Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects
Abstract This paper explores the development of an opto-thermal-electrical model for plasmonic Schottky solar cells (PSSCs) using a comprehensive multiphysics approach. We simulated the optical properties, power conversion efficiencies, and energy yield of PSSCs with varying nanoparticle (NP) config...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82979-3 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832571759383019520 |
|---|---|
| author | Brahim Aïssa Ahmer A. Baloch Adnan Ali Anirban Mitra |
| author_facet | Brahim Aïssa Ahmer A. Baloch Adnan Ali Anirban Mitra |
| author_sort | Brahim Aïssa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This paper explores the development of an opto-thermal-electrical model for plasmonic Schottky solar cells (PSSCs) using a comprehensive multiphysics approach. We simulated the optical properties, power conversion efficiencies, and energy yield of PSSCs with varying nanoparticle (NP) configurations and sizes. Our spectral analysis focused on the absorption characteristics of these solar cells, examining systems sized 3 × 3, 5 × 5, and 7 × 7, with NP radii ranging from 10 to 150 nm. The study addresses a significant gap in solar cell research by presenting a novel multi-physics energy yield model for PSSCs decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) on silicon absorbers. This integrated framework uniquely couples optical, electrical, and thermal responses for the prediction of global energy yield maps. Total spectral heat absorption was evaluated over a range of 300 nm to 1200 nm. This spectral heating was further deconvoluted into nanoparticle heating and thermalization heating in a silicon absorber. The findings indicated that the 5 × 5 NP array with a 70 nm radius enhances electrical performance, with the short-circuit current density (Jsc) reaching 11.54 mA/cm2—A 47% improvement compared to traditional bare silicon Schottky cells of 2 μm thickness. However, this electrical enhancement was also accompanied by a significant increase in heat generation within the nanoparticles, with thermal gains up to 182.5% relative to the bare silicon cells. This substantial rise in thermal energy highlights the critical need for advanced thermal management strategies to mitigate overheating and ensure the overall efficiency of plasmonic-enhanced solar cells. Enhanced energy yield maps confirm the model’s predictions, showing improved outputs globally, especially in sunny regions with potential annual energy yield gains up to 80 kWh/m2. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e09d8c54fbfc40a1babcd87cb06708b8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-e09d8c54fbfc40a1babcd87cb06708b82025-02-02T12:23:28ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111910.1038/s41598-024-82979-3Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effectsBrahim Aïssa0Ahmer A. Baloch1Adnan Ali2Anirban Mitra3Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)Research and Development Center Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)Department of Chemical Engineering, Jeju National UniversityDepartment of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology RoorkeeAbstract This paper explores the development of an opto-thermal-electrical model for plasmonic Schottky solar cells (PSSCs) using a comprehensive multiphysics approach. We simulated the optical properties, power conversion efficiencies, and energy yield of PSSCs with varying nanoparticle (NP) configurations and sizes. Our spectral analysis focused on the absorption characteristics of these solar cells, examining systems sized 3 × 3, 5 × 5, and 7 × 7, with NP radii ranging from 10 to 150 nm. The study addresses a significant gap in solar cell research by presenting a novel multi-physics energy yield model for PSSCs decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) on silicon absorbers. This integrated framework uniquely couples optical, electrical, and thermal responses for the prediction of global energy yield maps. Total spectral heat absorption was evaluated over a range of 300 nm to 1200 nm. This spectral heating was further deconvoluted into nanoparticle heating and thermalization heating in a silicon absorber. The findings indicated that the 5 × 5 NP array with a 70 nm radius enhances electrical performance, with the short-circuit current density (Jsc) reaching 11.54 mA/cm2—A 47% improvement compared to traditional bare silicon Schottky cells of 2 μm thickness. However, this electrical enhancement was also accompanied by a significant increase in heat generation within the nanoparticles, with thermal gains up to 182.5% relative to the bare silicon cells. This substantial rise in thermal energy highlights the critical need for advanced thermal management strategies to mitigate overheating and ensure the overall efficiency of plasmonic-enhanced solar cells. Enhanced energy yield maps confirm the model’s predictions, showing improved outputs globally, especially in sunny regions with potential annual energy yield gains up to 80 kWh/m2.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82979-3AbsorptionPlasmonSchottkySiliconSpectral heatingGlobal analysis |
| spellingShingle | Brahim Aïssa Ahmer A. Baloch Adnan Ali Anirban Mitra Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects Scientific Reports Absorption Plasmon Schottky Silicon Spectral heating Global analysis |
| title | Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects |
| title_full | Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects |
| title_fullStr | Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects |
| title_short | Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects |
| title_sort | enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon driven schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects |
| topic | Absorption Plasmon Schottky Silicon Spectral heating Global analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82979-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT brahimaissa enhancedmultifacetedmodelforplasmondrivenschottkysolarcellswithintegratedthermaleffects AT ahmerabaloch enhancedmultifacetedmodelforplasmondrivenschottkysolarcellswithintegratedthermaleffects AT adnanali enhancedmultifacetedmodelforplasmondrivenschottkysolarcellswithintegratedthermaleffects AT anirbanmitra enhancedmultifacetedmodelforplasmondrivenschottkysolarcellswithintegratedthermaleffects |