Metal-doped chalcogenides for application in intermediate band solar cells

• Grant number: 17/15144-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal researcher: Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales
• Grantee: Marcos Antonio Santana Andrade Junior
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/26005-2 - Metal-doped chalcogenides for all-solution processed thin film solar cells, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Intermediate Band Solar Cells (IBSC) have been proposed as devices able to achieve upper limits of energy conversion efficiency. In this type of devices, low energy photons will be more availed if, a collection of allowed electronic states within the band-gap of the absorber layer effectively divide the main gap in two smaller gaps. The ternary chalcogenide, CuGaS2, has a broad band-gap (2.4 eV), allowing to obtain an intermediate band gap by doping with transition metals. In this research proposal, doping chalcogenides with V, Nb, Sb, and Bi, elements more abundant and less toxic than traditional elements used in thin film solar cells, will produce isolated and partially fulfilled intermediate bands which will increase the promotion of electrons from valence and intermediate band to the conduction band. The metal-doped semiconductors will be applied as absorbers in high efficiency photovoltaic devices. Thin films of doped and undoped CuGaS2 will be prepared by electrodeposition and by spray of precursor nanoparticles solution. The efficiency of the solar cells will be evaluated as a function of the type and concentration of the doping metals. Besides, the behavior and position of the intermediate bands and the mechanism of charge transfer in the solar cells will be analyzed and elucidated. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SALOMAO, ARTHUR CORRADO; DOS SANTOS ARAUJO, MILENY; DOS SANTOS, HUGO LEANDRO SOUSA; MEDINA, MARINA; MASCARO, LUCIA HELENA; ANDRADE JUNIOR, MARCOS ANTONIO SANTANA. owards Highly Efficient Chalcopyrite Photocathodes for Water Splitting: The Use of Cocatalysts beyond P. CHEMSUSCHEM, v. 14, n. 21 SEP 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.

DIAS, JEFERSON A.; ANDRADE JR, MARCOS A. S.; SANTOS, HUGO L. S.; MORELLI, MARCIO R.; MASCARO, LUCIA H. Lanthanum-Based Perovskites for Catalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction. CHEMELECTROCHEM, v. 7, n. 15 JUN 2020. Web of Science Citations: 1.

ANDRADE JR, MARCOS A. S.; GROMBONI, MURILO F.; SOARES, LEANDRO L.; MASCARO, LUCIA H. Double-Pulse Electrodeposition of CuGaS2 Photovoltaic Thin Film. CHEMELECTROCHEM, v. 6, n. 12, p. 2998-3001, JUN 14 2019. Web of Science Citations: 0.

ANDRADE, JR., MARCOS A. S.; MASCARO, LUCIA H. Photoelectrocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene on Bi-doped CuGaS2 films. Chemosphere, v. 212, p. 79-86, DEC 2018. Web of Science Citations: 6.

ANDRADE, JR., MARCOS A. S.; MASCARO, LUCIA H. Bismuth doping on CuGaS2 thin films: structural and optical properties. MRS COMMUNICATIONS, v. 8, n. 2, p. 504-508, JUN 2018. Web of Science Citations: 0.