Metal-doped chalcogenides for application in intermediate band solar cells

• Grant number: 17/15144-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: March 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales
• Grantee: Marcos Antonio Santana Andrade Junior
• Host 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

(7)

(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)

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. (14/50249-8, 13/07296-2, 17/15144-9)

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. (14/50249-8, 13/07296-2, 17/15144-9)

DE BRITO, JULIANA FERREIRA; SANTANA ANDRADE JR, MARCOS ANTONIO; BOLDRIN ZANONI, MARIA VALNICE; MASCARO, LUCIA HELENA. All-solution processed CuGaS2-based photoelectrodes for CO2 reduction. JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION, v. 57, p. 12-pg., 2022-03-01. (18/26005-2, 18/16401-8, 17/15144-9, 18/02950-0, 17/11986-5, 14/50249-8, 13/07296-2)

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. (17/15144-9, 14/50249-8, 17/11986-5, 18/26005-2, 19/26860-2, 18/16401-8, 13/07296-2)

ARAUJO, MILENY DOS SANTOS; DOS SANTOS, HUGO LEANDRO SOUSA; MEDINA, MARINA; SALOMAO, ARTHUR CORRADO; MASCARO, LUCIA HELENA; ANDRADE JUNIOR, MARCOS ANTONIO SANTANA. Vanquishing CZTSSe deep defects to enhance photoelectrocatalytic water splitting. Electrochimica Acta, v. 464, p. 7-pg., 2023-10-01. (17/15144-9, 17/11986-5, 19/26860-2, 14/50249-8, 13/07296-2, 17/12794-2, 20/09000-7)

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. (17/15144-9, 14/50249-8, 13/07296-2)

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. (19/26860-2, 17/15144-9, 13/07296-2, 20/09000-7, 17/12794-2, 17/11986-5, 14/50249-8)