High-Efficiency, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

1033255 FalconerIntelligence MeritDye敏化太阳能电池(DSC)有可能成为使用更昂贵组件(如硅)的太阳能电池的廉价替代品。具有显著更高的太阳能转换效率的直接序列存储器件的制造可能会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，如不希望看到的电子复合途径，低效的光收集，以及稀土(如Ru)光敏剂的高昂成本。具有新颖的多层结构的DSC具有克服传统的TiO2层厚度限制的潜力，并将能够有效地收集多个TiO2层产生的电子。这项研究将探索用一种新的多层结构模体制作的直接序列干细胞的结构-效率关系。提出了利用原子层沉积形成多层结构的新方法。此外，提出的环化-锚定策略将被用于将低成本、具有宽吸收带的杂化有机光敏剂的2-D或3-D循环阵列引入到DSC中，以提高对光的捕获。这项研究将有助于更好地理解多层直接序列存储系统中的结构-性质关系，并可能为开发高效直接序列存储系统的新结构主题开辟新的途径。至少有六名本科生也将参加这个跨学科的研究项目。教育和外展计划将特别努力招收来自代表性不足群体的学生，与他们合作，并鼓励他们。

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.