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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/F056702/1
Title Manufacturable nanoscale architectures for heterojunction solar cells
Status Completed
Energy Categories Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics) 100%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Professor Sir R Friend
No email address given
Physics
University of Cambridge
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 01 May 2008
End Date 31 October 2011
Duration 42 months
Total Grant Value £1,320,959
Industrial Sectors Electronics
Region East of England
Programme Nanoscience to Engineering
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Professor Sir R Friend , Physics, University of Cambridge (99.993%)
  Other Investigator Dr hjs Snaith , Oxford Physics, University of Oxford (0.001%)
Dr N Greenham , Physics, University of Cambridge (0.001%)
Professor H Sirringhaus , Physics, University of Cambridge (0.001%)
Professor U Steiner , Physics, University of Cambridge (0.001%)
Professor W Huck , Chemistry, University of Cambridge (0.001%)
Professor M Welland , IRC - Nanotechnology, University of Cambridge (0.001%)
Dr CR (Chris ) McNeill , Physics and Materials Engineering, Monash University, Australia (0.001%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract This project will produce manufacturable nanoscale architectures for heterojunction solar cells. Though routed strongly within 'science', the objectives are to achieve engineering solutions to allow the breakthrough needed in this field (target efficiency 10%). Excitonic solar cells based on molecular semiconductors require the presence of a heterojunction between electron and hole-accepting semiconductors in order to separate charges from photogenerated excitons. Large heterojunction interfacial areas are required if all photogenerated excitons are to reach the heterojunction before decaying, and this requires a complex nanoscale architecture. Current methods to achieve this nanostructure and limited and solar cell performance of such devices has stalled. We propose therefore to develop generic routes to separate the control of the nanoscale morphology from the selection of the donor and acceptor semiconductors. This will represent a critical advance in allowing astable process window, and should allow improved photovoltaic performance through better morphology control and the ability to use semiconductors better matched to the solar spectrum. These routes will be compatible with low temperature processing (this is critical for low-cost manufacturing). The general principle we will use is to separate the processes needed to form the desired nanoscale architecture from the subsequent formation of the active semiconductor-semiconductor heterojunctionsat which charge separation is achieved.Central to our approach is the use of 'sacrificial' polymer structures that provide excellent control of nanoscale morphology, and their later replacement with active semiconductors. We will use the controlled nanoscale structures produced using di-block copolymer
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Added to Database 14/04/08