Silver-bismuth iodide (ABI) ternary semiconductors, such as AgBi2I7, AgBiI4, Ag2BiI5, and Ag3BiI6, have emerged as promising lead-free light absorbers for photovoltaic applications due to their favorable optoelectronic properties. Despite recent advances that have improved power conversion efficiencies from ∼1% to over 5%, ABI-based solar cells still show substantial open-circuit voltage (VOC) losses of up to ∼1 V, which significantly hinder the device performance. These losses have been experimentally attributed to the non-radiative recombination originating from intrinsic defects, however, theoretical understanding of these defect mechanisms remains limited. Here, using density functional theory calculations, we systematically investigate the defect properties of AgBiI4. We identify the dominant intrinsic defects as acceptor-like Ag vacancies (VAg) and AgBi antisites, as well as donor-like Ag interstitials (Agi) and BiAg antisites. Among these defects, VAg and AgBi are shallow defects, while Agi and BiAg create deep trap states. Our calculations reveal that I-rich synthesis conditions with a carefully balanced Ag/Bi ratio are essential to suppressing the formation of deep defects and mitigating non-radiative recombinations. These insights provide theoretical guidance for defect modulation in ABI compounds and highlight AgBiI4 as a model system for understanding defect physics in ABI photovoltaic materials.
The current research illustrates experimentally the effect of series and parallel connection (Z-I Configurations) of flat plate water solar collectors array on the thermal performance of closed loop solar heating system. The study includes the effect of changing the water flow rate on the thermal efficiency. The results show that, the collector's efficiency in series connection is higher than the parallel connection within flow rate level less than (100) ℓ/hr. Moreover, the collector efficiency in parallel connection of (I-Configurations) is more than the (Z- Configurations) with increasing the water flow rate .The maximum daily efficiency for parallel (I-Configurations) and (Z- Configurations) are (55%) and (51%) at w
... Show MoreMost reinforced concrete (RC) structures are constructed with square/rectangular columns. The cross-section size of these types of columns is much larger than the thickness of their partitions. Therefore, parts of these columns are protruded out of the partitions. The emergence of columns edges out of the walls has some disadvantages. This limitation is difficult to be overcome with square or rectangular columns. To solve this problem, new types of RC columns called specially shaped reinforced concrete (SSRC) columns have been used as hidden columns. Besides, the use of SSRC columns provides many structural and architectural advantages as compared with rectangular columns. Therefore, this study was conducted to explain the structura
... Show MoreRecently, environmental noise has arisen from various sources, such as those from exhaust mufflers of combustion engines found in cars, trucks, or power generators, which produce significant noise during their operation. Controlling the radiated noise from these mufflers is a major factor in improving acoustic comfort and minimizing the impact on the surrounding communities. Numerous research has been presented for this reason by modification of the internal structure of the exhaust muffler. The main objective of this work is to reduce the noise level emitted from exhaust mufflers. This can be achieved by adjusting structure parameters to attenuate the surrounding environment's radiated noise. Analysis of pressure-wave propagation h
... Show MoreSome azo compounds were prepared by coupling the diazonium salts of amines with 2,4-dimethylphenol The structure of azo compounds were determined on the basis of elemental analyses, 1HNMR, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. Complexes of nickel(II) and copper(II) have been synthesized and characterized. The composition of complexes has been established by using flame atomic absorption, (C.H.N) Analysis, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods as well as conductivity magnetic susceptibility measurements. The nature of the complexes formed were studied following the mole ratio and continuous variation methods, Beer's law obeyed over a concentration range (1×10-4 - 3×10-4 M). High molar absorbtivity of the complex solutions were observ
... Show MoreDue to the energy crisis and the stringent environmental regulations, diesel engines are offering good hope for automotive vehicles. However, a lot of work is needed to reduce the diesel exhaust emissions and give the way for full utilization of the diesel fuel’s excellent characteristics.
A kind of cetane number improver has been proposed and tested to be used with diesel fuel as ameans of reducing exhaust emissions. The addition of (2-ethylhexyl nitrate) was designed to raise fuel cetane number to three stages, 50, 52 and 55 compared to the used conventional diesel fuel whose CN was 48.5. The addition of CN improver results in the decre
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