Predicting Open-Circuit Voltages in Atomically-Thin Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides-Based Solar Cells

Abstract

We present an approach to quantify upper limits of open circuit voltages (Voc) that can possibly be achieved from monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) WS2, MoS2, WSe2, and MoSe2-based solar cells, and compare them with stateof-the-art perovskite materials. Spectrally-resolved microphotoluminescence (μ-PL) and absorption measurements were utilized in the generalised Planck law of emissions to derive quasi-Fermi level splitting values (∆μ) of these monolayers under illumination. The value of ∆μ of a certain material represents the highest possible open-circuit voltage of a solar cell fabricated from that material. From our analysis, values close to ~1.4, ~1.12, ~1.06 and ~0.93 V could be potentially achieved from WS2, MoS2, WSe2, and MoSe2 monolayers-based solar cells under 1-sun illumination. The results reveal the potential of atomically-thin TMDs for high-voltage, ultra-light, flexible, and transparent photovoltaics. Show more