Development of a solution processed transparent top contact
Lead Research Organisation:
Swansea University
Department Name: College of Engineering
Abstract
The key considerations when choosing an appropriate PSC structure for a particular application is as follows; (i) n-i-p or p-i-n layer structure, (ii) planar or mesoporous metal oxide (iii) perovskite material choice and (iv) Evaporated or printed top contact. The latter challenge represents a key consideration for a metal device in so much as an evaporated electrode as a top contact would not enable any light to penetrate. Alternatives exist to an evaporated contact but their use in perovskite solar cells are at an early stage and have not yet been used in Steel products. This project will develop a solution processable transparent top contact appropriate for the completion of a perovskite device onto a steel substrate. Where appropriate this technology may also be applied to provide conductivity at the bottom contact. The broad proposed objectives are outlined below:
- To select and optimise a range of different transparent conducting materials for trial including Ag Nanowires, Carbon nanomaterials and ITO nanoparticles
- To ensure solvent compatibility and orthoganol deposition
- To apply the materials onto a device stack and confirm device functionality at small scale
- To analyse and investigate the critical parameters of the material deposition that can give the highest conductivity v transparency performance and repeatability of production
- To develop a new scalable fabrication processes for the materials that are appropriate for large scale deposition.
- Integrate the printing developments into a 10cmx10cm prototype using other ongoing development in order to achieve 10% performance
- Expand the process to a 1m2 prototype using existing equipment at SPECIFIC
- To remove any bottlenecks or complexity in the process so as to drive down the cost of manufacture
The engineering student on this project will have full access to the Swansea University PV scale up facilities and will work full time on supporting Tata objectives. Furthermore any successful product outcomes including early stage prototypes will benefit from rapid integration into the SPECIFIC pipeline of energy buildings including the onsite Active classroom, Active office and Steel Innovation Centre.
The ambitious and transformational potential of the projects and their subsequent risk is mitigated by the association of the researcher with one of the leading teams in the UK on the scale-up of new photovoltaic technologies and in particular extensive expertise on printing functional coatings onto flexible substrates.
This project can also feed into the "Buildings as powerstations" concept in developing economies to create low-cost off-grid buildings that integrate a range of different technology innovations to capture, store and release energy.
- To select and optimise a range of different transparent conducting materials for trial including Ag Nanowires, Carbon nanomaterials and ITO nanoparticles
- To ensure solvent compatibility and orthoganol deposition
- To apply the materials onto a device stack and confirm device functionality at small scale
- To analyse and investigate the critical parameters of the material deposition that can give the highest conductivity v transparency performance and repeatability of production
- To develop a new scalable fabrication processes for the materials that are appropriate for large scale deposition.
- Integrate the printing developments into a 10cmx10cm prototype using other ongoing development in order to achieve 10% performance
- Expand the process to a 1m2 prototype using existing equipment at SPECIFIC
- To remove any bottlenecks or complexity in the process so as to drive down the cost of manufacture
The engineering student on this project will have full access to the Swansea University PV scale up facilities and will work full time on supporting Tata objectives. Furthermore any successful product outcomes including early stage prototypes will benefit from rapid integration into the SPECIFIC pipeline of energy buildings including the onsite Active classroom, Active office and Steel Innovation Centre.
The ambitious and transformational potential of the projects and their subsequent risk is mitigated by the association of the researcher with one of the leading teams in the UK on the scale-up of new photovoltaic technologies and in particular extensive expertise on printing functional coatings onto flexible substrates.
This project can also feed into the "Buildings as powerstations" concept in developing economies to create low-cost off-grid buildings that integrate a range of different technology innovations to capture, store and release energy.
Planned Impact
The COATED2 CDT will support the aims of the EPSRC/TSB SPECIFIC IKC and the EPSRC CIM in Large Area Electronics at Swansea University through the provision of 40 research engineers (REs). The SPECIFIC IKC has ambitious targets to create buildings that are power-stations through the use of functional coatings. The targets include:
- A £1billion UK manufacturing sector creating business opportunities with export potential
- Creation of around 7,000 manufacturing/construction sector jobs
- Generation of up to 1/3 of the UK's renewable energy target
- Reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 6 million tons
The CIM in Large Area Electronics has key aims that are synergistic with the IKC, in particular to address the challenges of low-cost manufacturing of multi-functional LAE systems and to support the scale-up of technologies for functional materials. Both projects have shared technologies and processes and RE support through COATED2 will have significant impact on achieving their aims through:
- The supply of highly trained and enthusiastic REs for a growing new industry base
- Encouraging radical thinking for REs in terms of optimisation and up-scaling of laboratory concepts to an industrial scale
- Achieving greater engagement with new and existing industry and academic partners.
