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Obtaining maximum efficiency is one of the key elements of renewable energy sources in the present era. In this context, the research focuses on enhancing the power conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells through anti-reflective coating. Better light transmittance in silicon solar cells with anti-reflective thin film coatings results in higher power conversion efficiency. The RF sputtering technique was employed to deposit the thin film of ARCs on polycrystalline Si solar cells. Blends of metal oxides such as SiO2, TiO2, and ZrO2 have been employed in different combinations to achieve a higher PCE. Using the RF sputtering technique, the coating was uniform. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were both used to examine the structural and morphological characteristics of ARC-coated and uncoated silicon solar cells, respectively. By employing the four-point probe approach, the electrical resistivity was measured in the dark and at room temperature. Solar cell samples were examined for their optical properties through UV–visible spectroscopy. By comparing the efficiency of the ARC-coated and uncoated solar cell samples, it is evident that solar cells coated with the SiO2/TiO2/ZrO2 mechanical blend show an improved PCE of 19.8% under open atmospheric conditions and 21.93% under controlled atmospheric conditions compared to the uncoated, SiO2, TiO2, and ZrO2-coated cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present scenario indefinitely needs certain developments in the field of renewable energy as an effective replacement of conventional energy sources. Reflection loss in solar cell is one of the reasons for reduction in power conversion efficiency which can be controlled through antireflective coatings on solar cell surface. This current research focuses on the development of MoSe2 nano-crystalline structure as an effective antireflective material for attaining enhanced light trapping ability. Electrospraying technique was taken into account for the deposition of thin films over the solar cell surface. Transition metal chalcogenide MoSe2 was deposited under argon atmosphere with the coating time of 30–120 min. The impact of thin film MoSe2 coating on solar cell surface was determined through optical, electrical, morphological and thermal studies. The thickness of optimal MoSe2 coating was found to be 761 nm through Atomic Force Microscopy technique. The maximum optical transmittance of 87.6 % was achieved at 90 min of coating (D3) within the spectrum of 300 to 800 nm wavelength. The minimum electrical resistivity of 90 min coated MoSe2 thin film coating over multicrystalline silicon solar cell was measured as 3.93 × 10− 3 Ω-cm. The enhanced power conversion efficiency of MoSe2 coated solar cell under open and closed conditions were found to be 17.13 and 18.67 % especially for D3 solar cell sample, which facilitates maximum transmission of incident photons into the solar cell. From the observed results, it is evident that MoSe2 nanostructure was found to be promising antireflection coating material for multicrystalline silicon solar cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research effort focused on enhancing the power conversion performance of silicon solar cells by minimizing the scattering of incident photons on the solar cell surface. This can be achieved through antireflective thin-film coatings. The main purpose of antireflective coatings is to minimize the reflection of incident light radiation. Silicon solar cells with antireflective thin-film coatings exhibit better light transmittance, and hence power conversion efficiency is improved. Metal chalcogenides are materials with a wider energy band gap and possess better electrical and optical properties. This study aims at using zinc selenide (ZnSe), a metal chalcogenide, as an antireflective coating material. ZnSe was synthesized through a room-temperature thermal evaporation technique. Further, coating of ZnSe on the silicon solar cell was done using an electrospraying technique. The optimal solar cell sample (D3) with thickness of 1.32 µm exhibited maximum transmittance of 95.8% in the visible spectrum. The electrical resistivity of the D3 sample under neodymium radiation was noted as 3.43 × 10−5 Ω m, which was lower than other coated samples. The output efficiency of the sample was found to be 19.95%, which was a 4.58% improvement over pristine solar cells. Based on the observations, it is evident that the synthesized ZnSe is a promising coating material for controlling reflection loss and increasing power conversion efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research focuses on sol-gel derived synthesis and RF sputter deposition of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) over polycrystalline Si solar cell. Various coating layers were obtained under different sputter deposition at regular intervals. The influence of MoS2 sputter coating on optical, thermal chemical structural properties was examined through various characterisation techniques. 30 minutes coated solar cell reported maximum light transmittance of 95 % in the visible spectrum and minimum electrical resistivity of 2 × 10-3ohm-cm. 30 minutes coated solar cell exhibited maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.19 % (open source) and 21.01 % (controlled source). Thermal imaging data reveal that the optimal coating layer experiences a minimum temperature of 33.9 °C and 49.9 °C. From experimental results, sputter deposited MoS2 Si solar cells experience minimum light reflectance and enhanced cell performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent zinc sulfide (ZnS)-aluminium sulfide (Al2S3) composite thin-films are deposited on silicon solar cells through radio frequency (RF) sputtering method at room temperature to investigate the structural, optical, electrical, and thermal characteristics. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the presence of the powder sample (ZnS-Al2S3) and its average crystallite size is 15.83 nm. The minimum electrical resistivity (ρ), maximum hall mobility (μ), and carrier concentration (N) of ZnS-Al2S3 nano-layer coated solar cells are measured to be 2.98 × 10−3 Ω cm, 14.89 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 24.88 × 1020 cm−3 respectively. For a time period of 25 min, ZnS-Al2S3 nano-layer sputter coating produces the maximum power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 19.38% and 21%, obtained at open and controlled atmospheric conditions, respectively. The influence of operating temperature at both these open and controlled atmospheric conditions for ZnS-Al2S3 nano-layer coated silicon solar cells is observed. The ZnS-Al2S3 composite demonstrates the properties of a desirable anti-reflection coating material for enhancing the PCE of solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites are increasingly replacing commercial composite materials. The limitations of conventional composites materials are overcome by green composites, which are easily available, more eco-friendly and less toxic. In the current scenario, green composites are emerging in the field of material science that involves improving their physical, mechanical and thermal properties. The poor interfacial adhesion and surface incompatibility between natural fibre and biodegradable polymers lead to reduced physico-mechanical properties. In order to overcome this issue, physical and chemical modification methodologies of the natural fibre and polymer matrix are employed, among which the addition of coupling agents has a critical contribution. This paper compiles several recent research works in the utilization of coupling agents such as silane, maleic anhydride, isocyanate, triazine, etc., with the various combinations of natural fibres and polymers. In addition to this, the extents of influence of coupling agents on the characteristics of the natural fibre reinforced composite materials are also reported. This gives an overview for the future researchers to identify the gap in the field of green composite materials and novel coupling agents for different natural fibre/polymer matrix combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]