Abstract
We propose an unexplored class of absorbing materials for high-efficiency solar cells: heterostructures of transition-metal oxides. In particular, grown on has a direct band gap in the optimal range as well as an internal potential gradient, which can greatly help to separate the photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Furthermore, oxide heterostructures afford the flexibility to combine with other materials such as in order to achieve even higher efficiencies with band-gap graded solar cells. We use density-functional theory to demonstrate these features.
- Received 5 November 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.078701
© 2013 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Building Better Solar Cells, Layer by Layer
Published 11 February 2013
According to new calculations, thin films of transition-metal oxides could be promising materials for high-efficiency solar cells.
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