Solution-processed inorganic Thin-Film photovoltaic devices (SolPV)
Lead Research Organisation:
Northumbria University
Department Name: Fac of Engineering and Environment
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
Publications
Agbenyeke R
(2024)
Correlating Molecular Precursor Interactions with Device Performance in Solution-Processed Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Thin-Film Solar Cells.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Alkhalifah MA
(2022)
Correlating Orbital Composition and Activity of LaMnxNi1-xO3 Nanostructures toward Oxygen Electrocatalysis.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Andreasen JW
(2022)
Indium-free CIGS analogues: general discussion.
in Faraday discussions
Andreasen JW
(2022)
Novel chalcogenides, pnictides and defect-tolerant semiconductors: general discussion.
in Faraday discussions
Andreasen JW
(2022)
Bulk and surface characterisation techniques of solar absorbers: general discussion.
in Faraday discussions
Don C
(2023)
Multi-Phase Sputtered TiO 2 -Induced Current-Voltage Distortion in Sb 2 Se 3 Solar Cells
in Advanced Materials Interfaces
Kayastha P
(2023)
High-Temperature Equilibrium of 3D and 2D Chalcogenide Perovskites
in Solar RRL
Naylor MC
(2022)
Ex situ Ge-doping of CZTS nanocrystals and CZTSSe solar absorber films.
in Faraday discussions
Sun X
(2022)
Decoupling the impact of bulk and surface point defects on the photoelectrochemical properties of LaFeO3 thin films.
in Chemical science
Thummavichai K
(2023)
Effect of metal dopants on the electrochromic performance of hydrothermally-prepared tungsten oxide materials.
in RSC advances
| Description | This award has allowed a new method of solution-processed solar cell absorber fabrication to be implemented at the university. A laboratory was set up and equipment procured and calibrated to fabricate molecular precursors for solar cell layer fabrication. The effects of fabricating solar absorber layers via a solution-based method in different humidity and temperature environments has been noted. Molecular precursor solutions have been tuned to be stable in atmospheric conditions which removes the need for glove boxes and reduces overall costs associated with this fabrication methodology. The chemical interactions within the solutions have been studied extensively leading to insight into the reactions and coordination chemistry that has not been reported on to date. We have also determined some unsuitable solvents and approaches to absorber fabrication in air. This award has further allowed the study of ion migration within the device stack to the back or front contacts with high-temperature treatments and the development of mitigation strategies to prevent this. Solar cell device performances by this approach have been steadily increasing with a current device efficiency record of 4.45% with actionable insight into further improvements. The collaborations with the other institutes on this award have allowed for essential knowledge, skill and sample exchanges which have allowed for rapid progress and insight into the various aspects covered in this award. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes so far have potential impact for both academic and non-academic audiences. Understanding the reaction chemistry allows further development of this technology in universities to push the efficiencies of devices fabricated via this method above 15%. The associated costs of a fabrication method in air is of interest to spin-outs or industrial scale-up of this technology. |
| Sectors | Energy |
| Title | Data from photoluminescence spectroscopy, admittance spectroscopy, photoelectron emission microscopy, current-voltage characteristics, and spectral response of quantum efficiency measurements on Cu2ZnZnSnS4 (CZTS) films and solar cells as a function of... |
| Description | This is the dataset used in the journal article to be published in American Chemical Society's Applied Energy Materials. Article Title: Mapping the Energetics of Defect States in Cu2ZnSnS4 films and the Impact of Sb DopingAuthors: Devendra Tiwari, Michael V. Yakushev, Tristan Koehler, Mattia Cattelan, Neil Fox, Robert W. Martin, Reiner Klenk and David J FerminDOI: https://10.1021/acsaem.1c03729 The dataset was produced in collaboration with colleagues from University of Bristol, Strathclyde University and Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin. The dataset contains .csv files and can be accessed can be using any text editor or any spreadsheet software. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This dataset formed the basis for the publication: Mapping the Energetics of Defect States in Cu2ZnSnS4 films and the Impact of Sb Doping, Devendra Tiwari, Michael V Yakushev, Tristan Koehler, Mattia Cattelan, Neil Fox, Robert W Martin, Reiner Klenk, David J Férmin, ACS Applied Energy Materials, Volume 5, Pages 3933-3940, Year 2022. This led to the basis for rational optimisation of the performance of CZTS-based solar cells, which is one of two key chalcogenide materials being investigated in this SolPV project. |
