Dr. Marek Szindler
Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Poland
Title: Nanomaterials Used in Photovoltaics
Abstract:
Background: The photovoltaic
energy industry is one of the fastest growing industries. The main goal of
scientific research in the field of photovoltaics is to increase the efficiency
of solar cells and
a decrease in the prices of their
production, installation and operation. Progress is possible through the
improvement of joints, contacts and geometric features of solar cells, methods
of their surface treatment and the use of new engineering materials with unique
properties. This is where nanomaterials come with help, the
properties of which differ from their micro counterparts.
Objective: One of the research
directions is the use of nano-thin films in silicon solar cells. To achieve the
highest possible efficiency of photoelectric conversion, it is necessary to
ensure the lowest possible loss of light reflection from the surface of the
silicon substrate. This property is obtained by depositing antireflection
coatings. The second direction of research concerns the use of
nanoparticles and nanowires in dye sensitized solar cells, both in the
photoanode and the counter electrode. The dye sensitized solar
cells are characterized primarily by the simplicity of production and low
sensitivity to temperature changes, and the materials used for their production
are non-toxic. The use of nanocomposites has a positive effect on the LHE light
absorption efficiency of a dye sensitized solar cell, increasing its
efficiency.
Methods: The thin films have
been deposited on silicon wafers substrates by an atomic layer deposition (ALD)
method on silicon substrate. On the other hand the sol-gel method was used to
prepared the nanoparticles. The sol-gel
method does not require complicated devices and high financial costs, and the
creation of nanomaterials does not require high temperature. The ZnO/NiO
nanoparticles layers with a different percentage share of individual components
deposited by screen printing on a glass substrate were developed. Current-voltage
characteristics of monocrystalline solar cells were measured using a solar
simulator SS150AAA model. The measurements were performed under standard
conditions (Pin =1000 W/m2, AM1.5G spectrum, T = 25 ° C).
Results: Even and continuous
layers of low roughness were deposited by the ALD method. The light reflection
was minimized below 5%. The difference in efficiency of silicon solar cells
with and without an antireflection coating is equal 5.28%. In
the case of dye sensitized solar cells, The best results were obtained for a
solar cell containing a ZnO / NiO nanocomposite with 70/30 ratio and its
efficiency was 4.46%.
Conclusion: Basing on obtained
results, we can conclude that thin films obtained with the ALD deposition
method have good antireflection properties and could be applied in photovoltaic
industry as an antireflection coating of silicon solar cells. And
in the case of dye solar cells, we can effectively replace classic titanium
oxide with other nanomaterials
Biography:
Marek
Szindler is employed at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Silesian
University of Technology (Gliwice, Poland) as an assistant professor. He
conducts research in the field of Nanomaterials, photovoltaics, in particular
silicon solar cells and dye sensitized solar cells. He specializes in the
deposition of layers using vacuum methods (including ALD and PVD) and in the
synthesis of nanoparticles by the sol gel method.
· Category*: Oral
presentation (Online)
· Research Interest*: Nanomaterials,
photovoltaics, silicon solar cells, dye sensitized solar cells