Speaker
Mr
thokozane mlotshwa
(saip and nitherp)
Description
The sun is the most important source of renewable energy today. Producing energy from sunlight using cheap, abundant and non-toxic materials is considered a major challenge in the field of solar-electrical energy conversion. To harvest the solar energy, a thin film solar cell composed of the Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) semiconductor is a candidate which can harvest as much energy as possible. Its advantage is the optical direct band gap and high absorption coefficients. The structural, electronic and optical properties of doped CZTS will be calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) as implemented in the CASTEP codes. A new doping mechanism will be used to dope by the alkali earth metals, Calcium (Ca) and Barium (Ba). The dopants will be placed in the structure rather than replacing one of the atoms. Doping using the different elements is expected to improve the conversion efficiency of the CZTS based solar cells.
Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> award (Yes / No)?
yes
Level for award<br> (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD, N/A)?
MSc
Primary author
Mr
thokozane mlotshwa
(saip and nitherp)
Co-authors
Dr
Nnditshedzeni Eric Maluta
(University of Venda)
Dr
Rapela Maphanga
(CSIR)
