A research team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has shown that certain organic dyes can help build virtual highways for energy transfer in organic solar cells.
The Sun sends enormous amounts of energy to the Earth. But some is lost in the solar cells. This presents an obstacle to the use of organic solar cells, especially those that can be used in innovative applications. The main factor that increases its performance: better transport of the solar energy stored in the material.
A report on the team's findings was published in the journal Nature Communications .
Organic solar cells are lightweight, extremely thin energy harvesters, and the flexible coating fits perfectly on almost any surface. Organic semiconductor solar cells offer a number of applications, such as solar panels and films that can be rolled up or used in smart devices.
One of these researchers is Professor Frank Ortman from the Department of Theoretical Spectroscopy Methods at TUM.
He and his Dresden colleagues focus mainly on the interaction of light and matter, in particular on the behavior of excitons.
Ortmann, who is also a member of the competence group “Electronics Conversion”, explains: “Excitons are like solar fuel and must be used optimally. When light energy in the form of photons reaches the solar cell material, it is absorbed and maintained in an excited state. This intermediate state is called an exciton. » These charges cannot be used as electricity until they reach a specially designed interface.
paints for turbo engines
The reason it is so important for excitons to reach this limit as quickly as possible is their short lifetime.
"The faster and more precise the transport, the higher the energy production and therefore the efficiency of the solar cell," says Ortmann.
This is made possible by organic dye molecules called quinoid merocyanins due to their chemical structure and ability to absorb visible light.
Therefore, they can also be used as active layers in organic solar cells, Ortmann said.
Energy accumulates at an accelerated rate
Using spectroscopic measurements and simulations, the researchers were able to observe excitons passing through the dye molecules. "The value of 1.33 electron volts that we obtain with our design is much higher than the values found in organic semiconductors: we can say that the organic dye molecules form a kind of highway," says Ortmann. These fundamental new discoveries could accelerate the development of more efficient organic solar cells and organic LEDs, paving the way for more efficient, targeted exciton transport in organic solids.
This research could lead to dramatic changes in the practical application of solar energy harvesting. Many practical aspects of organic cells seem to have been resolved. Manufacturing processes and costs, sustainability, etc. The questions remain open, but this result will facilitate continued research on prototypes.
And it will be really good.
Brian Westenhaus via Newenergyandfuel.com
Other popular items on Oilprice.com:
Return to main page
Can we really save money with an environmentally friendly approach? (And how much does that cost?)
