Simple strategies to enhance solar conversion efficiency and stability of metal chalcogenides nano-film electrodes
Publication Type
Conference Paper
Authors
ABSTRACT: Renewable energy is becoming globally popular. Solar radiations that reach the Earth are sufficient for global demand for a long time to come if wisely used. Monolithic and tandem photovoltaic (PV) devices are used, with efficiency far above 15%, but demand costly special preparations [1-]]. Monolithic photo-electrochemical (PEC) systems are easier to prepare, but still demand advanced techniques. Nano-film electrodes are emerging as more economic, easier to prepare and more environmentally friendly alternatives. To cultivate visible light, the major component of solar light, medium band gap (2.4 -1.8 eV; 550 – 700 nm) semiconductor electrodes are needed. Good candidates are metal-chalcogenides MX {M = Cu, Cd, Zn, etc., X = S, Se, Te and others}. Literature shows that such nano-film electrodes show low conversion efficiency and low stability under PEC conditions. It is thus imperative to modify such materials. Different techniques enhanced efficiency enhancement [3-]]. The nano-film electrodes must exhibit high conversion efficiency (>15%) and stability in order to compete with PV systems. For this purpose a new facile modification technique has been developed here. The technique involves attaching thin composite material matrices (~80 nm) to the electrode surface. The matrix involves stable electro-active materials, such as metalloporphyrin complexes, embedded inside polymer matrices (polyethylene, polystyrene or polysiloxane). By this method, unprecedented high conversion efficiency values (~15% for CuSe, ~18% for CuS and ~19% for CdTe films) have been obtained [6-8]. Moreover, the modified electrodes were stable for reuse under PEC conditions. The coating affects the band edge positions of the semiconductor film electrodes. The metalloporphyrin complexes behave as charge transfer catalysts across the solid/liquid junction and prevent hole accumulation in the space charge layer. As such, the film electrode is protected from photo-corrosion. Details of the findings will be presented together with a model that explains the metalloporphyrin actions. Biography: [1] Y. Guo, A.L. Porter, L. Huang, Nanotechnology enhanced thin-film solar cells: analysis of global research activities with future prospects, Proceedings of 18th International Conference for the International Association of Management of Technology, Orlando, FL, 2009. [2] A. Richter, M. Hermle, S.W. Glunz, Reassessment of the limiting efficiency for crystalline silicon solar cells, Photovoltaics, IEEE Journal of, 3 (2013) 1184-1191. [3] K. Chopra, P. Paulson, V. Dutta, Thin‐film solar cells: an overview, Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 12 (2004) 69-92. [4] A. Zyoud, I. Saadeddin, S. Khurduj, M.m. Mari’e, Z.M. Hawash, M.I. Faroun, G. Campet, D. Park, H.S. Hilal, Combined electrochemical/chemical bath depositions to prepare CdS film electrodes with enhanced PEC characteristics, Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 707 (2013) 117-121. [5] N. Sabli, Z.A. Talib, W.M.M. Yunus, Z. Zainal, H.S. Hilal, M. Fujii, SnSe Thin film electrodes prepared by vacuum evaporation: enhancement of photoelectrochemical efficiency by argon gas condensation method, Electrochemistry, 82 (2014) 25-30. [6] Huda Sabri, Subhi Saleh, Ahed Zyoud, Iyad Saadeddin, Guy Campet, DaeHoon Park, Mariam Faroun and Hikmat S. Hilal*, Enhancement of CdSe film electrode PEC characteristics by metalloporphyrin/polysiloxane matrices, Electrochimica Acta, 136 (2014) 138-145. [7] Ahed Zyoud, Rola S. Al-Kerm, Rana Al-Kerm, Waseem Mansur, Mohammed H.S. Helal, DaeHoon Park, Nordin Sabli and Hikmat S. Hilal, High PEC conversion efficiencies from CuSe film electrodes modified with metalloporphyrin/polyethylene matrices, Electrochimica Acta, 174 (2015) 472-479. [8] Ahed Zyoud, Rana S. AlKerm, Rola S. Alkerm, Doa' H. Abdelhadi, DaeHoon Park, Mohammed H.S. Helal, Guy Campet, Reham W. Muthaffar Hansang Kwon and Hikmat S. Hilal, Enhanced PEC characteristics of pre-annealed CuS film electrodes by metalloporphyrin/polymer matrices, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 144 (2016) 429–437. Acknowledgments: This work is generally based on theses from many graduate students, with special focus on those of Rola Al-Kerm Rana Al-Kerm and Doa’ Abdel-Hadi. Authors: H.S. Hilal is a distinguished Professor of inorganic chemistry and materials, and is chairing the Center of Materials Science and Nano-Technology (CEMSANT) at ANU. He published more than 100 publications in highly reputed journals, books and international conference proceedings. His research is focused on advanced materials and applications in solar energy and environmental protection. A. Zyoud is Assistant Professor analytical & inorganic chemistry at ANU. His research is focused on nano-materials and nano-film electrodes and application in solar energy and environmental protection.
Conference
Conference Title
3rd World Congress and Expo on Nanotechnology (Nanotek-2016) held at Singapore
Conference Country
Singapore
Conference Date
Nov. 7, 2016 - Nov. 9, 2016
Conference Sponsor
Scientific Future Group
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