| URL | https://figshare.northumbria.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Data_from_photoluminescence_spectroscopy_admitta... |
| Description | Employability Panel (ReNU CDT Northumbria University) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr. Nicole Fleck as a panel member for this discussion. The purpose of this career panel was to allow CDT students to ask questions about academic careers in all aspects. These were submitted in advance. Answers and potential concerns of students at the end of their postgraduate program were discussed by the panel and answered in the session. Students reported feeling more confident about their career choices and possible future pathways into STEM/academia or industry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Experience day for School students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | This was a special lecture arranged with the help of NUSTEM at Northumbria University, bringing students from local schools. We (Nicole and Devendra) gave a demonstration lecture on the electrical field. We did a demonstration of insulating particles suspended in the oil media, which assemble along electric field lines under an applied field. We showed different geometry of charge distribution and their effect on the nature of electrical field lines. We also included some visual simulations to give an interactive conceptual understanding of this important concept. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Faraday Discussion on Emerging inorganic materials in thin-film photovoltaics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr. Nicole Fleck and I presented a poster on IMO as an alternative partner layer for Sb2Se3 solar cells. Author on the paper presented by Mr. Matthew Naylor on Ge as a dopant for CZTSSe absorber materials for solar cells. We also participated in the topical discussions. All together this resulted in the publication of the following peer reviewed papers: Bulk and surface characterisation techniques of solar absorbers: general discussion JW Andreasen, J Breternitz, M Bär, PJ Dale, M Dimitrievska, DJ Fermin, ... Faraday Discussions 239, 180-201 Novel chalcogenides, pnictides and defect-tolerant semiconductors: general discussion JW Andreasen, E Arca, JW Bowers, M Bär, J Breternitz, PJ Dale, ... Faraday Discussions 239, 287-316 Indium-free CIGS analogues: general discussion JW Andreasen, JW Bowers, J Breternitz, PJ Dale, M Dimitrievska, ... Faraday Discussions 239, 85-111 Ex situ Ge-doping of CZTS nanocrystals and CZTSSe solar absorber films MC Naylor, D Tiwari, A Sheppard, J Laverock, S Campbell, B Ford, X Xu, ... Faraday Discussions 239, 70-84 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.rsc.org/events/detail/46796/emerging-inorganic-materials-in-thin-film-photovoltaics-fara... |
| Description | Local school workshop (Blyth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Facilitated by Dr Nicole Fleck, the PDRA on the project. Arranged at the request of the Ogden Trust. Demonstration and hands-on workshop on fabrication of dye-sensitised solar cells by Year 6 school students (total cohort size 60 students). Discussions about the processing and operation of solar cells and renewable energy technologies in general. A key outcome engagement of the students with the scientific method and inquiry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Oral presentation at SeeFuturePV conference, EPFL |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The purpose of this activity was to disseminate research results and foster collaborations through networking. Numerous questions from academics before and after the presentation showed engagement with the material and some good networks and ideas were shared during the poster session also. This has furthered our understanding of our system and provided experts in niche fields to call on for advice on certain areas and vice versa. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lmsc/seefuturepv/ |
| Description | Oral presentation of research work at Materials Research Society (spring meeting, 2022, Hawaii) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Oral presentation of research work by Dr Nicole Fleck on IMO as an alternative partner layer for Sb2Se3 solar cells based on work started during their PhD. Co-authored by Dr. Jon Major (University of Liverpool), Dr. Tom Shalvey (University of Liverpool), Dr. Frank Jaeckel (University of Liverpool). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.mrs.org/meetings-events/spring-meetings-exhibits/past-spring-meetings/2022-mrs-spring-me... |
| Description | ReNU CDT cohort 4 technical induction lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr. Nicole Fleck and I presented the induction lecture on Photoelectron Spectroscopy for cohorts 3 and 4 of the CDT. This constituted essential training on one of the key materials characterisation techniques in the field. This prompted questions and discussion on the topic. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |