High-Efficiency, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

染料敏化太阳能电池（DSSCs）有潜力成为一种廉价的太阳能电池替代品，后者使用更昂贵的组件，如硅。具有更高太阳能转换效率的DSSCs的制造可能对太阳能电池的实现产生重大影响。目前，有几个因素限制了DSSC效率的提高及其实际应用，如不希望的电子重组途径，低效的光收集，以及稀土基（如钌）光敏剂的高成本。具有新型多层结构的DSSCs具有克服传统TiO2层厚度限制的潜力，并且能够有效地收集多个TiO2层产生的电子。本研究将探索一种新型多层结构基序制备的DSSCs的结构-效率关系。提出了利用原子层沉积技术制造多层结构的新方法。此外，提出的环化锚定策略将用于将低成本的二维或三维循环阵列，具有宽吸收带的混合有机光敏剂引入DSSCs以提高光捕获。本研究将有助于更好地理解多层DSSCs的结构-性质关系，并可能为开发高效DSSCs的新型结构基序开辟新的途径。更广泛的影响本研究项目将为一名化学研究生和一名可再生能源技术化学工程研究生提供跨学科培训。至少有六名本科生也将参加这个跨学科的研究项目。教育和推广计划将特别努力招收、合作和鼓励来自代表性不足群体的学生。

1033255FalconerIntellectual MeritDye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have the potential to be an inexpensive alternative to solar cells that use much more expensive components such as silicon. The fabrication of DSSCs that have significantly higher solar energy conversion efficiency could have a major impact on solar cell implementation. Currently, several factors limit increases in DSSC efficiency and their practical use, such as undesired electron recombination pathway, inefficient light harvesting, and high cost of rare earth-based (e.g. ruthenium) photosensitizers. DSSCs with novel multi-layered structures have potential to overcome the traditional thickness limitation for the TiO2 layer, and would enable efficient collection of electrons generated from multiple TiO2 layers. The proposed research will explore the structure-efficiency relationships of DSSCs fabricated with a novel multi-layered structure motif. New approaches are proposed to create a multi-layered structure using atomic layer deposition. Furthermore, a proposed cyclization-anchoring strategy will be utilized to introduce 2-D or 3-D cyclic arrays of low-cost, hybrid organic photosensitizers with broad absorption bands into DSSCs to improve light harvesting. The proposed research will lead to better understanding of the structure-property relationships in multi-layered DSSCs, and may open up new approaches for the development of novel structure motifs for high-efficiency DSSCs.Broader ImpactsThis research project will provide cross-disciplinary training for one graduate student in chemistry and one graduate student in chemical engineering in renewable energy technologies. At least six undergraduate students will also participate in this interdisciplinary research program. The education and outreach plan will make a particular effort to recruit, work with, and encourage students from underrepresented groups.