Research Article
Front Surface Field (FSF) Layer Thickness Engineering in Heterojunction Solar Cells: Efficiency Optimization Through Predictive SILVACO-TCAD Simulation
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
65-79
Received:
29 June 2025
Accepted:
8 July 2025
Published:
28 July 2025
Abstract: This study focuses on optimizing the thickness, doping, and bandgap energy of the Front Surface Field (FSF) layer in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells using predictive simulation with SILVACO-TCAD. SHJ solar cells are known for their high efficiency, low-cost manufacturing, and low-temperature fabrication processes. The FSF layer, typically composed of p+-doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), plays a pivotal role in determining cell performance. Key Methodology: The research employs the TCAD-SILVACO Atlas simulation software to model SHJ solar cells and analyze the influence of FSF layer parameters on photovoltaic performance, particularly the open-circuit voltage (VOC), short-circuit current density (JSC), fill factor (FF), and overall efficiency (η). The simulation integrates the Poisson and continuity equations, Boltzmann statistics, and models for Auger and Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) recombination. Major Findings: FSF Thickness: Optimal efficiency (~23.5%) is achieved with an FSF thickness around 5 nm. Increasing the thickness beyond this value leads to reduced VOC and FF due to enhanced recombination and increased resistivity. Doping Concentration: Higher doping levels in the FSF layer strengthen the electric field at the junction, improving carrier separation and collection. However, excessive doping can cause additional recombination, emphasizing the need for balanced optimization. Bandgap Energy: A lower bandgap enhances photon absorption but increases thermal losses, while a higher bandgap limits absorption but can theoretically improve VOC. An optimal bandgap value around 1.7 eV, combined with a 5-7 nm thickness, was identified for peak efficiency. Simulation Stability: The study temporarily replaced the conventional indium tin oxide (ITO) front layer with silicon dioxide (SiO2) for simulation stability. This substitution was for numerical purposes only and is not applicable in real-world fabrication. The research highlights that achieving high-efficiency heterojunction solar cells requires precise, simultaneous optimization of the FSF layer's thickness, doping concentration, and bandgap energy. The study confirms that a careful balance of these parameters minimizes recombination losses, optimizes charge transport, and enhances photovoltaic performance. Future work should involve further experimental validation and the integration of more realistic front contact materials such as transparent conductive oxides (TCOs).
Abstract: This study focuses on optimizing the thickness, doping, and bandgap energy of the Front Surface Field (FSF) layer in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells using predictive simulation with SILVACO-TCAD. SHJ solar cells are known for their high efficiency, low-cost manufacturing, and low-temperature fabrication processes. The FSF layer, typically ...
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Research Article
Synergizing Sustainability and Structural Innovation: A Critical Review of Steel-CLT Composite Floor Systems in Modern Construction
Girmay Mengesha Azanaw*
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
80-87
Received:
26 May 2025
Accepted:
12 June 2025
Published:
20 August 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.am.20251403.12
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Views:
Abstract: The pressing necessity for the construction sector to achieve decarbonization has thrust steel-CLT (cross-laminated timber) composite flooring systems into prominence as an avant-garde amalgamation of sustainability and structural advancement. This review rigorously evaluates the capacity of these hybrid systems to harmonize the carbon-sequestering potential of CLT—which sequesters 135% of its mass in CO2—with the unparalleled tensile strength of steel, realizing a 60% reduction in embodied carbon and accommodating spans of 12 meters. Nevertheless, their implementation is obstructed by paradoxical issues: the absence of standardized assessments for human-induced vibration thresholds, transport emissions undermining sequestration benefits, and fragmented design regulations inflating expenses by 15-20%. Utilizing global case studies—from Amsterdam’s Haut Tower to prototypes at the University of Warwick—this review integrates advancements in bio-hybrid materials (such as self-healing timber coatings), AI-enhanced design methodologies, and policy frameworks (for instance, the EU’s Timber Covenant). Significant findings indicate that demountable steel-CLT connections facilitate 90% material reuse, while AI-optimized grain orientation enhances vibration damping by 25%. However, financial impediments such as $20-30/sq.ft cost premiums and regional shortages of CLT remain prevalent. By advocating for carbon pricing mechanisms, localized supply chains, and interdisciplinary educational initiatives, this review establishes steel-CLT systems as a feasible foundational element for carbon-neutral urban development, dependent upon the resolution of technical, economic, and cultural disparities.
Abstract: The pressing necessity for the construction sector to achieve decarbonization has thrust steel-CLT (cross-laminated timber) composite flooring systems into prominence as an avant-garde amalgamation of sustainability and structural advancement. This review rigorously evaluates the capacity of these hybrid systems to harmonize the carbon-sequestering...
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