Emiliano Borri, Svetlana Ushak, Yongliang Li, Andrea Frazzica, Yannan Zhang, Yanio E. Milian, Mario Grageda, Dacheng Li, Luisa F. Cabeza, Vincenza Brancato
{"title":"Formulation and development of composite materials for thermally driven and storage-integrated cooling technologies: a review","authors":"Emiliano Borri, Svetlana Ushak, Yongliang Li, Andrea Frazzica, Yannan Zhang, Yanio E. Milian, Mario Grageda, Dacheng Li, Luisa F. Cabeza, Vincenza Brancato","doi":"10.1007/s40243-024-00268-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-024-00268-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The energy consumption for cooling takes up 50% of all the consumed final energy in Europe, which still highly depends on the utilization of fossil fuels. Thus, it is required to propose and develop new technologies for cooling driven by renewable energy. Also, thermal energy storage is an emerging technology to relocate intermittent low-grade heat source, like solar thermal energy and industrial waste heat as well as to exploit off-peak electricity, for cooling applications. This review aims to summarize the recent advances in thermally driven cooling and cold storage technologies, focusing on the formation and fabrication of adopted composites materials, including sorption materials, phase change materials, and slurries. Herein, first the classifications, selection criteria, and properties for these three types of materials is discussed. Then, the application potentials of all the materials are prospected in terms of economic analysis and sustainability.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"13 3","pages":"333 - 360"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-024-00268-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141647546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel Nafion nanocomposite membranes embedded with TiO2-decorated MWCNTs for high-temperature/low relative humidity fuel cell systems","authors":"Isabella Nicotera, Luigi Coppola, Cataldo Simari","doi":"10.1007/s40243-024-00266-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-024-00266-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Extending the operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) at high temperature (i.e., 120 °C) and/or low relative humidity (< 50% RH) remains a significant challenge due to dehydration and subsequent performance failure of the Nafion electrolyte. We approached this problem by integrating the Nafion matrix with a novel hybrid nanofiller, created through direct growth of TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles on the surface of carbon nanotubes. This synthetic approach allowed to preserve an effective nanodispersion of Titania particles in the hosting matrix, thereby boosting dimensional stability, hydrophilicity, and physiochemical properties of the Nafion/MWCNTs-TiO<sub>2</sub> (NMT-x) nanocomposites compared to parental Nafion. At optimal concentration (i.e., 3 wt% with respect to the polymer), the nanocomposite membrane exhibited high transport characteristics with impressive water retention capabilities, resulting in a proton conductivity of 8.3 mS cm<sup>− 1</sup> at 80 °C and 20% RH. The Titania nanoparticles plays a key role in retaining water molecules even under dehydrating conditions, while also directly contributing to proton transport. Additionally, the long carbon nanotubes promote the formation of additional paths for proton conductivity. These combined features enabled the NMT-3 membrane to achieve a maximum power output of 307.7 mW/cm<sup>2</sup> in a single H<sub>2</sub>/air fuel cell (5 cm<sup>2</sup> active electrode area and 0.5 mg Pt/cm<sup>2</sup> at both electrodes) under very challenging conditions, specifically at 120 °C and 30% RH. This represents a significant advancement towards overcoming the limitations of traditional Nafion membranes and opens up new possibilities for high-temperature, low-humidity H<sub>2</sub>/air fuel cell applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"13 3","pages":"307 - 318"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-024-00266-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141378499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Triboelectric power generation performance of polyvinyl alcohol using ZnO–CuO–AgO trimetallic nanoparticles","authors":"Swathi Yempally, Sumalatha Bonthula, Deepalekshmi Ponnamma","doi":"10.1007/s40243-024-00264-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-024-00264-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), a new technology for gathering sustainable energy, have attracted much scientific interest. In this study, we describe a unique method for modifying the triboelectric power generation performance of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) by adding ZnO–CuO–AgO (ZCA) trimetallic nanoparticles to improve the performance of TENGs and answer the requirement for ecologically benign and biodegradable materials. Hydrothermal synthesis adopted to create ZnO–CuO–AgO trimetallic nanoparticles ensures a distinctive structure with a large surface area, essential for enhancing triboelectric power generation. From the AFM results, it is evident that 1% PVA/ZCA showed the highest output voltage of 0.27V. Despite following the general trend, at higher concentrations of ZCA nanofiller in the PVA matrix, the enhancement of output voltage is not observed, which can be attributed to the non-uniform distribution. The effect of spin-coated film thickness and nanoparticle concentration on the triboelectric performance of the PVA nanogenerator is studied by monitoring the open-circuit voltage in response to various mechanical stimuli. Finally, the developed biodegradable nanogenerators in this study can be used for sustainable energy harvesting applications such as wearable electronics, self-powered sensors, and environmental monitoring systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"13 2","pages":"265 - 277"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-024-00264-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141115311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Rodríguez-Buenrostro, A. Martínez-Lázaro, M. V. Contreras-Martínez, Ashutosh Sharma, G. Luna Barcenas, Goldie oza, A. Arenillas, J. Ledesma-García, L. G. Arriaga
