The document discusses advancements in solar panel technology, particularly the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to enhance solar cell efficiency beyond the theoretical limit of 30%. CNTs are highlighted for their low cost, flexibility, and remarkable physical properties, although their power-conversion efficiencies still lag behind traditional inorganic solar cells. The paper suggests a combination of CNT films and diffraction grating to improve solar cell performance.

1. By:-R. J. S. kasyap
EEE
Carbon nanotubes in solar panel technology

2. INTRODUCTION
As the rate of population is increasing rapidly day-by-
day, the rate of consumption of power has also been
increased. Even the techniques of generating power is
also making a new steps every day. And the most
successful and efficient technique among all is the
generation through solar energy, which is by using solar
panels.

3. Due to the increasing energy needs and the
demand for green source of energy, there
has been a surge of interest in finding
solutions for crossing the efficiency barriers
of solar cells. Ranging from traditional Si-
based solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells
(DSSC) and other organic cells have a
theoretical limit on the efficiency of 30%.
This paper provides an in-depth exposure to
the new technological advancements in the
field of solar cells, especially using Carbon
Nanotubes (CNTs). The use of a possible
combination of CNT films and diffraction
grating is proposed as a probable step to
increasing solar cell efficiency above the
theoretical limit.

4. Schematic diagram of how CNT is placed

5. Due to the increasing energy needs and the
demand for green source of energy, there
has been a surge of interest in finding
solutions for crossing the efficiency barriers
of solar cells. Ranging from traditional Si-
based solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells
(DSSC) and other organic cells have a
theoretical limit on the efficiency of 30%.
This paper provides an in-depth exposure to
the new technological advancements in the
field of solar cells, especially using Carbon
Nanotubes (CNTs). The use of a possible
combination of CNT films and diffraction
grating is proposed as a probable step to
increasing solar cell efficiency above the
theoretical limit.

6. Highlighting points
• They’re cheaper, lighter, flexible and easy to dispose.
• Low-temperature processing (means that CNT-based
solar cells are cheaper to make compared with their
silicon counterparts).
• Although carbon nanotubes offer intriguing physical
properties, the power-conversion efficiencies (PCE)
remain short of the values achieved by inorganic solar
cells.

7. Special features
• Strength
• Hardness
• Kinetic
• Electrical

8. Strength
Carbon nanotubes are the strongest and stiffest
materials yet discovered in terms of tensile strength
and elastic modulus respectively. This strength results
from the covalent sp² bonds formed between the
individual carbon atoms. In 2000, a multi-walled carbon
nanotube was tested to have a tensile strength of 63
giga pascals (GPa). This translates into the ability to
endure tension of a weight equivalent to 6422 kg on a
cable with cross-section of 1 mm2.

9. Hardness
Diamond is considered to be the hardest material, and
it is well known that graphite transforms into diamond
under conditions of high temperature and high
pressure. One study succeeded in the synthesis of a
super-hard material by compressing SWNTs to above
24 Gpa at room temperature. The hardness of this
material was measured with a nano indenter as 62–
152 GPa. The hardness of reference diamond and
boron nitride samples was 150 and 62 Gpa,
respectively.

10. kinetic
Multi-walled nanotubes, multiple concentric
nanotubes precisely nested within one another, exhibit
a striking telescoping property whereby an inner
nanotube core may slide, almost without friction,
within its outer nanotube shell thus creating an
atomically perfect linear or rotational bearing. This is
one of the first true examples of molecular
nanotechnology, the precise positioning of atoms to
create useful machines. Already this property has been
utilized to create the world's smallest rotational motor.

11. Electrical
Because of the symmetry and unique electronic
structure of graphene, the structure of a nanotube
strongly affects its electrical properties. They function
as semiconductors. Multi walled carbon nanotubes
with interconnected inner shells show
superconductivity with a relatively high transition
temperature Tc = 12 K. In contrast, the Tc value is an
order of magnitude lower for ropes of single-walled
carbon nanotubes or for MWNTs with usual, non
interconnected shells.

13. Thank you