The integration of photovoltaic devices with carbon-fibre composites
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Perovskite semiconductors are a new class of semiconductor that can be used as the active layer in photovoltaic (solar cell) devices, producing low-carbon electricity directly from sunlight. The best perovskite solar cells can now convert sunlight to electrical energy with an efficiency of over 22%, with such devices being produced using solution based techniques. Here, a perovskite 'precursor' solution can be spread over a surface which then forms the perovskite semiconductor material. This process is expected to allow perovskites to be 'printed' onto surfaces, allowing solar cells to be produced at very low cost.
In this project, we will focus on the use of spray-coating to deposit perovskite solar cells. Spray-coating is routinely used to coat paints and pigments in many manufacturing processes, and critically is not restricted to coating 'flat' surfaces, but can cover curved surfaces - for example the curved roof of an automobile. We will take full advantage of this, and will make the first detailed study of the use of spray-coating to coat perovskite solar cells over non-planar surfaces, e.g. over cylinders or aerofoil-shapes (similar to the shape of an aeroplane-wing).
We believe that the results of this work will form the basis of a series of new technologies. A particular focus of our work will be to use spray-based techniques to coat perovskite PV over carbon-fibre composite materials. Carbon-fibre is already widely used in industry as a high-performance, light-weight engineering material - e.g. forming the body of sports-cars, the hulls of yachts and in other demanding applications. By coating the surface of carbon-fibre with a solar-cell, we will be able to create a new class of super-strong, lightweight materials that are able to generate electricity from sunlight at low cost.
We believe such materials will be of particular importance in generating power for mobile applications, and will have identified a range of applications in the aerospace and automotive sectors. To realize such a task we have assembled a team of researchers having world-leading expertise in the development of spray and deposition techniques to fabricate perovskite solar cells, together with researchers expert in the processing and testing of carbon-fibre composite materials. A key part of the project will be to understand the interactions between the different materials that we will deposit and the carbon fibre surface. We will make a full characterization of the mechanical properties of the solar-cells we develop, and will explore techniques to 'encapsulate' such devices to maximise their operational lifetime.
In this project, we will focus on the use of spray-coating to deposit perovskite solar cells. Spray-coating is routinely used to coat paints and pigments in many manufacturing processes, and critically is not restricted to coating 'flat' surfaces, but can cover curved surfaces - for example the curved roof of an automobile. We will take full advantage of this, and will make the first detailed study of the use of spray-coating to coat perovskite solar cells over non-planar surfaces, e.g. over cylinders or aerofoil-shapes (similar to the shape of an aeroplane-wing).
We believe that the results of this work will form the basis of a series of new technologies. A particular focus of our work will be to use spray-based techniques to coat perovskite PV over carbon-fibre composite materials. Carbon-fibre is already widely used in industry as a high-performance, light-weight engineering material - e.g. forming the body of sports-cars, the hulls of yachts and in other demanding applications. By coating the surface of carbon-fibre with a solar-cell, we will be able to create a new class of super-strong, lightweight materials that are able to generate electricity from sunlight at low cost.
We believe such materials will be of particular importance in generating power for mobile applications, and will have identified a range of applications in the aerospace and automotive sectors. To realize such a task we have assembled a team of researchers having world-leading expertise in the development of spray and deposition techniques to fabricate perovskite solar cells, together with researchers expert in the processing and testing of carbon-fibre composite materials. A key part of the project will be to understand the interactions between the different materials that we will deposit and the carbon fibre surface. We will make a full characterization of the mechanical properties of the solar-cells we develop, and will explore techniques to 'encapsulate' such devices to maximise their operational lifetime.
Planned Impact
The UK excels in the high volume manufacture of composite materials, having a range of applications in specialist vehicles, marine, the rail industry and in renewable technologies. The proposed research will directly benefit UK companies involved in composites manufacturing and supply, and companies interested in the uses of such materials. The research is also set against the background of the UK solar industry that has undergone very rapid growth in the last 5 years. Here, a number of large UK companies are directly involved in PV manufacturing including the glass manufacturer Pilkington. The UK also has a nascent perovskite PV industry (Oxford PV, Big Solar Ltd).
