Charge Generation And Transport In Next Generation Semiconductors
Lead Research Organisation:
Swansea University
Department Name: College of Science
Abstract
This PhD research project involves the study of new semiconductor materials for solar energy harvesting. In particular, next generation organic and perovskite semiconductors will be investigated and characterised in thin film architectures. Activities will include: advanced optical measurements such as spectrophotometry and ellispsometry, device fabrication and testing, transfer matrix and drift diffusion modelling, transport physics analysis and the establishment of structure-property relationship to describe solar cell performance. The ultimate aim of the project is to deliver deeper insight into new solar cell technologies such as the emergent carbon-stack perovskite system.
EPSRC Research Area: Materials for Energy Applications.
EPSRC Research Area: Materials for Energy Applications.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509553/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/06/2022 | |||
| 2105073 | Studentship | EP/N509553/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/03/2021 | Robin Kerremans |
| Description | A novel kind of solar cell, the mesoporous perovskite carbon stack, was characterized theoretically and predictions were made concerning optimization of said solar cell. A matlab code was written allowing the determination of optical constants (a key characteristic) of new types of materials used in solar cells, using more resource-efficient measurement than the conventionally existing methods, and even improving on them. Another matlab code is being written, meant to characterize the process of photoluminescence emission in solar cell materials, and could possibly be on the level of insight of competitive, professional software (Setfos) |
| Exploitation Route | The characterization method used for the carbon stack forms a blueprint for characterizations of other, novel solar cells. It also developed key insights on how to improve this particular cell if the decision is made to go forward with it (ie selective NiO contact, AVA to improve wetting,layer thickness,...). The written matlab code facilitates the characterization of both perovskite and non-fullerene solar cells in general; both are promising, novel types of devices in need of theoretical characterization. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Energy |
| Description | Mesoporous Carbon Stack collaboration |
| Organisation | SPECIFIC |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Theoretical characterization of the mesoporous perovskite carbon solar cell, a novel type of solar cell that SPECIFIC is seeking to prime for mass-production. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Providing example devices of the solar cell in question for measurements, providing single layers on glass for optical characterization, providing some equipment for measurements. |
| Impact | Published two papers together on the mesoporous perovskite carbon solar cell. |
| Start Year | 2017 |