{"title":"Mesoporous Pdx-Nix aerogels for electrocatalytic evaluation of urea-assisted electrolysis","authors":"A. Rodríguez-Buenrostro, A. Martínez-Lázaro, M. V. Contreras-Martínez, Ashutosh Sharma, G. Luna Barcenas, Goldie oza, A. Arenillas, J. Ledesma-García, L. G. Arriaga","doi":"10.1007/s40243-024-00265-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-024-00265-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This work presents the synthesis and evaluation of Pd-Ni aerogels toward the urea oxidation reaction (UOR). The incorporation of Ni led to a 0.13 V reduction in the energy required for the oxidation and reduction of PdO compared to monometallic Pd, both in alkaline medium with and without urea. Varying the Ni ratios in Pd (Pd-Ni 4:1, Pd-Ni 1:1, and Pd-Ni 1:4) led to significant changes in the electrochemical behaviour. In alkaline medium without urea, PdNi 4:1 showed the formation of NiOOH at 1.35 V, which promoted oxygen diffusion on the electrode surface and increased the current density, confirming the increase in the active sites of NiOOH and NiPdOOH and enabling urea-based electrolysis at these sites. While palladium aerogels alone are ineffective for UOR, the presence of nickel plays a key role in enhancing the UOR efficiency. On the other hand, physicochemical characterisation revealed that PdNi 4:1 has a crystal size of 4.37 nm and a larger shift in the 2θ positions of the (111) and (200) planes, which favours electronic changes that were investigated by XPS. These changes affected the electrocatalytic activity, which is primarily related to electronic effects. The results of SEM and TEM studies and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm confirmed that the aerogels are highly porous and have an effective surface area and abundant active sites for reactions that allow efficient mass transfer and low diffusion resistance. TEM observations revealed interconnected nanochains indicating optimal electrocatalytic activity for both ORR and UOR due to high mass transfer. These interconnected networks are crucial for improving electrocatalytic activity in the urea oxidation reaction.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"13 2","pages":"255 - 264"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-024-00265-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140962788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael Lubwama, Agatha Birungi, Andrew Nuwamanya, Vianney Andrew Yiga
{"title":"Characteristics of rice husk biochar briquettes with municipal solid waste cassava, sweet potato and matooke peelings as binders","authors":"Michael Lubwama, Agatha Birungi, Andrew Nuwamanya, Vianney Andrew Yiga","doi":"10.1007/s40243-024-00262-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-024-00262-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Rice husks are not readily biodegradable making their disposal challenging due to the common disposal method of open burning which has negative environmental effects. Additionally, banana, sweet potato and cassava peelings form a large percentage of organic municipal solid waste. Therefore, this study developed rice husk biochar briquettes with organic municipal peelings waste as binders. Rice husks biochar was formed via carbonization processes in a step-down kiln at temperatures ranging between 400 and 500 °C. Organic binders were mixed with the rice husk biochar at different ratios of 10% and 15% before being compacted at a pressure ≤ 7 MPa into briquettes. Thermogravimetric results showed that the developed briquettes had high ash contents ranging from 44% to 47%. Rice husk biochar briquettes with the highest particle density were observed for briquettes with 15% cassava peel binder at 427.1 kg/m<sup>3</sup>. The highest HHV and maximum attainable flame temperature of 21.75 MJ/kg and 828.7 °C were obtained for rice husk biochar briquettes with 15% matooke peeling organic binder. For all rice husk biochar briquettes, increasing the organic peeling binder had a positive impact of reducing the ash content, while at the same time increasing the peak temperatures, thus contributing to their enhanced thermal stability.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"13 2","pages":"243 - 254"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-024-00262-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140973285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Charles Lois I. Flores, Gaurav Gupta, Mohamed Mamlouk, Mary Donnabelle L. Balela