The COATED2 RE cohorts will provide impact in a number of key areas -
Knowledge
- Research projects defined by industry with a real scientific or engineering need at their core ensuring relevant research is embedded within the industrial partner/University.
- Engagement of multiple partners through the CDT/IKC's open innovation arrangements permits sharing of knowledge between otherwise discrete industries
- Each RE will produce 3 publications and attend 1 international conference disseminating knowledge into the academic community.
- RE research will be evidenced in taught modules ensuring that quality of training is enhanced year on year.
- Development of new technologies will create a lead for the UK in up-scaling of complex functional coated products.
- Training modules are accessible to Industrial partners providing knowledge beyond the scope of the core CDT.
Economy
- Future industry leaders will be created from the CDT. 96% of previous REs at Swansea have moved onto industry related careers.
- Innovative new products and processes will catalyse new industries and technology advances in established manufacturers generating wealth.
- 8 Patents have been filed by the IKC since 2011 and REs are critical for the on-going development of IP exploitation.
- SPECIFIC Innovations has been established to develop business models and spin-out companies for the exploitation of IP created through the CDT and IKC attracting inward investment.
- The facilities within SPECIFIC and the CIM coupled with extensive industrial partners bridges the gap between research and wealth creation ensuring that outputs from the CDT are maximised.
Society
- REs will engage in active outreach to promote their research and attract more people into STEM activities.
- There have been over 1000 separate visits to the IKC/CDT raising awareness of the product potential to a range of end users.
- Research activity at the CDT supporting the IKC and the CIM will contribute towards alleviating fuel poverty, reducing CO2 output and providing energy security
- Water purification, bio-inspired coatings and durability research benefits developed and developing nations.
People
- The CDT will produce 40 highly skilled individuals trained to support industry and academia
- Graduates of the scheme moving into employment will grow networks between academia and industrial partners creating new opportunities for the CDT.
- Shared seminars with other institutions will enable REs to gain insights into complementary research and raise awareness of available facilities and resources
- A £1billion UK manufacturing sector creating business opportunities with export potential
- Creation of around 7,000 manufacturing/construction sector jobs
- Generation of up to 1/3 of the UK's renewable energy target
- Reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 6 million tons
The CIM in Large Area Electronics has key aims that are synergistic with the IKC, in particular to address the challenges of low-cost manufacturing of multi-functional LAE systems and to support the scale-up of technologies for functional materials. Both projects have shared technologies and processes and RE support through COATED2 will have significant impact on achieving their aims through:
- The supply of highly trained and enthusiastic REs for a growing new industry base
- Encouraging radical thinking for REs in terms of optimisation and up-scaling of laboratory concepts to an industrial scale
- Achieving greater engagement with new and existing industry and academic partners.
The COATED2 RE cohorts will provide impact in a number of key areas -
Knowledge
- Research projects defined by industry with a real scientific or engineering need at their core ensuring relevant research is embedded within the industrial partner/University.
- Engagement of multiple partners through the CDT/IKC's open innovation arrangements permits sharing of knowledge between otherwise discrete industries
- Each RE will produce 3 publications and attend 1 international conference disseminating knowledge into the academic community.
- RE research will be evidenced in taught modules ensuring that quality of training is enhanced year on year.
- Development of new technologies will create a lead for the UK in up-scaling of complex functional coated products.
- Training modules are accessible to Industrial partners providing knowledge beyond the scope of the core CDT.
Economy
- Future industry leaders will be created from the CDT. 96% of previous REs at Swansea have moved onto industry related careers.
- Innovative new products and processes will catalyse new industries and technology advances in established manufacturers generating wealth.
- 8 Patents have been filed by the IKC since 2011 and REs are critical for the on-going development of IP exploitation.
- SPECIFIC Innovations has been established to develop business models and spin-out companies for the exploitation of IP created through the CDT and IKC attracting inward investment.
- The facilities within SPECIFIC and the CIM coupled with extensive industrial partners bridges the gap between research and wealth creation ensuring that outputs from the CDT are maximised.
Society
- REs will engage in active outreach to promote their research and attract more people into STEM activities.
- There have been over 1000 separate visits to the IKC/CDT raising awareness of the product potential to a range of end users.
- Research activity at the CDT supporting the IKC and the CIM will contribute towards alleviating fuel poverty, reducing CO2 output and providing energy security
- Water purification, bio-inspired coatings and durability research benefits developed and developing nations.
People
- The CDT will produce 40 highly skilled individuals trained to support industry and academia
- Graduates of the scheme moving into employment will grow networks between academia and industrial partners creating new opportunities for the CDT.
- Shared seminars with other institutions will enable REs to gain insights into complementary research and raise awareness of available facilities and resources
People |
ORCID iD |
| Trystan Watson (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Jack Horne (Student) |