S1 Amy Cornforth Tony Grupp Ana DAlmeida NanoSolar Cells Pres

Nanotechnology for Next Generation
Solar Cells
Group 1:
Amy Cornforth, Tony Grupp, Ana
DAlmeida
February 5, 2010
Presentation Overview
1.
2.
3.
4.
Solar cell introduction

Quantum dot solar cells
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC)
Hybrid organic solar cells
Solar Cells
Units that have the ability of converting sunlight
into electricity
Made of semiconducting material
Can be used for varied purposes, e.g. to power
watches, to light houses, and to provide power
to the electrical grids
Image found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Borealis3windmills.jpg
How Solar Cells Work. http://solarpanelworld.com/how-solar-cells-work.php
Solar Cells
How do they work?
Light is absorbed by semiconductor

Energy of the electrons increases
Electrons move in the material
Charge carriers have to be present
Limitations
Band gap of the semi-conducting material
Maximum efficiency of a solar cell (single
material) is about 30 %
How Solar Cells Work. http://solarpanelworld.com/how-solar-cells-work.php
Solar Cell Development

Three Generations of solar cell technology:
1. Single-crystal silicon based photovoltaic devices
Good efficiency
High Cost
Higher than traditionally-produced electricity
2. CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) polycrystalline semiconductor

thin films
Low Cost
Less Efficiency
3. Nanotechnology-enhanced solar cells
Low Cost
Medium Efficiency
Quantum Dots
Advantages
Adjustable band-gap
Moldable
Facilitate collection and transport of carriers
Increase efficiency of solar cells
by extending the band gap of solar cells
by generating more charges from a single photon
Quantum Dots and Ultra-Efficient Solar Cells? http://www.i-sis.org.uk/QDAUESC.php
Quantum Dots
Quantum dot sensitized solar cells
(QDSCs) are third-generation
photovoltaic devices
Semiconductor sensitizers
Very tunable
Theoretically increase
efficiency of solar cells up to
44%
Image found at::

http://nanopatentsandinnovations.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.
html
Published in:Ivn Mora-Ser, Sixto Gimnez, Francisco Fabregat-Santiago, Roberto Gmez, Qing Shen, Taro Toyoda, Juan Bisquert;Recombination in
Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells.Accounts of Chemical Research 2009 42 (11), DOI: 10.1021/ar900134d , Copyright 2009 ASC
Quantum Dots
How to improve the performance and stability of
QDSCs?
Deposit CdSe quantum dots on nanostructured

mesoporous TiO2 electrodes
Image found at: www.mrl.ucsb.edu/.../RISE/interns01/AlysonW.html
Published in:Ivn Mora-Ser, Sixto Gimnez, Francisco Fabregat-Santiago, Roberto Gmez, Qing Shen, Taro Toyoda, Juan Bisquert;Recombination in
Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells.Accounts of Chemical Research 2009 42 (11), DOI: 10.1021/ar900134d , Copyright 2009 ASC
Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Published in: Hiroshi Imahori and Tomokazu Umeyama; J. Phys. Chem. C 2009, 113 (21).
DOI: 10.1021/jp9007448
Copyright 2009 American Chemical Society
DSSC Basics
Thin-film solar cell
Think sandwich
Electrons for movement are provided by the

photosensitive dye
Electrons provided by silicon base in other cells
Compare with previously demonstrated cell
Nanomaterials used to create 3-D structure for

dye
Greater number of dye molecules due to greater
internal surface area
Basic DSSC Layers:

1. Glass coated with
fluorine-doped tin
oxide
2. Titanium dioxide
layer (n-type
semiconductor)
3. Ruthenium dye
4. Electrolyte
solution
5. Glass coated with
platinum
Image found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dye-sensitized_solar_cell, cited Secondary Article 2
c) Demonstration of DSSC cell

d) TiO Nanostructure
e) Electron energy levels
1. Electron injection from dye to conduction band
2. Electron recombination with dye cation
3. Dye regeneration from electrolyte
4. Electron recombination with electrolyte
5. Electron trapping in nanostructure
Published in: Qifeng Zhang, Christopher S. Dandeneau, Xiaoyuan Zhou, and Guozhong Cao; Advanced Materials. 2009, 21,
40874108. DOI: 10.1002/adma.200803827 Copyright 2009 Wiley-VCH
DSSC Nanostructure
Porous interconnected structure