{"title":"Enhancing the physicochemical properties of nickel cobaltite catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction in anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers","authors":"Charles Lois I. Flores, Gaurav Gupta, Mohamed Mamlouk, Mary Donnabelle L. Balela","doi":"10.1007/s40243-024-00258-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-024-00258-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Hierarchical hollow urchin-like nickel cobaltite (NiCo<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) was synthesized using a two-step hydrothermal method. The effects of metal composition and surfactant addition on the morphology, structure, and electrochemical performance toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) were investigated. The addition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) reduced particle aggregation, resulting in a higher electrochemical active surface area and electrical conductivity. Lowering the Ni content from 1.0 to 0.25 did not alter the morphology and structure of the product to any extent. However, the crystallite size slightly increased. Among the spinels with different Ni and Co compositions, NiCo<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> exhibited a superior OER electrocatalytic activity, achieving a 380 mV overpotential at 10 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> current density. It also delivered a good performance in an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) using 1 M NaOH at 60 °C, reaching a current density of about 420 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> at a cell voltage of 1.95 V.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"13 3","pages":"279 - 290"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-024-00258-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140930310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abbas Fadhil Khalaf, Farhan Lafta Rashid, Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi, Arman Ameen, Hayder I. Mohammed
{"title":"Numerical investigation of the effect of an air layer on the melting process of phase change materials","authors":"Abbas Fadhil Khalaf, Farhan Lafta Rashid, Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi, Arman Ameen, Hayder I. Mohammed","doi":"10.1007/s40243-024-00261-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-024-00261-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Designing more effective thermal energy storage devices can result from understanding how air layers impact the melting process. The total efficiency of these systems can be improved by optimizing the melting process of the phase change materials (PCMs), which are utilised to store and release thermal energy. The current study utilises an analysis to evaluate how an air layer would affect melting of the PCM. The enthalpy-porosity combination based ANSYS/FLUENT 16 software is specifically used to accomplish this study, considering the paraffin wax (RT42) as the PCM. The study reveal that the presence of an air layer would impact the dissolution process. This result is assured an increase of melting time of PCM by 125% as a result to having an air layer of 5 cm thickness compared to a cell without an air layer. Furthermore, an increase of the layer thickness beyond 5 cm has a progressive effect on the melting time of PCM. One important component that affects the melting process is the existence of an air layer above the cell. Greater heat transfer resistance from thicker air layers prolongs the time needed to finish melting. The efficient heat transmission of PCM is shown to be reduced when there is an air layer above the cell. The melting process gradually slows down as the air layer thickness rises, which reflects the decreased heat transmission. These results highlight how crucial it is to take the environment into account while creating PCM-filled energy storage cells.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"13 3","pages":"291 - 305"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-024-00261-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140930028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"CO2 conversion to synthetic fuels using flow cell reactor over Cu and Ag based cathodes","authors":"Sabrina C. Zignani, Antonino S. Aricò","doi":"10.1007/s40243-024-00263-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-024-00263-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>As a result of electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>), value-added chemicals like as synthetic fuels and chemical feedstocks can be produced. In the current state of the art, copper-based materials are most widely used being the most effective catalysts for this reaction. It is still necessary to improve the reaction rate and product selectivity of CuOx for electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction (CO<sub>2</sub>RR). The main objective of this work was synthesized and evaluate the copper oxide electrocatalyst combined with silver (CuO 70% Ag 30%) for the conversion of carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels. The catalysts have been prepared by the oxalate method and assessed in a flow cell system. The results of electrochemical experiments were carried out at room temperature and at different potentials (-1.05 V–0.75 V vs. RHE in presence of 0.1 M KHCO<sub>3</sub>) and gas and liquid chromatographic analysis are summarized. The CuOx-based electrodes demonstrated the selective of ~ 25% at -0.55 V for formic acid (HCOOH) and over CuO -Ag and selective of ethylene at ~ 20% over CuOx at -1.05 V. Other products were formed as ethylene, ethanol, and propanol (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>, EtOH, PrOH) at more positive potentials. On the other hand, carbon monoxide, acetate, ethylene glycol, propinaldehyde, glycoaldehyde and glyoxal (CO, CH<sub>3</sub>COO, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>O, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) have been formed and detected. Based on the results of these studies, it appears that the formation of synthetic fuels from CO<sub>2</sub> at room temperature in alkaline environment can be very promising.