Bulk Heterostructure Solar Cells: Electronic Structure and Interface Design

体异质结构太阳能电池：电子结构和界面设计

• 批准号: 0906922
• 负责人: Rudiger Schlaf
• 金额: $ 39.56万
• 依托单位: University of South Florida
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-07-01 至 2013-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0906922&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Bulk; Heterostructure; Solar; Cells; Electronic

Technical: The main focus of this research project is on the determination of the electronic structure of three-dimensional heterostructure excitonic solar cells based on blends and thin films of nanoparticles, polymers, dyes and small molecular materials. Such solar cells promise low production costs, while offering low weight and mechanical flexibility. The electronic structure of materials interfaces in the solar cells is crucial for exciton dissociation, recombination prevention, and charge transfer. In order to further increase efficiency and open circuit voltage, it is essential to understand the electronic structure of these interfaces. The main analytical techniques employed in this project include photoemission and inverse photoemission spectroscopies, which allow the direct measurement of charge injection barriers at molecular heterointerfaces. The enabling preparative technique for these experiments is in-vacuum electrospray deposition, which has been established in recent years through previous efforts in the PI's group. This unique combination of photoemission spectroscopy, inverse photoemission spectroscopy, and electrospray deposition in the same experimental system allows the characterization of occupied and unoccupied states at macro-molecular interfaces at the same time. Additionally, feasibility of spray-based fabrication of solar cell structures using the electrospray deposition at atmospheric pressure is investigated in this project. The electrostatics offers ways for controlling the microscopic morphology of deposited films.Non-technical: The project addresses basic research issues in a topical area of materials science with high technological relevance. The research project aims to improve the understanding of heterojunction solar cells based on organic materials and nanoparticles and at the same time seeks a new method for solar cell fabrication. On the educational side, graduate and undergraduate students are trained while participating in the cutting-edge scientific research of a strategically important area. The PI especially focuses on recruiting minority and female students for this research project and has an established record of involving undergraduate students, including those from the underrepresented groups, in research.

技术支持：该研究项目的主要重点是确定三维异质结激子太阳能电池的电子结构，该电池基于纳米颗粒、聚合物、染料和小分子材料的共混物和薄膜。这样的太阳能电池承诺低生产成本，同时提供低重量和机械灵活性。太阳能电池中材料界面的电子结构对于激子解离、防止复合和电荷转移至关重要。为了进一步提高效率和开路电压，必须了解这些接口的电子结构。在这个项目中采用的主要分析技术包括光电子能谱和逆光电子能谱，它允许在分子异质界面的电荷注入势垒的直接测量。使这些实验的制备技术是在真空中电喷雾沉积，这已建立在近年来通过以前的努力在PI的小组。这种独特的光电子能谱，逆光电子能谱，和电喷雾沉积在同一实验系统中的组合允许在同一时间在大分子界面的占用和未占用状态的表征。此外，本计画亦探讨在大气压下利用电喷雾沉积技术以喷雾方式制造太阳能电池结构的可行性。静电学提供了控制沉积薄膜微观形态的方法。非技术性：该项目涉及材料科学领域的基础研究问题，具有高度的技术相关性。该研究项目旨在提高对基于有机材料和纳米颗粒的异质结太阳能电池的理解，同时寻求太阳能电池制造的新方法。在教育方面，研究生和本科生在参加战略重要领域的尖端科学研究的同时接受培训。PI特别注重为这一研究项目招募少数民族和女学生，并有让本科生，包括代表性不足群体的本科生参与研究的既定记录。