GOALI: Plasmonically Enhanced Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaics

研究目标和方法：本研究的目的是使用金属纳米颗粒的定制化学物质来推进有机太阳能电池，当组装成薄膜时，就像薄膜表面的微小透镜一样将阳光聚焦到光吸收区域。当金属纳米颗粒排列成完美的周期性棋盘阵列时，它们可以产生等离子体共振，导致高增强吸收。通过与当地公司MetaMateria的联盟，将有一个重要的杠杆作用。此外，与Terry Bigioni教授的合作将进一步扩大研究范围。Metamateria将使纳米颗粒靠近活性收集区域放置，Bigioni将创建放置在活性区域内的纳米颗粒。来自俄亥俄州化学的James Coe教授的加入为等离子体光学效应建模提供了经验丰富的背景。智力优势：拟议的项目将建立一个世界级的聚合物太阳能电池计划，将使用等离子体推进低成本聚合物太阳能电池。与MetaMateria一起开发独特和定制的纳米颗粒化学品将成为其他应用的平台技术，例如燃料电池和水净化，这是Metamateria的关键商业化目标更广泛的影响：通过与行业合作，我们将提高美国行业的竞争力和地位，并提高太阳能电池的效率和功能。工业界的参与将扩大创新文化，并将研究成果集中于战略商业化。本科研究人员将为拟议的工作提供有价值的和实质性的贡献。

Research Objectives and Approaches:The objective of this research is to advance organic solar cells using tailored chemistries of metallic nanoparticles that when assembled into a thin film act like tiny lenses across the film surface to focus sunlight onto the light absorption region. When metal nanoparticles are aligned into a perfect periodic checker-board array, they can create a plasmonic resonance leading to a high augmented absorption. There will be a significant leveraging through an alliance with the local company, MetaMateria. Also, collaborations with Prof. Terry Bigioni will further expand the scope of study. Metamateria will fashion nanoparticles to be placed adjacent the active collection region and Bigioni will create nanoparticles to be placed inside the active region. The addition of Prof. James Coe from Ohio State's Chemistry provides an experienced background with modeling plasmonic optical effects. Intellectual Merit:The proposed project will establish a world-class program in polymer solar cells that will advance low-cost polymer solar cells using plasmonics. The development of unique and tailored nanoparticles chemistries with MetaMateria will be a platform technology for other applications, such as fuel cells and water purification, which are key commercialization thrusts for MetamateriaBroader Impacts:Through collaborations with industry, we will increase the competitiveness and position of US industry and advance the efficiency and functionality of solar cells. Participation of industry will broaden the culture of innovation and focus the research output towards strategic commercialization. Undergraduate researchers will provide valuable and substantive contributions to the proposed work.