About this Research Topic
Solar energy conversion has a tremendous potential to address the global energy problem. Over the years, power conversion efficiencies have improved drastically due to both materials innovation and advanced processing techniques. Of those, earth abundant and environmentally friendly materials hold considerable importance in the context of environmental conservation.
Several materials such as Cd-free thin film chalcogenides and Pb-free perovskites have emerged as excellent promising environmentally friendly energy materials, but the control of optoelectronic properties and defects remains a major challenge to realize their true potential. Recently, fundamental insights on material composition, structure, phase, defects and novel processing techniques have led to improved knowledge of these materials. Promising developments in terms of new material compositions and device physics have enabled improved performance. Yet, apart from Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGSe), most of these materials are far from their true potential, and lag competitiveness.
Therefore, the scope of this Research Topic is to call for high quality research progresses on eco-friendly materials for solar energy conversion, with a substantial focus on the conversion process mechanism and its performance.
Subjects covered in this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
• Synthesis, properties and devices based on Pb-free perovskites (Sn, Bi, Ge, Sb.. and others);
• Solvent-free vapor deposited Pb-free perovskite absorbers;
• Theoretical insights on efficiency potential, defects and stability of Pb-free absorber materials;
• Synthesis and optoelectronic properties of chalcogenide perovskites (BaZrS3, SrZrS3);
• Defect analysis and passivation strategies in low bandgap chalcopyrites Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2;
• Synthesis, characterization, defect analysis and devices based on wide bandgap chalcopyrites for tandems - Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2;
• Composition engineering, defect analysis, passivation and devices based on kesterites Cu2ZnSnS4;
• Alternative Cd-free buffer layers and KCN-free device fabrication processes for CIGS solar cells;
• Optoelectronic properties and devices based on Cu2S, FeS2 and similar sulfide materials.
Several materials such as Cd-free thin film chalcogenides and Pb-free perovskites have emerged as excellent promising environmentally friendly energy materials, but the control of optoelectronic properties and defects remains a major challenge to realize their true potential. Recently, fundamental insights on material composition, structure, phase, defects and novel processing techniques have led to improved knowledge of these materials. Promising developments in terms of new material compositions and device physics have enabled improved performance. Yet, apart from Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGSe), most of these materials are far from their true potential, and lag competitiveness.
Therefore, the scope of this Research Topic is to call for high quality research progresses on eco-friendly materials for solar energy conversion, with a substantial focus on the conversion process mechanism and its performance.
Subjects covered in this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
• Synthesis, properties and devices based on Pb-free perovskites (Sn, Bi, Ge, Sb.. and others);
• Solvent-free vapor deposited Pb-free perovskite absorbers;
• Theoretical insights on efficiency potential, defects and stability of Pb-free absorber materials;
• Synthesis and optoelectronic properties of chalcogenide perovskites (BaZrS3, SrZrS3);
• Defect analysis and passivation strategies in low bandgap chalcopyrites Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2;
• Synthesis, characterization, defect analysis and devices based on wide bandgap chalcopyrites for tandems - Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2;
• Composition engineering, defect analysis, passivation and devices based on kesterites Cu2ZnSnS4;
• Alternative Cd-free buffer layers and KCN-free device fabrication processes for CIGS solar cells;
• Optoelectronic properties and devices based on Cu2S, FeS2 and similar sulfide materials.
Keywords: Solar Photovoltaics, Chalcogenides, Perovskites, Energy Conversion
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