Atomically thin transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMD) hold promise for making ultrathin-film photovoltaic devices with a combination of excellent photovoltaic performance and mechanical flexibility. However, reported absorption for photovoltaic cells based on two dimensional materials (2D) materials is still just a few percent of the incident light due to their sub-wavelength thickness leading...

Metal chalcohalides have recently been highlighted as so-far overlooked semiconductors that could play an important role in the future of photovoltaics (PV). Indeed, blooming field emergent PV technologies is still search for stable, efficient, and environmentally-friendly light-harvesting materials to be used either single-junction solar cells or multijunction devices combination with silicon ...

Many years since the booming of research on perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the hybrid perovskite materials developed for photovoltaic application form three main categories since 2009: (i) high-performance unstable lead-containing perovskites, (ii) low-performance lead-free perovskites, and (iii) moderate performance and stable lead-containing perovskites. The search for alternative materials t...

This paper reviews the recent research progress in the incorporation of plasmonic nanostructures with photovoltaic devices and the potential for surface plasmon enhanced absorption. We first outline a variety of cell architectures incorporating metal nanostructures. We then review the experimental fabrication methods and measurements to date, as well as systematic theoretical studies of the opt...

We formed p-i-n heterojunctions based on a thin film of BiFeO3 nanoparticles. The perovskite acting as an intrinsic semiconductor was sandwiched between a p-type and an n-type oxide semiconductor as hole- and electron-collecting layer, respectively, making the heterojunction act as an all-inorganic oxide p-i-n device. We have characterized the perovskite and carrier collecting materials, such a...

Mediterranean countries offer very favorable climatic conditions for growing plants in a protected environment: as a matter of fact, the high solar radiation allows the use of greenhouses with simple structures, covered with plastic film and without fixed installations for winter heating. They are called “Mediterranean greenhouses” and are totally different from those in Central and Northern Eu...