We expect the combination of perovskite PV with CF composites that we will develop will create an exciting class of super-strong, lightweight materials that are able to function as structural materials that are able to generate electricity. There is range of emerging applications for PV enabled composite materials that will be stimulated by the demonstration of the enabling technologies we propose. These include PV cladding for buildings, trickle-charge for automobiles and power for safety-helmets, and solar-power for autonomous aerial vehicles (AUVs). Here AUVs are currently being developed to provide internet access to people in unconnected regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. Solar AUVs are also expected to have significant applications in environmental monitoring and disaster relief etc. By necessity such solar AUVs need a large wingspan to collect sufficient power to maintain their flight and thus the scalable spray-coating technology we outline is well suited for this task.
We propose a range of activities to gain Impact for our research:
(1) We will work with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Design & Prototyping Group to develop a fixed-wing, radio-controlled model aircraft that - using the spray-cast carbon-fibre devices - will be capable of either partial (i.e. battery augmented) or full solar-powered flight. This demonstrator will be used to develop new commercial partnerships by hosting a small stand at the Advanced Engineering Show at the NEC in Birmingham.
(2) We will also work with two companies (Big Solar Ltd and Greatcell Solar Ltd) who are interested in the deposition techniques that we will develop in the project. In particular, the deposition of perovskite films over large areas by spray-coating, the development of charge-transport materials compatible with heat- and chemically-sensitive substrates, and the necessity to develop low-cost encapsulation is of critical importance to companies looking to commercialize perovskite solar cell technologies. One of our partner companies will fund a substantial level of research time to cover the transfer of knowledge between this project and the company, allowing our basic science research to find near-term applications in commercial products.
(3) We will assemble a network of interested parties having a background in PV device engineering and in the use and manufacture of carbon-fibre composites during the course of the project. This includes the company Prismatic Ltd who have a direct interest in developing AUVs as low-cost, low-altitude satellites. We will write a series of articles about our project for different trade magazines. This will help us identify technology-partners and end-users, an activity that will be important for further development of the technology beyond the lifetime of the project.
Finally, this project will have a significant impact on the careers of the researchers we will employ. We will employ 3 PDRAs and two PhD students who will address the development of manufacture techniques, testing, metrology and the evaluation of new types of PV devices. We are confident that the experience gained in these areas will meet UK industry's growing demands for highly-trained researchers in advanced manufacture.
We expect the combination of perovskite PV with CF composites that we will develop will create an exciting class of super-strong, lightweight materials that are able to function as structural materials that are able to generate electricity. There is range of emerging applications for PV enabled composite materials that will be stimulated by the demonstration of the enabling technologies we propose. These include PV cladding for buildings, trickle-charge for automobiles and power for safety-helmets, and solar-power for autonomous aerial vehicles (AUVs). Here AUVs are currently being developed to provide internet access to people in unconnected regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. Solar AUVs are also expected to have significant applications in environmental monitoring and disaster relief etc. By necessity such solar AUVs need a large wingspan to collect sufficient power to maintain their flight and thus the scalable spray-coating technology we outline is well suited for this task.
We propose a range of activities to gain Impact for our research:
(1) We will work with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Design & Prototyping Group to develop a fixed-wing, radio-controlled model aircraft that - using the spray-cast carbon-fibre devices - will be capable of either partial (i.e. battery augmented) or full solar-powered flight. This demonstrator will be used to develop new commercial partnerships by hosting a small stand at the Advanced Engineering Show at the NEC in Birmingham.
(2) We will also work with two companies (Big Solar Ltd and Greatcell Solar Ltd) who are interested in the deposition techniques that we will develop in the project. In particular, the deposition of perovskite films over large areas by spray-coating, the development of charge-transport materials compatible with heat- and chemically-sensitive substrates, and the necessity to develop low-cost encapsulation is of critical importance to companies looking to commercialize perovskite solar cell technologies. One of our partner companies will fund a substantial level of research time to cover the transfer of knowledge between this project and the company, allowing our basic science research to find near-term applications in commercial products.
(3) We will assemble a network of interested parties having a background in PV device engineering and in the use and manufacture of carbon-fibre composites during the course of the project. This includes the company Prismatic Ltd who have a direct interest in developing AUVs as low-cost, low-altitude satellites. We will write a series of articles about our project for different trade magazines. This will help us identify technology-partners and end-users, an activity that will be important for further development of the technology beyond the lifetime of the project.
