Enhanced solar light harvesting and charge transport in dye-sensitized solar cells
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Oxford Physics
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells are moderately efficient with verified solar-to-electrical power conversion efficiencies of over 12% reported. However, even in the state-of-the-art systems only a fraction of the incident sun light is absorbed, implying substantial scope for improvement. Here we develop both state-of-the-art liquid electrolyte based DSCs and contemporary solid-state hybrid DSCs with the target being to considerably enhance the light capture and adsorption in these devices and also significantly improve the charge transport characteristics. Routes to both improve the photonic structure of the solar cells, create improved semiconducting oxide electrodes for enhanced charge transport and collection and develop and optimise new sensitizers for these systems shall be undertaken.
People |
ORCID iD |
Henry Snaith (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Sakai N
(2016)
The mechanism of toluene-assisted crystallization of organic-inorganic perovskites for highly efficient solar cells
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Huang D
(2009)
Optical description of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. II. Device optical modeling with implications for improving efficiency
in Journal of Applied Physics
Hey A
(2013)
Large area hole transporter deposition in efficient solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell mini-modules
in Journal of Applied Physics
Nedelcu M
(2010)
Monolithic route to efficient dye-sensitized solar cells employing diblock copolymers for mesoporous TiO 2
in J. Mater. Chem.
Guldin S
(2011)
Improved conductivity in dye-sensitised solar cells through block-copolymer confined TiO 2 crystallisation
in Energy Environ. Sci.
Wehrenfennig C
(2014)
Charge-carrier dynamics in vapour-deposited films of the organolead halide perovskite CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3-x Cl x
in Energy Environ. Sci.
Abrusci A
(2011)
Facile infiltration of semiconducting polymer into mesoporous electrodes for hybrid solar cells
in Energy & Environmental Science
Tiwana P
(2012)
The origin of an efficiency improving "light soaking" effect in SnO2 based solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells
in Energy & Environmental Science
Eperon G
(2014)
Formamidinium lead trihalide: a broadly tunable perovskite for efficient planar heterojunction solar cells
in Energy & Environmental Science
Quarti C
(2016)
Structural and optical properties of methylammonium lead iodide across the tetragonal to cubic phase transition: implications for perovskite solar cells
in Energy & Environmental Science
Description | Discovered organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites could work exceptionally well in photovolatics. |
Exploitation Route | Triggered a massive research activity in perovskite solar cells worldwide. This is both at research institutions and industry. the direct outputs of this project have been transferred to Oxford PV and enabled them to rise to the forefront of PV development. Assuming successful delivery to a product, this technology has the potential to transform the PV industry, and subsequently the power industry. |
Sectors | Energy,Environment |
Description | Through the collaboration from this Japanese/UK award the original know how on processing perovskite materials was transferred from japan to UK. The potential transformative impact of perovskites was not realised by the Japanese collaborators, but through work in Oxford a stream of discoveries enabled the realisation of efficient perovskite solar cells which has lead to the growth of Oxford PV ltd to become a world force in emerging PV. |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
Description | Oxford PV |
Organisation | Oxford Photovoltaics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We have made cells and materials and supplied them to Oxford PV for characterisation and/or further material deposition. |
Collaborator Contribution | Oxford PV have supplied some Silicon PV cells upon which to coat the perovskite cells for the all perovskite tandem cells. They have also deposited ITO conducting oxide upon our cells to complete our devices. In addition they have allowed access to other characterisation facilities including optical microscope and x-ray diffraction analysis. |
Impact | One of the main outcomes is that Oxford PV has raised in the region of £30M external investment, with the technology based on technology originally conceived in Oxford University. The company has benefited from continuing fundamental advancements of the technology, driven from our university lab. we are now working closely together on this project and will collaboratively deliver record efficiency solar cells. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Various Radio Interviews |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Radio Interviews for BBC world service and news reports |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=henry+snaith |