Hybrid organic-inorganic metal-semiconductor nanoparticles for highly efficient solar cell concentrators

研究目标和方法本研究的目的是从理论上研究有机-无机金属-半导体杂化纳米颗粒中的光的下转换，该纳米颗粒含有附着在具有金属结构的半导体纳米晶体上的有机发色团。该方法是使用含时密度泛函理论和时域有限差分技术，主要目的是识别、设计和模拟高效发光太阳能电池聚光器。智能价值智能的优点是彻底了解混合纳米颗粒中下转换过程的物理机制，这是实现最佳太阳能集中的关键。加入金属结构的原因是利用金属纳米结构的等离子体共振产生的巨大局部电场增强来提高下转换速率，从而提高太阳能的增益。广泛影响拟议的活动将在所有教育级别提供推广计划，从K-12到本科生和研究生课程。例如，通过在奥兰多科学中心定期参与，将完成对K-12的宣传。多样化将是一项优先努力，鼓励女性和代表性不足的少数群体参与拟议的研究和教育计划。拟议的研究活动的目标是将现有发光太阳能集中器的集中效率至少提高两倍，从而显著降低光伏电池的成本，这将鼓励更多的人在自己的家中安装光伏系统，使美国减少对外国石油的依赖，同时通过清洁能源支持环境和自然。

Research Objectives and ApproachesThe objective of this research is to investigate theoretically the down-conversion of light in hybrid organic-inorganic metal-semiconductor nanoparticles, containing organic chromophores attached to semiconductor nanocrystals with metallic structures. The approach is to use time-dependent density-functional theory and finite-difference time domain techniques, with main purpose to identify, engineer, and model highly efficient luminescent solar cell concentrators. Intellectual MeritThe intellectual merit is to understand thoroughly the physical mechanism of the down-conversion process in hybrid nanoparticles, which is essential for the optimal solar energy concentration. The reason for including metallic structures is to make use of the giant local electric field enhancement through plasmonic resonances of metallic nanostructures to increase the down conversion rate and therefore also the solar power gain.Broader ImpactsThe proposed activity will provide outreach programs through all educational levels, ranging from K-12 to undergraduate and graduate programs. For example, outreach to K-12 will be accomplished through regular participation at the Orlando Science Center. Being diverse will be a priority effort through encouraging women and underrepresented minority groups to participate in the proposed research and education programs.The goal of the proposed research activity is to at least triple the concentration efficiency of existing luminescent solar energy concentrators, thereby reducing the costs of photovoltaic cells significantly, which will encourage many more people to install photovoltaic systems in their own homes, making US less dependent on foreign oil and at the same time supporting the environment and nature through a clean energy source.