Surface area increased 1000 times when
compared to bulk materials
Crystals cause light-scattering and
increase efficiency, but also cause
electron trapping
Thickness, shape, material all effect cell
efficiency
ZnO Nanostructures
a) Diagram of cell with nanowires

b) Image of nanowires
c) Comparison of cell performance for various shapes
and types of nanostructures
DSSC Modifications
Replace organic electrolyte solution
Volatile, undergoes expansion and contraction

Gel electrolyte
Polymer electrolyte
Solid organic conductor
Inorganic semiconductor
Replace ruthenium dye

Difficult to produce, environmentally dangerous
Organic dyes
Inorganic quantum dots
Replace TiO2 layer

SnO2
ZnO
Published in: L. M. Peter; J. Phys. Chem. C 2007, 111 (18). DOI: 10.1021/jp069058b
DSSC Development History

1991
Nature paper by O'Regan and Grtzel
First suggestion of workable DSSC
2006
Use of nanowires and nanoparticles
Demonstrated good chemical and thermal
resistance
2007, 2008
Use of low-cost organic dyes and solvent-free
electrolyte solution investigated
Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dye-sensitized_solar_cell
DSSC Efficiency
High chance of proton absorption and

high chance of electron movement
90% Quantum Efficiency for green light
Quantum Efficiency-chance that one photon will
convert one electron
Overall efficiency is 11% or less,

depending on materials of construction
DSSC Summary
Medium efficiency
Low cost
Problems to be addressed:
Liquid electrolyte (freezing, expanding,
volatility)
Poor performance in red region of light
Organic Hybrid Solar Cells

PT (polythiophene) and other oligomers have better
morphology and optoelectronic properties for
increased efficiency
Based on P3HT (poly-3(hexylthiophene)) derivatives
Image at http://www.iae.kyoto-u.ac.jp/molecule/nedo-mirai.jpg
What is an Oligothiophene?
Definition: Molecules in which two or more thiophene
rings are linked together
Gives rise to many optical and electrical properties
such as fluorescence, semiconductance, and light
emission
Both images found at http://www.isof.cnr.it/ppage/capob/thiof.html
Scheme 1: Mechanism of Excited State Deactivation of

Higher Generation Thiophene Dendrimers
Published in: Guda Ramakrishna; Ajit Bhaskar; Peter Bauerle; Theodore Goodson; J. Phys. Chem. A 2008, 112, 2018-2026.
DOI: 10.1021/jp076048h Copyright 2008 American Chemical Society
Why are oligothiophenes important?
Highly versatile chemistry

Very simple to synthesize basic molecules
Used in organic light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Field effect transistors
Uses an electric current to control the conductivity
of charge
Organic photovoltaic and light harvesting devices
(solar cells)
P3HT poly(3-hexylthiophene)
One of the major layers in an organic solar cell to
increase efficiency
In some lower quality solar cells the addition of P3HT
increased efficiency from 0.05% up to 0.29%
The best organic solar cells can reach up to 4-5%
efficiency
Current commercial solar cells use highly purified

silicon and reach 22% efficiency
PT and P3HT
A) PT
B) P3HT
Both are derived from the
basic oligothiophene
structure
P3HT has a hexane chain
added to the C5 position
of each thiophene ring
Image found at http://www.condensed-matter.uni-tuebingen.de/resources/pictures/molecules/P3HT.gif
Figure 1 Molecular structures of the investigated 3D

oligothiophene dendrimers.
Published in: Guda Ramakrishna; Ajit Bhaskar; Peter Bauerle; Theodore Goodson; J. Phys. Chem. A 2008, 112, 2018-2026.
DOI: 10.1021/jp076048h Copyright 2008 American Chemical Society
Atomic structure in the case of (a) P3HT

