Graphene-Based Thermionic Solar Cells

A model of the graphene-based thermionic solar cell (TSC) consisting of a concentrator, an absorber, and a thermionic emission device configured with graphene-based cathode is proposed, where the radiation and reflection losses from the absorber to the environment, the thermal radiation between the cathode and the anode electrodes, and the heat losses from the anode to the environment are considered. The performance characteristics of the TSC are analyzed by numerical calculations. It is found that the maximum efficiency can reach 21% when the area ratio is 0.24 and the voltage output is 2.01 V. In addition, the maximum efficiencies of the TSC under different concentrations and the optimal values of some key parameters are determined, and consequently, the corresponding optimally operating conditions are obtained. The results obtained here may provide guidance for the appropriate selection of electrode materials and the optimum design of practical TSC devices.