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"13 2","pages":"233 - 241"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-024-00263-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140930033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nour-eddine Lazar, Driss Mazkad, Hamza Kharti, Fatma Yalcinkaya, Andrea Pietrelli, Vincenzo Ferrara, Noureddine Touach, Abdellah Benzaouak, Mohammed El Mahi, El Mostapha Lotfi
{"title":"Maximizing power generation in single-chamber microbial fuel cells: the role of LiTa0.5Nb0.5O3/g-C3N4 photocatalyst","authors":"Nour-eddine Lazar, Driss Mazkad, Hamza Kharti, Fatma Yalcinkaya, Andrea Pietrelli, Vincenzo Ferrara, Noureddine Touach, Abdellah Benzaouak, Mohammed El Mahi, El Mostapha Lotfi","doi":"10.1007/s40243-024-00259-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-024-00259-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have attracted a great deal of attention as a promising technology for recovering electricity from organic substances by harnessing the metabolic activities of microorganisms. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a LiTa<sub>0.5</sub>Nb<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> (LTN/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) heterojunction as a photocathode catalyst within a single-chamber microbial fuel cell operating under both light irradiation and dark conditions. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the composite catalyst, revealing its exceptional purity and unique properties. After 120 h of exposure to visible light, the maximal power density of the MFC containing LTN/g-C3N4-modified carbon cloth was determined to be 667.7 mW/m<sup>3</sup>. The power density achieved with the presence of light was approximately three times greater than the power density obtained without light in the MFC (235.64 mW/m<sup>3</sup>). In addition, the study determined that the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 88.4% and 66.5% when exposed to light and in the absence of light, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the non-precious LTN/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> photocatalyst as a viable alternative for effective wastewater treatment and power generation in microbial fuel cells with a single chamber configuration.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"13 2","pages":"209 - 218"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-024-00259-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140930027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Mortadi, E. El Hafidi, H. Nasrellah, M. Monkade, R. El Moznine
{"title":"Analysis and optimization of lead-free perovskite solar cells: investigating performance and electrical characteristics","authors":"A. Mortadi, E. El Hafidi, H. Nasrellah, M. Monkade, R. El Moznine","doi":"10.1007/s40243-024-00260-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-024-00260-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Several studies on solar cells using SCAPS-1D were conducted to investigate their performance, which are typically limited to I–V analysis for DC characterization. Therefore, in the present study, a very wide frequency range from 10<sup>–2</sup> Hz to 10<sup>12</sup> Hz was employed to explore diffusion processes and investigate the performance of lead-free Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) featuring as a novel heterostructure. These investigations concern the optimization of MASnI<sub>3</sub> thickness as an absorber. Additionally, the impact of series (Rs) and shunt (Rsh) resistances is also examined. From the I–V analysis, it was determined that the power efficiency (PCE) could be achieved at a thickness of 0.6 µm. Increasing the series resistance (Rs) led to a significant decrease in the fill factor (FF) and (PCE), whereas the shunt resistance (Rsh) demonstrated a notable improvement in both (FF) and (PCE). Analysis of AC characteristics revealed complex impedance (Z*) and modulus (M*) indicative of main ionic transport, recombination, and diffusion processes crucial for optimization. An appropriate equivalent circuit model was developed and validated through deconvolution and theoretical considerations, yielding parameters such as the time constant for each process. It was observed that ionic conductivity and electronic diffusion play key roles in balancing charge collection and recombination losses. The critical influence of series and shunt resistance on low and high-frequency processes was emphasized, underscoring their significance in solar cell efficiency. A strong correlation was established between the evolution of time constants for each process and power conversion efficiency (PCE).</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"13 2","pages":"219 - 232"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-024-00260-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140657248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}