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Microstructures and Coatings for Advanced Optoelectronic Materials

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Thin Films and Interfaces".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 169

Special Issue Editors

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Doha, Qatar
Interests: coating; perovskite solar cells; fuel cells batteries nanoparticles microscopy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, Microstructures and Coatings for Advanced Optoelectronic Materials, highlights groundbreaking advances driving the next generation of optoelectronic innovation. From precision-engineered microstructures to multifunctional coatings, the featured research demonstrates how smart material design enables higher efficiency, longer durability, and wider use across devices such as solar cells, LEDs, sensors, and photodetectors. Beyond performance, the contributions emphasize sustainability and adaptability, addressing critical challenges in renewable energy, environmental protection, and wearable technologies. By combining materials science, nanotechnology, and applied physics, this collection positions optoelectronic research at the forefront of technological progress. It provides a forward-looking roadmap for developing robust, eco-friendly, and commercially viable systems that will power future communication, energy, and photonic applications worldwide.

Dr. Atef Zekri
Dr. Brahim Aïssa
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • microstructures
  • coatings
  • optoelectronic materials
  • thin films
  • nanostructures
  • sustainable technologies
  • global innovation
  • photonic applications

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 793 KB  
Article
Printing Hybrid, Interdigitated Back-Contact Solar Cells
by Guancheng Li, David Angel Trujillo and Robert L. Opila
Materials 2026, 19(5), 985; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19050985 - 4 Mar 2026
Abstract
Interdigitated back-contact solar cells were fabricated entirely with inkjet printing. poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), TiO2, and metal lines were printed on a textured silicon substrate with only one inkjet printer. No vacuum deposition or diffusion of a back surface field is needed [...] Read more.
Interdigitated back-contact solar cells were fabricated entirely with inkjet printing. poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), TiO2, and metal lines were printed on a textured silicon substrate with only one inkjet printer. No vacuum deposition or diffusion of a back surface field is needed for the printed IBC solar cell. Adding co-solvent to the PEDOT:PSS and passivation of the Si surface significantly reduced the losses and enhanced the short-circuit current, Jsc, and, as a result, improved the fill factor and efficiency of the devices. The thickness of the PEDOT:PSS layer is approximately half a micrometer measured by profilometer, which is thicker than the optimal range typically reported; there is still a best short-circuit current, Jsc, of 19.2 mA/cm2. To further improve the performance of the devices, an anti-reflective coating on the front side is required. Also, an improved metal contact ink is needed to improve the contact resistance between the PEDOT:PSS layer and the metal contact. The initial performance of all printed cells are compared to conventionally fabricated devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructures and Coatings for Advanced Optoelectronic Materials)
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