surface structure,the hierarchical structured hydrogel evaporators(HSEs)increased the light absorption,trapping,water transportation and water-air interface,which is the beneficial photothermal conversion and water evaporation.The HSEs showed a rapid evaporation rate of 1.77 kg·m^(-2)·h^(-1)at about 92%energy efficiency under one sun(1 kW·m^(-2)).Furthermore,the superhydrophilic window device was used in this work to collect the condensed water,which avoids the light-blocking caused by the water mist formed by the small droplets and the problem of the droplets stick on the device dropping back to the bulk water.Integrated with the excellent photothermal conversion hydrogel and superhydrophilic window equipment,this work provides efficient evaporation and desalination of hydrogel-based solar evaporators in practical large-scale applications.
