Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | EP/E503713/1 | |
| Title | hybrid nano-structured electrodes for organic photovoltaics | |
| 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 (Chemistry) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Dr RA Hatton No email address given Chemistry University of Warwick |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 April 2007 | |
| End Date | 31 March 2012 | |
| Duration | 60 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £1 | |
| Industrial Sectors | No relevance to Underpinning Sectors; Transport Systems and Vehicles | |
| Region | West Midlands | |
| Programme | Materials, Mechanical and Medical Eng | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Dr RA Hatton , Chemistry, University of Warwick (100.000%) |
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | For the commercial exploitation of organic solar cells significant improvements in power conversion efficiency must be achieved. Whilst state-of-the-art organic solar cells based on nano-scale phase separated polymer blends have recently achieved cell efficiencies of - 5%, this is only half the prerequisite efficiency for market entry. The low efficiency of charge carrier extraction in this type of organic solar cell is a major obstacle to further improvements in power conversion efficiency, a problem which is exacerbated by the requirement to increase the thickness of the photoactive organic layer in order to harvest more of the incident light. This proposal seeks to engineer scalable nano-structured electrodes with the potential to dramatically improve the efficiency of charge carrier extraction by removing charges close to the point of generation along highly conductive pathways. Candidate materials include multi-wall carbon nanotubes and nano-structured conducting polymers supported on indium-tin oxide coated plastic substrates. These high transparency and flexible composite electrodes are a compelling alternative to conventional smooth electrodes and do not complicate the process of cell fabrication. The successful development of this new class of electronic material is expected to greatly increase the prospects of organic solar cells realizing their potential as an economically viable path to harvesting energy from sunlight | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 17/11/11 | |
