Quantum Efficiency Optimization of Antimonene-Based Solar Cells via Linear Bandgap Profiling

International Journal of Physics | Vol. 14, No. 3, March 2023 | pp. 17–24

DOI: 10.46882/2023/IJP/000155

Research Article

Title: Quantum Efficiency Optimization of Antimonene-Based Solar Cells via Linear Bandgap Profiling

Names of Authors: H. K. Tanaka¹, M. G. Richter²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Department of Quantum Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
² Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung, Stuttgart, Germany

Abstract: Developing group-V elemental two-dimensional monolayers provides a promising architectural path for expanding the conversion metrics of thin-film photovoltaics. This paper presents a detailed numerical model to optimize the internal quantum efficiency of functionalized antimonene solar cells using a graded bandgap structural layout. We systematically evaluated the impacts of carrier recombination lifetimes and interface defect traps on device performance parameters under standard one-sun illumination matrices (AM 1.5G, 100.0 mW/cm²). Our numerical calculations reveal that grading the surface chemical functionalization creates a linear bandgap tilt (varying from 1.20 eV to 1.65 eV) that generates a built-in electric field. This built-in field accelerates charge separation tracks and drops radiative recombination rates. When standard recombination lifetimes of 18.0 ns are introduced, the optimized graded device yields a short-circuit current density of 27.4 mA/cm² and an open-circuit voltage of 0.92 V. This results in a maximum power conversion efficiency of 19.4%, representing a significant improvement over the uniform bandgap control cell. We also analyzed the thermal stability of the device between 280.0 K and 360.0 K, demonstrating that the graded structure reduces thermal efficiency degradation by 25.0%.

Keywords: Antimonene solar cells; graded bandgap; quantum efficiency; charge transport; numerical modeling; photovoltaics

Manuscript Timeline: Received: December 14, 2022; Revised: January 22, 2023; Accepted: February 09, 2023; Published: March 14, 2023

Citation: Tanaka, H. K., & Richter, M. G. (2023). Quantum Efficiency Optimization of Antimonene-Based Solar Cells via Linear Bandgap Profiling. International Journal of Physics, 14(3), 17–24.

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