Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.3
2.5
Journals
Applied Sciences
Special Issues
Materials and Optical Strategies for Solar Cells: Recent Advances and...
applsci-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Applied Sciences Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Materials and Optical Strategies for Solar Cells: Recent Advances and Challenges

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Optics and Lasers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 29210

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francesco Enrichi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Optical and Vibrational Spectroscopy Lab, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Ca' Vignal 2, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
Interests: nanostructured materials; rare-earth ions; luminescent materials; optical films and coatings; materials for energy applications; solar cells; lighting
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Enrico Trave

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venezia, Mestre, Italy
Interests: nanostructured materials; luminescent materials; glass and ceramics; nanocomposite glasses; lanthanide ions; noble metal nanoparticles; photonic and optical applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Elti Cattaruzza

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, via Torino 155, 30172 Venezia Mestre, Italy
Interests: physical vapor deposition; RF sputtering; coatings; ion-exchange; luminescent materials; metal nanoparticles; plasmonics; optical films; glasses; solar cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Population growth and the ever-increasing global energy demand have drawn attention to the sustainability of the human evolution model, with a particular focus on the exploitation and depletion of the world's resources. In this scenario, the development of renewable energies is of utmost importance, among which solar photovoltaics plays a major role. Solar energy is abundant, inextinguishable, and widespread, and it is readily available for use by anyone on Earth.

The evolution of photovoltaic solar cells, which convert solar light into electrical power, has grown dramatically in recent decades. After the first generation of devices based on silicon, and the second-generation thin-film technologies, we are currently in the third-generation era, with the aims of increasing efficiency, lowering the cost, and providing additional features for specific applications like flexibility, transparency, lightness, printability, portability, and wearability.

Research into solar cells has therefore spread in many different directions, and it can be distinguished into two main areas: the development of novel materials and architectures (composites, hybrids, nanostructures) for the effective absorption of solar photons and their electrical conversion, and the optimization of optical strategies (surface texturing, plasmonic structures, spectral up- and down-conversion layers) to enhance the overall efficiency of solar cells.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide an overview of recent advances in solar technologies and their applications. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, novel nanostructured materials, improved dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), quantum-dot- and carbon-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs-CDSSCs), all-oxide solar cells, organic solar cells (OSCs), perovskite solar cells (PSCs), and innovative optical methods based on surface texturing, plasmonic nanoparticles or gratings, and spectral up- and down-converting layers.

Dr. Francesco Enrichi
Dr. Enrico Trave
Prof. Dr. Elti Cattaruzza
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • solar cells
  • photovoltaics
  • dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)
  • quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs)
  • perovskite solar cells (PSCs)
  • plasmonics
  • up- and down-conversion
  • spectral modification

