Editorial Feature

Graphene: The Future of Solar Cells?

Better access to renewable energy sources has become a major concern for developing countries in recent times. Solar energy has been at the forefront of nations' efforts to develop new technologies, and scientists are continuously looking for new methods to develop efficient energy-generating systems. Graphene, a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon, is a relatively new material that has received attention for its efficient capabilities.

solar energy, solar, energy, renewable energy, solar power

Image Credit: liu yangjun/Shutterstock.com

该纳米材料的非凡电气特征使科学家感到惊讶,其发现者于2010年获得了诺贝尔奖。石墨烯已超过期望和以前的基准,这是自开发以来世界上最强和最轻巧的材料。

Scientists have achieved significant improvements in the production of graphene after researching the material for many years, resulting in a plethora of techniques for generating the material. Due to its unique characteristics, graphene has received interest for its potential application in the development of solar cells.

Indium tin oxide and silicon are currently utilized to make solar cells, but scientists have determined that they are inefficient and expensive in comparison to graphene. Because graphene is a more durable, conducive, and transparent material, it should be deployed to replace the conventional materials used in solar cells.

石墨烯的特性

石墨烯是一种碳基材料,其原子以六角形图案组织。它具有类似石墨的结构,但其密度与碳纤维相同,并且比铝轻的五倍。该纳米材料被分类为2D,因为其厚度与碳原子一样薄。

On the other hand, despite its thinness, it has a strength of up to 200 times that of steel. To the list of graphene's properties, we must add that it is a good conductor of heat and electricity, as well as transparent, waterproof, and flexible.

Graphene-based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Researchers have examined the efficiency of graphene in solar cells by using it on a thin film-like photovoltaic cell known as a "dye-sensitized solar cell." The scientists changed the solar cell by adding a sheet of graphene and covering it with indium tin oxide and plastic transparent backing.

The use of graphene in solar panels is not new, as it was created as a non-reflective covering for solar cells. Since researchers are pushing graphene's capabilities to gather energy from renewable sources, they have been able to generate thousands of microvolts while achieving a solar panel efficiency of 6.53 percent.

Synthesis of Graphene for Solar Cells

生产石墨烯的最重要方法之一是使用苏格兰胶带方法。其他方法包括CVD和最近发现的实验方法,可将石墨烯材料暴露于一系列温度变化。苏格兰胶带方法是由两位科学家首先使用的,他们首先发现石墨烯。

solar energy, solar, energy, renewable energy, solar power

Image Credit: My Portfolio/Shutterstock.com

Normal duct tape was used by the scientists to peel away layers of graphene using pure graphite until just one layer of graphene remained. Because of the opacity of the material, graphene may be detected under a microscope after the duct tape component has been dissolved in acetone and dried.

尽管这是生成石墨烯的最常见方法,但它不适合制造太阳能电池。尽管很小,但即使是几层石墨烯也是太阳能电池生产的理想选择。这种方法使科学家可以快速尝试材料,以发现新方法以提高其性能。

Chemical Vapor Disposition (CVD) looks to be the most suited approach for producing graphene in solar cells. The deposition of gaseous reactants onto a metal substrate is known as CVD.

碳气体分子在反应室中加热,当它们与腔室的底物接触时,“发生的反应会在底物表面产生材料层。”底物的温度确定将发生的反应类型,并且基板通常以石墨烯的速度覆盖,速度缓慢,每小时添加微米的石墨烯。CVD产生的高质量石墨烯非常纯净,同时仍然是低成本的。

Advantages of Graphene-based Solar Cells

由于石墨烯片非常薄,因此生产石墨烯太阳能电池只需要最少的原材料数量,从而大大降低了价格。亚博网站下载由于其灵活性,科学家已经能够开发出硅无法生成的广泛的太阳能电池。

This might result in technological breakthroughs that have never been seen before. Graphene's transparency and flexibility make it ideal for solar use in spaceflight and aircraft, and these properties might make flexible solar cell installation easier. There are a lot of possibilities when it comes to adapting graphene to solar cells because of its physical and electrical qualities, and its usage would be extremely useful to individuals who consume a lot of energy.

Graphene is a layered substance that may be manipulated to make several kinds of solar cells. Scientists have created very tiny solar panels out of graphene using two layers of this atom-thick substance. These devices would only convert photons to electricity with a 1% to 2% efficiency, but these layers may be layered to increase the material's efficiency. Stacking graphene might bring its efficiency closer to that of silicon solar cells, which is 15 to 20%.

由于其众多优势,公司应在太阳能电池的生产中使石墨烯成为其首选材料,因为它将允许高效吸收能量,从而胜过现有材料。亚博网站下载

Low Temperature Electrical Resistance in Super Thin Graphene

References and Further Reading

A. Altuntepe, A. Seyhan, and R. Zan, “Graphene for Si-based solar cells,”J. Mol. Struct.,卷。1200, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2019.127055.https://ur.booksc.eu/book/76924118/ad7404

K. Kumar and B. C. Yadav, “An Overview on the Importance of Chemical Vapour Deposition Technique for Graphene Synthesis,”ADV。科学。工程。医学,卷。10, no. 7, pp. 760–763, 2018, doi: 10.1166/asem.2018.2241.https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/asp/asem/2018/00000010/f0020007/art00025

H. Wang, T. Maiyalagan, and X. Wang, “Review on recent progress in nitrogen-doped graphene: Synthesis, characterization, and its potential applications,”ACS Catal.,卷。2,不。5,第781–794页,2012年,doi:10.1021/cs200652y。https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/cs200652y

X. Miaoet al., Nano Lett.,2012,12,2745 High Efficiency Graphene Solar Cells by Chemical Doping.pdf,” pp. 6–11, 2012.https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/nl204414u

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of theTerms and conditionsof use of this website.

Usman Ahmed

Written by

Usman Ahmed

Usman holds a master's degree in Material Science and Engineering from Xian Jiaotong University, China. He worked on various research projects involving Aerospace Materials, Nanocomposite coatings, Solar Cells, and Nano-technology during his studies. He has been working as a freelance Material Engineering consultant since graduating. He has also published high-quality research papers in international journals with a high impact factor. He enjoys reading books, watching movies, and playing football in his spare time.

引用

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    艾哈迈德,乌斯曼。(2021, December 29). Graphene: The Future of Solar Cells?. AZoM. Retrieved on January 31, 2023 from //www.washintong.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=21100.

  • MLA

    艾哈迈德,乌斯曼。"Graphene: The Future of Solar Cells?".azom. 31 January 2023. .

  • 芝加哥

    艾哈迈德,乌斯曼。"Graphene: The Future of Solar Cells?". AZoM. //www.washintong.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=21100. (accessed January 31, 2023).

  • Harvard

    艾哈迈德,乌斯曼。2021。Graphene: The Future of Solar Cells?. AZoM, viewed 31 January 2023, //www.washintong.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=21100.

Tell Us What You Think

您是否有评论,更新或您想添加到本文中的任何内容?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit