Gas Phase Processing for Low Cost Dye Solar Cells

该项目由电子、通信和网络系统部门(ECCS)的能源、电力和自适应系统(EPAS)计划和材料研究部门(DMR)的电子和光子材料(EPM)计划联合资助。研究目标和方法：本研究的目标是使用基于化学气相沉积的原子和分子层沉积方法来开发高效、低成本的有机太阳能电池，特别是染料太阳能电池。该方法是多学科的，并使用实验-建模相结合的方法。智能优点：这项研究解决了与在纳米多孔无机光电极表面沉积和表征超薄金属氧化物和有机染料有关的基本问题，以及气相合成有机-无机异质界面上电荷传输的表征和分析。主要研究工作包括：1.利用超薄原子层沉积金属氧化物来设计纳米结构异质界面的电学性质；2.利用脉冲分子层沉积方法开发有机染料负载工艺；3.开发高通量的DSC工艺；4.了解界面工程DSC中的电荷传输和效率提高的来源。广泛的影响：所提出的研究有望为提高光伏异质界面的电子质量和将有机光吸收剂加载到纳米结构无机光电极上带来新的方法，并在染料太阳能电池的加工和成本效益方面开辟新的模式。与拟议研究相关的主题将被纳入国际光伏基础课程和高级光伏课程。这项研究将包括女学生和来自代表性不足群体的学生参与拟议的研究任务。为期一天的夏令营将启动，以提高布鲁金斯高中生对绿色能源科学技术的认识。

This project is jointly funded by the Energy, Power, and Adaptive Systems (EPAS) Program in the Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS) and the Electronic and Photonic Materials (EPM) Program in the Division of Materials Research (DMR).Research Objectives and Approaches: The objective of this research is to use chemical vapor-based atomic and molecular layer deposition methods for the development of highly efficient cost effective organic solar cells with a particular focus on dye solar cells. The approach is multidisciplinary and uses a combined experimental-modeling approach. Intellectual Merit:The research addresses the fundamental issues associated with the deposition and characterization of ultra-thin metal oxides and organic dyes on the surface of nanoporous inorganic photoelectrodes along with the characterization and analysis of charge transport at the gas phase synthesized organic-inorganic heterointerfaces. The major research tasks include: 1. Engineering electronic properties of nanostructured heterointerfaces using ultra-thin atomic layer deposited metal oxides, 2. Developing an organic dye loading process using a pulsed molecular layer deposition method, 3. Developing a high throughput DSC process, and 4. Understanding the charge transport and origin of efficiency enhancement in interface engineered DSCs.Broader impacts: The proposed research is expected to lead to new methodologies for enhancing electronic quality of photovoltaic heterointerfaces and loading organic light absorbers onto nanostructured inorganic photoelectrodes and open new paradigms in processing and cost-effectiveness of dye solar cells. Topics related to the proposed research will be integrated into the PI's "Fundamentals of Photovoltaics" and "Advanced photovoltaics" courses. This research will involve female students and students from underrepresented groups in the proposed research tasks. A one day long summer camp will be initiated to raise the awareness of Brookings high school students to the science and technology of green energy.