Photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting represents a clean and sustainable approach for hydrogen (H2) production substantial research are being performed to improve the conversion efficiency. Hematite (α-Fe2O3) is considered as promising candidate PEC due its chemical stability, appropriate band structure, abundance. However, performance based on hematite hindered by short hole diffusion length that put constraint active layer thickness light absorption capability. In this work, we...

Low-cost engineered nanotemplates are used to mold flexible nanocone anti-reflection (AR) films. Both optical reflectance measurements and photovoltaics characterizations demonstrate that the AR films can considerably suppress device front-side thus improve power conversion efficiency of high-efficiency thin-film CdTe solar cells. Additionally, these found be superhydrophobic possess self-cleaning capability. As a service our authors readers, this journal provides supporting information...

Unique light-matter interaction at nanophotonic regime can be harnessed for designing efficient photonic and optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, lasers, photodetectors. In this work, periodic photon nanowells are fabricated with a low-cost scalable approach, followed by systematic investigations of their capturing properties combining experiments simulations. Intriguingly, it is found that proper periodicity greatly facilitates process in the nanowells, primarily owing to optical...

Photonic nanostructures hold great promise in promoting light harvesting. Here we report the first design and construction of a three-dimensional (3D) hexagonal nanocone array fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) on glass as an excellent electrode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The PEC current density with suitably deposited Ti-doped hematite at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen (RHE) was increased by 86% to 2.24 ± 0.02 mA cm−2 compared that planar counterpart, mainly ascribable...

Flexible photovoltaic (PV) devices have attracted enormous attention from academy and industry as a convenient alternative energy source for indoor outdoor applications. PV panels can be easily integrated with infrastructures of various shapes sizes, meanwhile they are light-weight thus suitable applications where weight is important. In this review, we will describe the progress that has been made in field flexible technologies. addition, summary provided perspective on future development...

Neuromorphic or "brain-like" computation is a leading candidate for efficient, fault-tolerant processing of large-scale data as well real-time sensing and transduction complex multivariate systems networks such self-driving vehicles Internet Things applications. In biology, the synapse serves an active memory unit in neural system component responsible learning memory. Electronically emulating this element via compact, scalable technology which can be integrated three-dimensional (3-D)...

Utilization of nanostructures on photovoltaic devices can significantly improve the device energy conversion efficiency by enhancing light harvesting capability as well carrier collection efficiency. However, improvements in mechanical robustness and reliability, particularly for flexible devices, have rarely been reported with in-depth understanding. In this work, we fabricated efficient, mechanically robust organometallic perovskite solar cells plastic substrates inverted nanocone (i-cone)...

Efficient light absorption in thin-film photovoltaic (PV) devices is crucial for improving their efficiency and reducing cost. Here we have not only developed a low-cost scalable method to fabricate unique type of integrated-nanopillar-nanowell (i-NPW) structure by integrating nanopillar nanowell arrays together vertically, but also demonstrated the attractive optical property i-NPW leveraging advantages "positive" "negative" nanostructures photon harvesting. Impressively, 2 μm thick with 40...

Efficient photon management schemes are crucial for improving the energy conversion efficiency of photovoltaic devices; they can lead potentially to reduced material usage and cost these devices. In this review, trapping mechanisms discussed briefly in beginning, followed by a summary recent progress on number major categories nanostructures with intriguing properties. Specifically, including nanowires, nanopillars, nanopyramids, nanocones, nanospikes, so forth, have been reviewed...

Three-dimensional (3-D) nanostructures have demonstrated enticing potency to boost performance of photovoltaic devices primarily owning the improved photon capturing capability. Nevertheless, cost-effective and scalable fabrication regular 3-D with decent robustness flexibility still remains as a challenging task. Meanwhile, establishing rational design guidelines for nanostructured solar cells balanced electrical optical are paramount importance in urgent need. Herein, arrays nanospikes...

Three-dimensional (3-D) nanostructures have been widely explored for efficient light trapping; however, many of the nanostructure fabrication processes reported high cost and/or limited scalability. In this work, self-organized 3-D Al nanospike arrays were successfully fabricated on thin foils with controlled geometry such as height and pitch. Thereafter, photovoltaic materials a-Si CdTe films conformally deposited nanospikes structures thus forming strong absorption over a broad wavelength...

Thin film photovoltaic (PV) technologies are highly attractive for low-cost solar energy conversion and possess a wide range of potential applications from building-integrated PV generation to portable power sources. Inverted nanocones (i-cones) have been demonstrated as promising structure practical thin devices/modules, owning their antireflection effect, self-cleaning function, superior mechanical robustness, so forth. In this work, we scalable approach achieve perfectly ordered i-cone...

Three-dimensional (3D) electrodes are critical for enabling high-performance power sources. We report here on the design and fabrication, by combining imprint soft-printing technologies, of 3D nanocone arrays as a novel platform high performance pseudocapacitors. Such purpose-built have advantages simplicity/versatility/reliability generality to vast range active materials, electrode surface area, ease electrolyte permeation. As demonstration principle, Au MnO2 were sequentially deposited...

An ultra-thin freestanding Au NSP film is fabricated by simple wet etching. Supercapacitors based on such structure show notable electrochemical improvements.

ZnO semiconductor films with periodic 3D nanocave patterns were fabricated by the thermal nanoimprinting technology, which is promising for photodetectors enhanced light harvesting capability. The Au nanoparticles further introduced into films, boosts UV response of and extends photodetection to visible regions. best photoresponse was detected on ZnO–Au hybrid attributing trapping mechanism structures driving force Schottky barrier at ZnO/Au interface, while high mainly results from hot...

Optimized nanospiked solar cell achieved efficiency of 7.92 % which is among the highest on a flexible substrate.

Due to the broad applications of porous alumina nanostructures, research on fabrication anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) with nanoporous structure has triggered enormous attention. While highly ordered AAO tunable geometric features been widely reported, it is known that its growth rate can be easily affected by fluctuation process conditions such as acid concentration and temperature during electrochemical anodization process. To fabricate various parameters, particularly, realize precise...

Abstract Porous anodic alumina membranes (AAMs) have attracted great amount of attention due to their potential application as templates for nanoengineering. Template-guided fabrication and assembly nanomaterials based on AAMs are cost-effective scalable methods program engineer the shape morphology nanostructures nanomaterials. In this work, perfectly ordered with record large pitch up 3 μm been fabricated by properly controlling anodization conditions utilization nanoimprint technique. Due...

Recent developments in nanophotonics have provided a clear roadmap for improving the efficiency of photonic devices through control over absorption and emission devices. These advances could prove transformative wide variety devices, such as photovoltaics, photoelectrochemical photodetectors, light-emitting diodes. However, it is often challenging to physically create nanophotonic designs required engineer optical properties Here, we present platform based on crystalline indium phosphide...

Aluminum (Al) anodization leads to formation of porous structures with a broad spectrum applications. Naturally or intentionally created defects on Al surfaces can greatly affect pore initiation. However, there is still lack systematic understanding the defect dependent morphology evolution. In this paper, processes unpolished, polished, and nanoimprinted substrates are investigated under high voltages up 600 V in various acid solutions. A structure obtained unpolished foils rough surface...

Ordered three-dimensional (3-D) tubular arrays are highly attractive candidates for high performance pseudocapacitor electrodes. Here, we report 3-D fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) fabricated by a cost-effective ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) method in anodic aluminum (AAO) channels with uniformity. The large surface area of such structure leads to remarkable enhancement up 51.8 times compared planar structure. Combining electrochemically deposited manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoflakes on the...