Finally, this project will have a significant impact on the careers of the researchers we will employ. We will employ 3 PDRAs and two PhD students who will address the development of manufacture techniques, testing, metrology and the evaluation of new types of PV devices. We are confident that the experience gained in these areas will meet UK industry's growing demands for highly-trained researchers in advanced manufacture.
Publications
Alanazi TI
(2020)
Potassium iodide reduces the stability of triple-cation perovskite solar cells.
in RSC advances
Bernardo G
(2021)
Progress in Upscaling Organic Photovoltaic Devices
in Advanced Energy Materials
Bishop JE
(2020)
Development of Spray-Coated Perovskite Solar Cells.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Bishop JE
(2020)
Fully Spray-Coated Triple-Cation Perovskite Solar Cells.
in Scientific reports
Blackburn D
(2022)
Low-Temperature, Scalable, Reactive Deposition of Tin Oxide for Perovskite Solar Cells
in Solar RRL
Blackburn D
(2022)
Low-Temperature, Scalable, Reactive Deposition of Tin Oxide for Perovskite Solar Cells
in Solar RRL
Cassella EJ
(2022)
Gas-Assisted Spray Coating of Perovskite Solar Cells Incorporating Sprayed Self-Assembled Monolayers.
in Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
Game OS
(2023)
Direct Integration of Perovskite Solar Cells with Carbon Fiber Substrates.
in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
Sasitharan K
(2022)
Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheets as Templates to Enhance Performance in Semi-Crystalline Organic Photovoltaic Cells.
in Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
Smith JA
(2020)
Rapid Scalable Processing of Tin Oxide Transport Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells.
in ACS applied energy materials
| Description | This project aims to fabricate solar-cell devices onto the surface of curved carbon-fibre panels, creating structural materials that can generate energy from sunlight. A key part of this work is to use the technique of spray-coating as it allows non-planar surfaces to be covered with solution processable 'inks' that can be converted into semiconductor materials, allowing complete devices to be fabricated by spray-coating. We have developed a series of processing techniques that allow us to fabricate highly efficient devices. Here, we have developed two techniques to help crystallise the perovskite layer in our devices that absorbs sunlight and create the electrical charge within the device. One technique involves exposing the wet perovskite film to a coarse vacuum, the other (more industrially relevant) technique involves blowing a jet of gas across the drying film. Such techniques allowed us to create fully spray-cast solar cell devices, in which all layers (including absorbing layers and charge-transporting layers) were deposited by spray-coating. Using this technique, we fabricated solar cells that had a power conversion efficiency of up to 20.1%. We undertook some scale-up of device active area and fabricated devices that had an active area of around 1 cm2, with devices having an efficiency of 12.7%. We have very recently developed a method to fabricate thin, stable films onto a carbon-fibre substrate. This development was not as straightforward as we initially expected, and we found that films and photovoltaic devices fabricated onto carbon fibre underwent 'cracking' as the substrates were heated caused by a buildup of thermally-induced strain. This caused devices to fail due to the generation of short-circuits associated with the cracked films. We have now developed a methodology to ensure much better compatibility between the different layers, allowing multilayers to be deposited onto carbon fibre without cracks appearing during heating. This is a very significant finding as it allows us to deposit efficient photovoltaics and other devices onto carbon fibre which do require some degree of heating during their processing. Using this technique, we have now created perovskite photovoltaic devices onto carbon fibre substrates, with devices having a maximum power efficiency of around 15%. We have also recently found that we can spray-cast perovskite photovoltaic devices onto (i) substrates that are held at an angle with respect to the spray-jet and (ii) onto curved, hemispherical substrates. Encouragingly we do not see a 'run-off' of the perovskite or other inks on spray-coating on these surfaces, indicating a high degree of tolerance of our process to non-planar surfaces. We have optimised this process and have fabricated devices onto the surface of a glass lens, with devices having an efficiency in excess of 12%. |
| Exploitation Route | We are still developing our technology and are looking to scale up our devices (at present they are still relatively small - < 1 cm2). We are though very encouraged by our findings and are currently exploring the patent protection of key elements of our process, and are also considering establishing a spin-out company to exploit some of the project key outcomes. We are exploring follow-on research with the composites team at the Advanced Manufacture Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Electronics,Energy,Transport |