Self-organized nanostructures and transparent conducting electrodes for low cost scaleable organic photovoltaic devices
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The development of cheap renewable energy sources is required to reduce the environmental effects associated with the use of conventional fossil fuel based energy sources. Of all the renewable energy technologies, solar energy has the greatest potential as a world power source. For this reason, solar photovoltaic (PV), the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity, is expected to play a significant role in future electricity supply. Here we focus on the development of photovoltaic devices based upon organic semiconducting materials. This project focusses on two issues that are widely recognized as being key for the development of low-cost efficient and stable photovoltaic devices: (i) the development of low cost alternatives to indium tin oxide (ITO) as the transparent conducting electrode and (ii) control of nanomorphology of the donor-acceptor interface. This project will involve the design and synthesis of new electrode materials and the use of molecular self-organization strategies to control the donor-acceptor film morphology at the nanometre length scale to deliver high efficiency organic solar cell that are capable of being scaled up cost effectively. This project will also lead to an improved fundamental understanding of device function. This multidisciplinary project brings together chemists, physicists, materials scientists and engineers with world-leading expertise in metal oxide electrode design, polymer synthesis and manufacturing. This project also involves collaboration with Pilkington Glass, Merck Chemicals and BP Solar.
Publications
Buckingham M
(2017)
Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition of CdS from Xanthate Single Source Precursors
in Crystal Growth & Design
Cosham S
(2015)
Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorinated ß-Ketoiminate Zinc Precursors and Their Utility in the AP-MOCVD Growth of ZnO:F
in European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
Cosham S
(2017)
Precursors for p-Type Nickel Oxide: Atmospheric-Pressure Metal-Organic Chemical-Vapour Deposition (MOCVD) of Nickel Oxide Thin Films with High Work Functions
in European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
Cosham S
(2016)
Synthesis, Structure and Chemical Vapour Deposition Studies on the Group 13 Complexes [Me 2 M{tfacnac}] [M = Al, Ga, In; Htfacnac = F 3 CC(OH)CHC(CH 3 )NCH 2 CH 2 OCH 3 ]
in European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
Cosham SD
(2014)
New organo- and amidozinc derivatives of primary amines.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Leventis HC
(2010)
Nanostructured hybrid polymer-inorganic solar cell active layers formed by controllable in situ growth of semiconducting sulfide networks.
in Nano letters
Wildsmith T
(2013)
Exclusive formation of SnO by low temperature single-source AACVD.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
| Description | A wide variety of CVD precursors, derived from novel anionic nacac ligand sets, were developed. Although of limited applicability, due to insufficient volatility, for atmospheric pressure CVD, ALL the new compounds synthesised show rich potential as bespoke oxide precursors under reduced pressure conditions |
| Exploitation Route | The focus of the project, because of its close tie in with the 'on-line' production methods of the float glass industry, was entirely focused on the requirements of a an atmospheric CVD process. This will continue to be an extremely challenging objective with conventional delivery methods. The compounds are all completely practicable precursors at reduced pressures, however. Further CVD at reduced pressures is required to fully assess the rich potential of the new precursors devised. |
| Sectors | Energy |