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oa Application of Nanotechnology in Hybrid Solar Cells
- Publisher: Hamad bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press)
- Source: Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum Proceedings, Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum Volume 2011 Issue 1, Nov 2011, Volume 2011, EGO10
Abstract
Plastic/organic /polymer photovoltaic solar cells are fourth generation cells however the efficiency, thermal stability and cost of fourth generation solar cells are still not sufficient to replace conventional solar cells. Hybrid solar cells have been one of the alternate technologies to harness solar power into electrical power to overcome the high cost of conventional solar cells. This review paper has focused on the concept of hybrid solar cells with the combination of organic/polymer materials, blended with inorganic semiconducting materials. The paper presents the importance of nanoscale materials and its shape and size, nanotubes, nanowire, nanocrystal, which can increase the efficiency of the solar cells. The study shows that nanomaterials have immense potential and application of nanomaterials (inorganic/organic/polymer) can improve the performance of photovoltaic solar cells. Tuning of nanomaterials increase the functionality, band gap, optical absorption and shape of the materials, in multiple orders compared to micro scale materials. Hybrid solar cells have unique properties of inorganic semiconductors along with the film forming properties of conjugated polymers. Hybrid materials have great potential because of their unique properties and are showing great results at the preliminary stages of research. The advantage of organic/polymer is easy processing; roll to roll production, lighter weight, flexible shape and size of the solar cells. Application of nanotechnology in hybrid solar cells has opened the door to manufacturing of a new class of high performance devices.