127 research outputs found
Design and numerical investigation of cadmium telluride (CdTe) and iron silicide (FeSi2) based double absorber solar cells to enhance power conversion efficiency
Inorganic CdTe and FeSi2-based solar cells have recently drawn a lot of
attention because they offer superior thermal stability and good optoelectronic
properties compared to conventional solar cells. In this work, a unique
alternative technique is presented by using FeSi2 as a secondary absorber layer
and In2S3 as the window layer for improving photovoltaic (PV) performance
parameters. Simulating on SCAPS-1D, the proposed double-absorber
(Cu/FTO/In2S3/CdTe/FeSi2/Ni) structure is thoroughly examined and analyzed. The
window layer thickness, absorber layer thickness, acceptor density (NA), donor
density (ND), defect density (Nt), series resistance (RS), and shunt resistance
(Rsh) were simulated in detail for optimization of the above configuration to
improve PV performance. According to this study, 0.5 um is the optimized
thickness for both the CdTe and FeSi2 absorber layers in order to maximize
efficiency. Here, the value of the optimum window layer thickness is 50 nm. For
using CdTe as a single absorber, the efficiency is achieved by 13.26%. But for
using CdTe and FeSi2 as a dual absorber, the efficiency is enhanced and the
obtaining value is 27.35%. The other parameters are also improved and the
obtaining values for fill factor (FF) are 83.68%, open-circuit voltage (Voc) is
0.6566V, and short circuit current density (JSc) is 49.78 mA/cm2. Furthermore,
the proposed model performs good at 300 K operating temperature. The addition
of the FeSi2 layer to the cell structure has resulted in a significant quantum
efficiency (QE) enhancement because of the rise in solar spectrum absorption at
longer wavelengths. The findings of this work offer a promising approach for
producing high-performance and reasonably priced CdTe-based solar cells.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figure
Effect of various electron and hole transport layers on the performance of CsPbI3-based perovskite solar cells: A numerical investigation in DFT, SCAPS-1D, and wxAMPS frameworks
CsPbI3 has recently received tremendous attention as a possible absorber of
perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, CsPbI3-based PSCs have yet to achieve
the high performance of the hybrid PSCs. In this work, we performed a density
functional theory (DFT) study using the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package
(CASTEP) code for the cubic CsPbI3 absorber to compare and evaluate its
structural, electronic, and optical properties. The calculated electronic band
gap (Eg) using the GGA-PBE approach of CASTEP was 1.483 eV for this CsPbI3
absorber. Moreover, the computed density of states (DOS) exhibited the dominant
contribution from the Pb-5d orbital, and most charge also accumulated for the
Pb atom as seen from the electronic charge density map. Fermi surface
calculation showed multiband character, and optical properties were computed to
investigate the optical response of CsPbI3. Furthermore, we used IGZO, SnO2,
WS2, CeO2, PCBM, TiO2, ZnO, and C60 as the electron transport layers (ETLs),
and Cu2O, CuSCN, CuSbS2, Spiro-MeOTAD, V2O5, CBTS, CFTS, P3HT, PEDOT: PSS, NiO,
CuO, and CuI as the hole transport layers (HTLs) to identify the best
HTL/CsPbI3/ETL combinations using the SCAPS-1D solar cell simulation software.
Among 96 device structures, the best-optimized device structure,
ITO/TiO2/CsPbI3/CBTS/Au was identified, which exhibited an efficiency of 17.9%.
The effect of absorber and ETL thickness, series resistance, shunt resistance,
and operating temperature was also evaluated for the six best devices along
with their corresponding generation rate, recombination rate,
capacitance-voltage, current density-voltage, and quantum efficiency
characteristics. The obtained results from SCAPS-1D were also compared with
wxAMPS simulation software.Comment: 34 pages, 12 figures, Supporting Information (3 figures
Avenues in supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and fractionation of lipids.
Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) offers an alternative ecofriendly method for the conventional solvent extraction of lipids. CO2-based fluids are ideal supercritical fluids thanks to their distinct characteristics, such as nonflammability, nontoxicity, abundance, and recyclability, as well as their ability to solubilize lipophilic substances. Many studies have been conducted on the lipids extraction and fractionation from various lipid sources using scCO2 with or without a co-solvent. These studies revealed that scCO2 is a predominant technology for the lipids extraction and fractionation from various lipid sources. The present review was conducted to determine the influence of scCO2 process parameters on the extraction and fractionation of lipids from various plant and animal sources. Further, the influences of various operating parameters for the lipid extraction and fractionation subjected scCO2 extraction technology were also reviewed
A comprehensive first principles calculations on (Ba0.82K0.18)(Bi0.53Pb0.47)O3 single-cubic-perovskite superconductor
In this present study, the pseudopotential plane-wave (PP-PW) pathway in the
scheme of density functional theory (DFT) is utilized to investigate the
various physical properties on (Ba0.82K0.18)(Bi0.53Pb0.47)O3 (BKBPO) single
perovskite superconductor. We have analyzed elastic constants and moduli at
zero and elevated pressures (up to 25 GPa) as well. We also have investigated
the anisotropic nature incorporating both the theoretical indices and graphical
representations in 2D and 3D dimensions, which reveals a high level of
anisotropy. The flatness of the energy bands near EF is a sign of Van-Hf
singularity that might increase the electron pairing and origination of high-TC
superconductivity. The computed band structure exhibits its metallic
characteristics is confirmed by band overlapping. A band of DOS is formed for
the strong hybridization of the constituent elements. The orbital electrons of
O-2p contribute most dominantly at EF in contrast to all orbital electrons. The
orbital electrons at the EF are higher from both the partial density of states
and charge density mapping investigation. The coexistence of the electron and
hole-like Fermi sheets exhibits the multi-band nature of BKBPO. On the other
hand, Fermi surfaces with flat faces promote transport features and Fermi
surface nesting as well. The calculated value of the electron-phonon coupling
constant ({\lambda} = 1.46) is slightly lower than the isostructural
superconductor, which indicates that the studied BKBPO can be treated as a
strongly coupled superconductor similar to the reported isostructural
perovskite superconductors. Furthermore, the thermodynamic properties have been
evaluated and analyzed at elevated temperature and pressure by using harmonic
Debye approximation (QHDA).Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, 6 table
A Review of Applications, Prospects, and Challenges of Proton-Conducting Zirconates in Electrochemical Hydrogen Devices
In the future, when fossil fuels are exhausted, alternative energy sources
will be essential for everyday needs. Hydrogen-based energy can play a vital
role in this aspect. This energy is green, clean, and renewable.
Elec-trochemical hydrogen devices have been used extensively in nuclear power
plants to manage hydrogen-based renewable fuel. Doped zirconate materials are
commonly used as an electrolyte in these electrochemical devices. These
materials have excellent physical stability and high proton transport numbers,
which make them suitable for multiple applications. Doping enhances the
physical and electronic properties of zirconate materials and makes them ideal
for practical applications. This review highlights the applications of
zirconate-based pro-ton-conducting materials in electrochemical cells,
particularly in tritium monitors, tritium recovery, hydrogen sensors, and
hydrogen pump systems. The central section of this review summarizes recent
investigations and provides a comprehensive insight into the various doping
schemes, experimental setup, instrumentation, op-timum operating conditions,
morphology, composition, and performance of zirconate electrolyte materials. In
addition, different challenges that are hindering zirconate materials from
achieving their full potential in elec-trochemical hydrogen devices are
discussed. Finally, this paper lays out a few pathways for aspirants who wish
to undertake research in this field.Comment: 31 pages, 13 figure
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