Topic
Solar energy
About: Solar energy is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 73242 publications have been published within this topic receiving 1072640 citations. The topic is also known as: solar power.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reported a new record total area efficiency of 19·9% for thin-film solar cells using three-stage co-evaporation with a modified surface termination.
Abstract: We report a new record total-area efficiency of 19·9% for CuInGaSe2-based thin-film solar cells. Improved performance is due to higher fill factor. The device was made by three-stage co-evaporation with a modified surface termination. Growth conditions, device analysis, and basic film characterization are presented. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1,964 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the fabrication, properties, and solar energy applications of highly ordered TiO 2 nanotube arrays made by anodic oxidation of titanium in fluoride-based electrolytes are reviewed.
1,905 citations
TL;DR: Although attempts at artificial photosynthesis fall short of the efficiencies necessary for practical application, they illustrate that solar fuel production inspired by natural photosynthesis is achievable in the laboratory.
Abstract: Because sunlight is diffuse and intermittent, substantial use of solar energy to meet humanity’s needs will probably require energy storage in dense, transportable media via chemical bonds. Practical, cost effective technologies for conversion of sunlight directly into useful fuels do not currently exist, and will require new basic science. Photosynthesis provides a blueprint for solar energy storage in fuels. Indeed, all of the fossil-fuel-based energy consumed today derives from sunlight harvested by photosynthetic organisms. Artificial photosynthesis research applies the fundamental scientific principles of the natural process to the design of solar energy conversion systems. These constructs use different materials, and researchers tune them to produce energy efficiently and in forms useful to humans. Fuel production via natural or artificial photosynthesis requires three main components. First, antenna/reaction center complexes absorb sunlight and convert the excitation energy to electrochemical ener...
1,757 citations
TL;DR: The fundamental principles of energy transfer and photocatalysis are summarized and an overview of the latest progress in energy transfer, light-harvesting, photocatalytic proton and CO2 reduction, and water oxidation using MOFs is provided.
Abstract: Solar energy is an alternative, sustainable energy source for mankind. Finding a convenient way to convert sunlight energy into chemical energy is a key step towards realizing large-scale solar energy utilization. Owing to their structural regularity and synthetic tunability, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) provide an interesting platform to hierarchically organize light-harvesting antennae and catalytic centers to achieve solar energy conversion. Such photo-driven catalytic processes not only play a critical role in the solar to chemical energy conversion scheme, but also provide a novel methodology for the synthesis of fine chemicals. In this review, we summarize the fundamental principles of energy transfer and photocatalysis and provide an overview of the latest progress in energy transfer, light-harvesting, photocatalytic proton and CO2 reduction, and water oxidation using MOFs. The applications of MOFs in organic photocatalysis and degradation of model organic pollutants are also discussed.
1,717 citations
TL;DR: On the eve of commercialization of organic solar cells, this review provides an overview over efficiencies attained with small molecules/oligomers in OSCs and reflects materials and device concepts developed over the last decade.
Abstract: This article is written from an organic chemist's point of view and provides an up-to-date review about organic solar cells based on small molecules or oligomers as absorbers and in detail deals with devices that incorporate planar-heterojunctions (PHJ) and bulk heterojunctions (BHJ) between a donor (p-type semiconductor) and an acceptor (n-type semiconductor) material. The article pays particular attention to the design and development of molecular materials and their performance in corresponding devices. In recent years, a substantial amount of both, academic and industrial research, has been directed towards organic solar cells, in an effort to develop new materials and to improve their tunability, processability, power conversion efficiency, and stability. On the eve of commercialization of organic solar cells, this review provides an overview over efficiencies attained with small molecules/oligomers in OSCs and reflects materials and device concepts developed over the last decade. Approaches to enhancing the efficiency of organic solar cells are analyzed.
1,649 citations