A highly efficient nano-graphite electron transport layer for high performance ZnO/Si solar cells. Issue 4 (1st February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Ming; Wu, Gang; Zhang, Minmin; Liu, Jie; Zai, Jiantao; Qian, Xuefeng; Yu, Xibin
• Is Part Of: Sustainable energy & fuels. Volume 2:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 820
• Page End: 826
• Publication Date: 2018-02-01
• Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Fuel cells -- Periodicals; Electric batteries -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 660.297
• DOI: 10.1039/c8se00007g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2398-4902

Abstract

Abstract : A ZnO/Si solar cell with an efficient nano-graphite electron transport layer was designed and prepared via a simple sol–gel method, and showed significantly increased power conversion efficiency by 17.8%, compared to commercial c-Si solar cells. Abstract : Photovoltaic modules are considered as the most efficient way to utilize solar energy, while the power conversion efficiencies of commercial crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells still need to be improved. Herein, nano-graphite was designed as a highly efficient electron transport layer in high performance ZnO/Si solar cells and prepared via a simple solution phase deposition and rapid annealing process. The ZnO QDs can broaden the range of spectral response by generating more electron–hole pairs via multiple exciton effects. The built-in-field formed between the n-type ZnO QD layer and n-type Si and highly conductive nano-graphite can accelerate the electron collection and transportation from n-type Si to the front electrode. Thus, the designed Si solar cell with nano-graphite and ZnO QD layers shows a significantly improved power conversion efficiency of 14.99% compared to the ZnO/Si solar cell (13.62%) and unmodified commercial c-Si solar cells (12.73%). This cost effective and environmentally friendly technology can be easily applied for the industrial scale production of Si solar cells.