Silicon-rich-nitride (SRN) films were deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) by changing the silane and ammonia flow rates. These films were thermally annealed for precipitation of silicon nanocrystals. Measurements of refractive indices and FTIR absorption spectra of these films indicated increase in the silicon content. Thermally annealed SRN films exhibited photolumi...

two organic compounds (sc-23=(e)-2-cyano-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl) acrylic acid and sc-25=(e)-2-cyano-3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl) acrylic acid) involving methoxy groups as the electron donor and cyanoacrylic acid group as the electron acceptor have been investigated for dye sensitized solar cells. they shows a short-circuit current density (jsc) of 2.08 and 1.81 ma cm-2, an open circuit voltage (voc)...

In the quest for solutions to meeting future energy demands, solar fuels play an important role. A particularly promising example is photocatalysis since even incremental improvements in performance in this process are bound to translate into significant cost benefits. Here, we report that semiconducting and high surface area 3D silicon replicas prepared from abundantly available diatom fossils...

It is generally believed that fossil fuels, the current primary but limited energy resources, will be replaced by cleaner and cheaper renewable energy sources for compelling environmental and economic challenges in the 21st century. Solar energy with its unlimited quantity is expected to be one of the most promising alternative energy sources in the future. Devices with low manufacturing cost a...

Abstract: Perovskite solar cells have become an attractive subject in the solar energydevice area. During ten years of development, the energy conversion efficiency has beenimproved from 2.2% to more than 22%, and it still has a very good potential for furtherenhancement. In this paper, a numerical model of the perovskite solar cell with thestructure of glass/ FTO/ TiO2/...

The solar-to-chemical energy conversion of greenhouse gas CO2 into carbon-based fuels is a very important research challenge, with implications for both climate change and energy security. Herein, the key attributes of hydroxides and oxygen vacancies are experimentally identified in non-stoichiometric indium oxide nanoparticles, In2O3-x(OH)y, that function in concert to reduce CO2 to CO under s...

Solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs), which are used for various applications, (particularly small size electronic devices), have optical concentration systems for high energy conversion efficiency. In this study, a refraction-assisted STEG (R-STEG) is designed based on phase-change materials. As the phase-change material (PCM) changes phase from solid to liquid, its refractive index and tra...

A series of diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based small band gap polymers has been designed and synthesized by Suzuki or Stille polymerization for use in polymer solar cells. The new polymers contain extended aromatic π-conjugated segments alternating with the DPP units and are designed to increase the free energy for charge generation to overcome current limitations in photocurrent generation of DP...

Two novel hybrid combined cycle power systems that use solar heat and methanol, and integrate CO2 capture, are proposed and analyzed, one based on solar-driven methanol decomposition and the other on solar-driven methanol reforming. The high methanol conversion rates at relatively low temperatures offer the advantage of using the solar heat at only 200–300 C to drive the syngas production by en...

pastures play an important role in protecting environment and ecosystems. unfortunately more than 40 percent of pasturess in the world have been destroyed and 20 percent of destroyed pastures are located in developing countries. application of solar energy could significantly contribute to preserving the pastures. the main purpose of this study was to examine the role of solar energy in protect...