with 2510 atoms and (b) P3HT with 10
040 atoms. Hydrogen atoms have been
removed for clarity. Main chains are
shown in black and side chains in gray.
Published in: Nenad Vukmirovic; Lin-Wang Wang; J. Phys. Chem. B 2009, 113, 409-415. DOI: 10.1021/jp808360y
What is needed?
Organic solar cells have two main objectives:
1. They must have efficient excitation
delocalization and energy transfer to best mimic
natural systems (such as plants)
2. Must be able to convert solar energy and have
large electron mobility properties (P3HT helps
considerably with this)
Published in: McGehee, M.; Mayer, A.; Parmer, J.; Rowell, M.; Topinka, M.; Burkhardt, G. Improving Organic Solar
Cells C 2007 Stanford University
Zinc and Titanium Oxide Nanorods
Simple solar cell design where zinc oxide nanorods

are grown and a layer of titanium oxide is layered on
those rods
P3HT is layered overtop the rods as the holeconducting polymer
Significantly increases the voltage difference across
the cell, and can be exposed to atmospheric air to
increase efficiency
How can we improve?

One field of current research is to form a mesh of
carbon nanotubes with a P3HT light absorbing film
The following slides show one experiment from
Stanford University with the current and voltage
across a solar cell
Results
Efficiency over the system was nearly triple from
previous experiments, going up to 3% using a 95%
transparent film over the top of the cell
An increase in the carbon nanotube density of 20%
resulted in a increase of conductivity by 15-fold
Increasing the thickness of the P3HT layer aided
electron transfer
Research should be done to improve the
transparency of the top film layer to be above 95%
Sources
Main Article:
1.
Nanotechnology for Next Generation Solar Cells. Prashant V. Kamat and George
C. Schatz. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2009.
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jp905378n?cookieSet=1#citing
Secondary Articles:
1.
Hiroshi Imahori and Tomokazu Umeyama. DonorAcceptor Nanoarchitecture on
Semiconducting Electrodes for Solar Energy Conversion. J. Phys. Chem. C 2009.
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp9007448
2.
Wikipedia. Dye-sensitized solar cell. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyesensitized_solar_cell
3.
Qifeng Zhang, Christopher S. Dandeneau, Xiaoyuan Zhou, Guozhong Cao. ZnO
Nanostructures for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Advanced Materials. C 2009.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/122498586/PDFSTART
4.
Peter, L. M. Characterization and modeling of dye-sensitized solar cells. J. Phys.
Chem. C 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jp069058b
5.
Prashant V. Kamat. Meeting the Clean Energy Demand: Nanostructure Architectures
for Solar Energy Conversion. J. Phys. Chem. C 2007.
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jp066952u
6.
Yasuhiro Tachibana, Kazuya Umekita, Yasuhide Otsuka, Susumu Kuwabata. Charge
Recombination Kinetics at an in Situ Chemical Bath-Deposited CdS/Nanocrystalline
TiO2 Interface. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2009, 113 (16), pp 68526858
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jp809042z
Group S1 Rebuttal
Most of the comments were positive,
which were appreciated.
Of the negative comments, while we agree
with most, the ones we dont agree with
was our shortened introduction. We
believe that our topic was a continuation
of the solar cell discussion Dr. Seminario
gave on the first day of class, and
therefore a long introduction was not
needed.
Group
Group S2:
Review of Solar
Technology
Chris Heflin
Rachael Houk
Michael Jones
Positives
Group S1 was the first to present, and
therefore had a harder time knowing
what to expect with the presentation.
However, they presented a
professional, well organized
presentation.
Each presenter was knowledgeable
on their respective areas of the topic,
spoke clearly and fluently.
Negatives
The group should make use of the
microphones and vocal projection in order
to be well heard. Everything was very
quiet.
Many of the slides contained only words
and no pictures, making the presentation
less interesting.
Some of the material was a bit more
technical than most were prepared for. A
bit more introduction would be beneficial.
Bradford Lamb
Michael Koetting
James Kancewick
Week 1 Additional Slides
Seminar
Group
We felt S1 should have had more

