Solar cells from laser sintered, earth-abundant, colloidal nanocrystalline thin films
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Large scale application of solar cells relies on simple, low cost (yet efficient and flexible) processing as well as the use of earth-abundant and non-toxic materials. Iron pyrite (FeS2) and antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) are earth-abundant materials that are attractive for solar cell applications due to large absorption cross sections, simple phase chemistry, and defect tolerant grain structure, respectively. However, challenges remain in performance due to polycrystallinity of the films and limiting surface defects.
This experimental project will investigate how laser processing can be used to process thin films of FeS2 and Sb2Se3 colloidal nanocrystals into solar cell absorber layers and how initial materials and laser processing parameters affect the interaction with the material and the final device functional performance.
This experimental project will investigate how laser processing can be used to process thin films of FeS2 and Sb2Se3 colloidal nanocrystals into solar cell absorber layers and how initial materials and laser processing parameters affect the interaction with the material and the final device functional performance.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Nicole Fleck (Student) |
Publications
Jones LAH
(2022)
Band Alignments, Electronic Structure, and Core-Level Spectra of Bulk Molybdenum Dichalcogenides (MoS2, MoSe2, and MoTe2).
in The journal of physical chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and interfaces
Fleck N
(2021)
Emerging Nanotechnologies for Renewable Energy
Mumtaz A
(2020)
GaAsSbN for Multi-Junction Solar Cells
Murgatroyd P
(2020)
GeSe: Optical Spectroscopy and Theoretical Study of a van der Waals Solar Absorber
in Chemistry of Materials
Fleck N
(2020)
How Oxygen Exposure Improves the Back Contact and Performance of Antimony Selenide Solar Cells.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Fleck N
(2020)
Identifying Raman modes of Sb 2 Se 3 and their symmetries using angle-resolved polarised Raman spectra
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Qian B
(2019)
Mussel-Inspired Self-Healing Coatings Based on Polydopamine-Coated Nanocontainers for Corrosion Protection.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Jones L
(2020)
Sn 5 s 2 lone pairs and the electronic structure of tin sulphides: A photoreflectance, high-energy photoemission, and theoretical investigation
in Physical Review Materials
Hobson T
(2020)
Vegard Relation and Raman Band Reference Data Generated from Bulk Crystals of Kesterite-Phase Composition Series Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 x Se 4-4 x (CZTSSe, 0 = x = 1)
in Crystal Growth & Design
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509693/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2021 | |||
| 1946366 | Studentship | EP/N509693/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2021 | Nicole Fleck |
| Description | Key findings include a better understanding of the solar cell material antimony selenide and the interfaces of this material with other layers in the solar cell. This includes fundamental material properties which can be used to quickly and easily identify the material, and give information on it's crystal growth direction. The methodology for this can be applied to many other materials and is now available at the host institution. The work further gives an insight on how to make better electrical junctions to this material and its response to atmospheric environments over time, which, again, can influence the analysis of other new materials and provides a route for analysis. |
| Exploitation Route | The methodologies published are applicable to the fabrication of any thin film devices and can be translated to various systems such as batteries, LEDs, photoelectrochemical cells and fuel cells. The experimental set up and knowledge for the analysis of angle-dependent polarised Raman spectroscopy remains at the host institution and the reference tables published can be used by the research community to easily and quickly determine the state and purity of their antimony selenide material. |
| Sectors | Energy |