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Self-organized nanostructures and transparent conducting electrodes for low cost scaleable organic photovoltaic devices

Reference Number
EP/F056494/1
Title
Self-organized nanostructures and transparent conducting electrodes for low cost scaleable organic photovoltaic devices
Status
Completed
Energy Categories
Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics)
Research Types
Basic and strategic applied research
Science and Technology Fields
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation
Not Cross-cutting
Principal Investigator
Dr MS Hill
Chemistry
University of Bath
Award Type
Standard
Funding Source
EPSRC
Start Date
01 May 2008
End Date
30 April 2011
Duration
36 months
Total Grant Value
£323,456
Industrial Sectors
Energy
Region
South West
Programme
Nanoscience to Engineering
Investigators
Principal Investigator
Dr MS Hill, Chemistry, University of Bath
Other Investigator
Dr AL Johnson, Chemistry, University of Bath
Professor KC Molloy, Chemistry, University of Bath
Industrial Collaborator
Project Contact, Merck Speciality Chemicals Ltd
Project Contact, Pilkington Group Ltd
Web Site
Objectives
Note : these four grants are linked : EP/F056494/1; EP/F056710/1; EP/F056648/2; EP/F056648/1
Abstract
The development of cheap renewable energy sources is required to reduce the environmental effects associated with the use of conventional fossil fuel based energy sources. Of all the renewable energy technologies, solar energy has the greatest potential as a world power source. For this reason, solar photovoltaic (PV), the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity, is expected to play a significant role in future electricity supply. Here we focus on the development of photovoltaic devices based upon organic semiconducting materials. This project focusses on two issues that are widely recognized as being key for the development of low-cost efficient and stable photovoltaic devices: (i) the development of low cost alternatives to indium tin oxide (ITO) as the transparent conducting electrode and (ii) control of nanomorphology of the donor-acceptor interface. This project will involve the design and synthesis of new electrode materials and the use of molecular self-organization strategies to control the donor-acceptor film morphology at the nanometre length scale to deliver high efficiency organic solar cell that are capable of being scaled up cost effectively. This project willalso lead to an improved fundamental understanding of device function. This multidisciplinary project brings together chemists, physicists, materials scientists and engineers with world-leading expertise in metal oxide electrode design, polymer synthesis and manufacturing. This project also involves collaboration with Pilkington Glass, Merck Chemicals and BP Solar
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Added to Database
14/04/08