Rectifying Materials and Nano-Antennas for Sunlight Harvesting

As global warming is accelerating, the efficient and economical utilization of solar energy in comparison to the current photovoltaic (PV) solar cell technology is becoming a key research objective. In this study, we show how to possibly utilize solar electromagnetic radiation in comparison to single-junction PV cells to achieve high efficiency rectification. Nanostructured geometric diodes, based on graphene and 2D materials, and nanoantenna arrays are studied and quantitatively evaluated for this purpose. Material level simulations, quantum models for coherent charge transport, and atomistic tools are needed to characterize the proposed system at a physical level.