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

25 pages, 8294 KiB  
Article
Chemical-Inspired Material Generation Algorithm (MGA) of Single- and Double-Diode Model Parameter Determination for Multi-Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells
by Wafaa Alsaggaf, Mona Gafar, Shahenda Sarhan, Abdullah M. Shaheen and Ahmed R. Ginidi
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(18), 8549; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188549 - 23 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 686
Abstract
The optimization of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules is crucial for enhancing solar energy conversion efficiency, a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of solar energy. Accurate modeling and estimation of PV parameters are essential for the optimal design, control, and simulation [...] Read more.
The optimization of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules is crucial for enhancing solar energy conversion efficiency, a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of solar energy. Accurate modeling and estimation of PV parameters are essential for the optimal design, control, and simulation of PV systems. Traditional optimization methods often suffer from limitations such as entrapment in local optima when addressing this complex problem. This study introduces the Material Generation Algorithm (MGA), inspired by the principles of material chemistry, to estimate PV parameters effectively. The MGA simulates the creation and stabilization of chemical compounds to explore and optimize the parameter space. The algorithm mimics the formation of ionic and covalent bonds to generate new candidate solutions and assesses their stability to ensure convergence to optimal parameters. The MGA is applied to estimate parameters for two different PV modules, RTC France and Kyocera KC200GT, considering their manufacturing technologies and solar cell models. The significant nature of the MGA in comparison to other algorithms is further demonstrated by experimental and statistical findings. A comparative analysis of the results indicates that the MGA outperforms the other optimization strategies that previous researchers have examined for parameter estimation of solar PV systems in terms of both effectiveness and robustness. Moreover, simulation results demonstrate that MGA enhances the electrical properties of PV systems by accurately identifying PV parameters under varying operating conditions of temperature and irradiance. In comparison to other reported methods, considering the Kyocera KC200GT module, the MGA consistently performs better in decreasing RMSE across a variety of weather situations; for SD and DD models, the percentage improvements vary from 8.07% to 90.29%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Optical Strategies for Solar Cells: Recent Advances and Challenges)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4074 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Organic Dyes from Winemaking Lees for Photoelectrochemical Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
by Manuel Meneghetti, Aldo Talon, Elti Cattaruzza, Emilio Celotti, Elisabetta Bellantuono, Enrique Rodríguez-Castellón, Stefano Meneghetti and Elisa Moretti
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(6), 2149; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10062149 - 21 Mar 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3385
Abstract
During the last two decades, Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have received a great deal of attention as a promising, low-cost alternative to conventional silicon photovoltaic devices. Natural dye molecules can be used as a sensitizer for their low cost, good light absorbance, [...] Read more.
During the last two decades, Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have received a great deal of attention as a promising, low-cost alternative to conventional silicon photovoltaic devices. Natural dye molecules can be used as a sensitizer for their low cost, good light absorbance, easy preparation process, and biodegradability. In this study, dyes were obtained from wine lees, the last by-product of winemaking process, supplied by a venetian winery (Italy). Polyphenols, like tannins and anthocyanins, which were extracted from winemaking lees, were adsorbed on a nanostructured ordered mesoporous titanium dioxide, previously treated at different temperatures (400–600 °C). Both dyes and titania semiconductor samples were studied with different techniques. The tests were carried out on prototypes to evaluate the cell power and the photocurrent generated under simulated solar light irradiation. The obtained solar energy conversion efficiencies are comparable to those that were reported in literature by using organic dyes extracted from vegetables, fruits, and plants. It is significant that these dyes are largely available and cost effective, since recovered from a waste otherwise to be disposed of, opening up a perspective of feasibility for inexpensive and environmentally friendly dye solar cells to generate green electricity and transforming agri-food waste into a resource. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Optical Strategies for Solar Cells: Recent Advances and Challenges)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 1068 KiB  
Article
Dependence of PV Module Temperature on Incident Time-Dependent Solar Spectrum
by Joseph Appelbaum and Tamir Maor
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(3), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10030914 - 31 Jan 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3562
Abstract
The operating temperature of photovoltaic (PV) modules affects the photovoltaic conversion process. The operating temperature depends on various environmental conditions and on material-dependent properties of the PV modules. Many expressions for the operating temperature have been proposed in the literatures, some are simplified [...] Read more.
The operating temperature of photovoltaic (PV) modules affects the photovoltaic conversion process. The operating temperature depends on various environmental conditions and on material-dependent properties of the PV modules. Many expressions for the operating temperature have been proposed in the literatures, some are simplified working Equation as NOCT (Nominal Operating Cell Temperature), and others are more complex, being based on a combination of the energy balance Equation and NOCT. The present study offers a new approach (model) for determining the PV module temperature based on the energy balance Equation and on the solar spectrum irradiance. While using the new model, the operating temperature has been determined for four module technologies: c-Si, a-Si/ μ c-Si, CdTe, and CIGS and it shows that the operating temperatures for the different cell types are close to the manufacturers’ NOCT data-sheet temperatures. For c-Si technology, for example, the simulation resulted in 43.2° and 46° for the spectrum and NOCT models, respectively. The proposed new model offers a new approach for determining the operating temperature of PV modules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Optical Strategies for Solar Cells: Recent Advances and Challenges)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 5096 KiB  
Review
Minimizing Defect States in Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cell Materials
by Rosa Brakkee and René M. Williams
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(9), 3061; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10093061 - 28 Apr 2020
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 11499
Abstract
In order to reach the theoretical efficiency limits of lead-based metal halide perovskite solar cells, the voltage should be enhanced because it suffers from non-radiative recombination. Perovskite materials contain intrinsic defects that can act as Shockley–Read–Hall recombination centers. Several experimental and computational studies [...] Read more.
In order to reach the theoretical efficiency limits of lead-based metal halide perovskite solar cells, the voltage should be enhanced because it suffers from non-radiative recombination. Perovskite materials contain intrinsic defects that can act as Shockley–Read–Hall recombination centers. Several experimental and computational studies have characterized such defect states within the band gap. We give a systematic overview of compositional engineering by distinguishing the different defect-reducing mechanisms. Doping effects are divided into influences on: (1) crystallization; (2) lattice properties. Incorporation of dopant influences the lattice properties by: (a) lattice strain relaxation; (b) chemical bonding enhancement; (c) band gap tuning. The intrinsic lattice strain in undoped perovskite was shown to induce vacancy formation. The incorporation of smaller ions, such as Cl, F and Cd, increases the energy for vacancy formation. Zn doping is reported to induce strain relaxation but also to enhance the chemical bonding. The combination of computational studies using (DFT) calculations quantifying and qualifying the defect-reducing propensities of different dopants with experimental studies is essential for a deeper understanding and unraveling insights, such as the dynamics of iodine vacancies and the photochemistry of the iodine interstitials, and can eventually lead to a more rational approach in the search for optimal photovoltaic materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Optical Strategies for Solar Cells: Recent Advances and Challenges)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 5968 KiB  
Review
Perovskite Thin Film Materials Stabilized and Enhanced by Zinc(II) Doping
by Arjaan Kooijman, Loreta A. Muscarella and René M. Williams
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(8), 1678; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9081678 - 23 Apr 2019
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 9670
Abstract
Recent work of ten different groups shows that the application of zinc-halides in lead perovskite materials results in a contraction of the d-space, stronger interaction with the organic cation, improved crystallization with larger crystal domains, a Goldschmidt factor closer to unity, smoother [...] Read more.
Recent work of ten different groups shows that the application of zinc-halides in lead perovskite materials results in a contraction of the d-space, stronger interaction with the organic cation, improved crystallization with larger crystal domains, a Goldschmidt factor closer to unity, smoother and denser thin films and an even distribution of Zn(II) (at the Pb(II) sites) throughout the material. These combined effects may lead to: (1) a substantially higher stability (even at ambient or high humidity conditions); (2) enhanced luminescent properties; (3) a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the corresponding solar cell devices (up to PCE ~20%, with enhancement factors of 1.07 to 1.33 relative to undoped material). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Optical Strategies for Solar Cells: Recent Advances and Challenges)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop