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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.

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.

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.