Progress of Two-dimensional MXene in New-type Thin-film Solar Cells

doi:10.15541/jim20230510

Abstract

Abstract:

As renewable and sustainable clean energy, solar energy has the potential to address current energy shortage and reduce environmental pollution caused by fossil fuels consumption. In recent years, the third-generation thin-film solar cells, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs), have attracted widespread attention due to their low cost, abundant materials, and high photoelectric performance. However, these devices still face challenges in terms of charge transfer efficiency and operational stability for their commercialization. Two-dimensional (2D) MXene materials have emerged as promising candidates for improving the performance of thin-film solar cells due to their unique properties, including high specific surface area, rich surface functional groups, high conductivity, tunable work function, and hydrophilicity. This review summarizes the recent research progress of 2D MXene materials applied in new thin-film solar cells, focusing on the reaction mechanism that enhances the photoelectric performance of solar cells. Strategies such as using 2D MXene materials as additives for the perovskite layer and charge transport layer in PSCs, modifying the photoanode in DSSCs, and preparing varous electrodes, can effectively improve light absorption efficiency, carrier mobility, and charge extraction capability of the devices by adjusting band alignment, reducing work function, broadening the light absorption range, and creating a “pillar support effect”. As a result, the photoelectric performance and stability of the devices are enhanced. In conclusion, the perspectives highlights the current research progress and challenge faced by 2D MXene materials in novel thin-film solar cells.

Key words: MXene, nano-material, solar cell, photoelectric performance, energy, perspective

CLC Number:

TQ174

FEI Ling, LEI Lei, WANG Degao. Progress of Two-dimensional MXene in New-type Thin-film Solar Cells[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2024, 39(2): 215-224.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig. 1 Application of 2D MXene-based nanomaterials[13,15,18-19] (a) Ti3C2Tx//CNT-HQ hybrid supercapacitors[13]; (b) Schematic diagram of flexible biomimetic Ti3C2 MXene-based platform for extracellular superoxide biosensing[15]; (c) Schematic photocatalytic water splitting mechanism for Ti3C2@TiO2@MoS2 composites[18]; (d) Schematic photocatalytic CO2 reduction for 2D/2D heterojunction of ultrathin Ti3C2/Bi2WO6 nanosheets[19]

Fig. 2 Schematic illustration of two approaches to produce MXene by removal of A layers from MAX phases and related layered compounds[24] (1) MAX phase selectively etched in fluoride ion-containing acids; (2) MAX phase selectively etched in molten salts

Fig. 3 Absorption spectra of Ti3C2T2 MXene for small (a) and large (b) range of photon energy[35]

Fig. 4 Electronic structures of Mo2TiC2, Mo3C and Ti3C MXene[43] (a-i) Total and projected densities of states for OH-, O-, and F-terminated Mo2TiC2 (a-c), Mo3C2 (d-f), and Ti3C2 (g-i) MXenes

Fig. 5 Surface functional groups which affect the work functions of MXenes[46]

Fig. 6 Structures of novel thin-film solar cells[16-17] (a) Schematic representation of a DSSC used the MXene[16]; (b) Schematic representation of a PSC used the MXene[17]

Fig. 7 UPS curves and energy versus Fermi level of pristine and MXene-doped perovskite films[42] (a) UPS spectra in the valence band (VB) region; (b) Energy scheme for undoped and MXene-doped perovskite with respect to the EFermi. IE: Ionization energy; EVAC: Vacuum level; BE: Binding energy

Fig. 8 Photovoltaic performance of TiO2/Ti3C2Tx photoanode[52] (a, b) J-V curves (a) and IPCE curves (b) of champion DSSCs based on the TiO2 photoanode or TiO2/Ti3C2Tx photoanode under 100 mW/cm2; (c) Plots of PCE against FF of reported Z907-based DSSCs; (d) J-V curves of champion DSSCs based on the TiO2 photoanode or TiO2/Ti3C2Tx photoanode under dim light with an intensity of ∼1.9 mW/cm2 (6000 lux)

Fig. 9 Photoelectric properties of MoP/MoNiP2@Ti3C2, MoP/MoNiP2 and Pt counter electrodes[57] (a) Photocurrent density-voltage curves of DSSCs with various CEs; (b) Distribution of PCEs of the DSSCs assembled with the MoP/MoNiP2@Ti3C2-80% CE; CE: counter electrode; PCE: power conversion efficiency

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