detailed background slides towards
solar technology.
The information that they presented
was somewhat lost on the audience
because it was too detailed without
having a solid background.
Thus, we attached two additional slides
that improve background knowledge.
Group
Solar powered electrical generation

relies on heat engines and
photovoltaics
limited only by human ingenuity
most common way is to use solar
panels
Passive solar or active solar
Group
used to make saline or brackish water

potable
Solar energy may be used in a water
stabilization pond to treat waste water
without chemicals or electricity
Group
Group S4
Review of Solar Cell
Technology
Joshua Moreno
Scott Marwil
Danielle Miller
Group
Things Done Well

The group created a very nice power
point that was full of good visuals
and rich information
The group spoke very clearly and
made minimal use of words like
um.
The group presented the material in
a fun and interesting way.
Group
Things That Need

Improvement
The group needs to try to not fit so
much information on every slide.
The slides got a bit wordy in some
areas.
The group needs to develop the
introduction a little bit more. We felt
like it was too short and did a poor
job of leading into the material.
Group
Group S5
Review of Solar Cell
Technology
Group 5
Pradip Rijal
Jason Savatsky
Trevor Seidel
Laura Young
Group
Presentation Review
The group overall did a very good
job.
They talked about the use of DSSC
and Quantum Dots being used in
Solar Cells but they did not tell us
what they were.
Organization was satisfactory.
Could work on speaking louder.
Group
Critiqued by S6
Michael Trevathan
Daniel Arnold
Michael Tran
John Baumhardt
Group S6
Summary
Discussed new solar cell efficiencies resulting

from nanotechnology
Needed to discuss the feasibility of this
technology becoming a substantial source of
energy
Needed more analysis on cost at least some
estimated ranges based on the material
They all dressed nicely and spoke clearly
They were knowledgeable and directed their
attention toward the audience
Overall great presentation!
Group S6

S1 Amy Cornforth Tony Grupp Ana DAlmeida NanoSolar Cells Pres

Încărcat de

Informații document

Descriere originală:

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

S1 Amy Cornforth Tony Grupp Ana DAlmeida NanoSolar Cells Pres

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Nanotechnology for Next Generation

Solar cell introduction

Image found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Borealis3windmills.jpg

How Solar Cells Work. http://solarpanelworld.com/how-solar-cells-work.php

How do they work?

Light is absorbed by semiconductor

How Solar Cells Work. http://solarpanelworld.com/how-solar-cells-work.php

Solar Cell Development

Higher than traditionally-produced electricity

2. CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) polycrystalline semiconductor

3. Nanotechnology-enhanced solar cells

Quantum Dots and Ultra-Efficient Solar Cells? http://www.i-sis.org.uk/QDAUESC.php

Image found at::

Deposit CdSe quantum dots on nanostructured

Image found at: www.mrl.ucsb.edu/.../RISE/interns01/AlysonW.html

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Electrons for movement are provided by the

Nanomaterials used to create 3-D structure for

Basic DSSC Layers:

c) Demonstration of DSSC cell

Porous interconnected structure

a) Diagram of cell with nanowires

Volatile, undergoes expansion and contraction

Replace ruthenium dye

Replace TiO2 layer

DSSC Development History

High chance of proton absorption and

Overall efficiency is 11% or less,

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dye-sensitized_solar_cell

Organic Hybrid Solar Cells

Both images found at http://www.isof.cnr.it/ppage/capob/thiof.html

Scheme 1: Mechanism of Excited State Deactivation of

Why are oligothiophenes important?

Highly versatile chemistry

Current commercial solar cells use highly purified

Figure 1 Molecular structures of the investigated 3D

Atomic structure in the case of (a) P3HT

Zinc and Titanium Oxide Nanorods

Simple solar cell design where zinc oxide nanorods

How can we improve?

We felt S1 should have had more

Solar powered electrical generation

used to make saline or brackish water

Things Done Well

Things That Need

Discussed new solar cell efficiencies resulting

S-ar putea să vă placă și