Inorganic-organic hybrids for solar energy applications

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This Discovery project will focus on the synthesis of well ordered heterojunction metal oxide nanomaterials and their polymer nanocomposites using new "green" techniques in sol-gel and polymer synthesis. These 3-D ordered inorganic-organic structures have solar energy applications in photovoltaics (PV), photocatalytic devices, and films that control light and heat for next generation PV encapsulants and smart greenhouse films. Our synthetic approach will examine how supercritical fluids, primarily supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), can be used for developing these structures and subsequent microfabrication. This "zero" surface tension tuneable solvent allows for the synthesis of unique 1-D metal oxide nanostructures of various morphologies including nanowires, fibers and tubes. We have recently discovered a one-pot synthesis route where nanometal oxides can be formed from inert liquid components through reaction and self-assembly steps. In the same reactor, quantum dot nanocrystals (QDs) and polymers (co and ter) such as fluoropolymers can be directly attached to the ceramic nanomaterials, and subsequently deposited as thin films. This transformative technology using a green solution based approach provides the potential to make these advanced materials at previously unobtainable low costs, although significant scientific and engineering challenges remain.