INNOVASOL

Innovative Materials for Future Generation Excitonic Solar Cells

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'INNOVASOL aims to develop radically new nanostructured materials for photovoltaic (PV) excitonic solar cells (XSCs) really competitive with traditional energy sources. The main objective is to leapfrog current limitations of third-generation PV devices through a drastic improvement of the materials used for assembling XSCs. The first step is the substitution of the liquid electrolytes, currently used in dye-sensitised solar cells, with solid-state hole conductors. In parallel, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) with tuned band gap, designed to enhance the photon capture efficiency, will replace the organic dyes as light absorbers. A striking improvement is expected from multi exciton generation (MEG) effects, overcoming the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit of 31% for the PV conversion. In a second step, highly innovative QDs will be designed and synthesized: the QDs will be covered by self-assembled monolayers of amphiphilic dye molecules, mimicking the photosynthetic antenna system. The dye molecules will act as molecular relays (MRs), which connect the QDs to the transparent conductive oxide (TCO). Novel TCO architectures will be developed for efficient interface energy transfer and electron diffusion. Six academic institutions guarantee an interdisciplinary research, based on top level theoretical and experimental approaches. The high degree of knowledge of solid-state physics and chemistry, nanoscience and nanotechnology of the researchers assures that the new concepts and the objectives proposed will be successfully developed/pursued. Fiat research center and Solaronix, a SME leader in the XSCs production, will provide proof-of-concept prototypes to validate the innovative materials developed by the academic partners. Materials and technological solutions of INNOVASOL are original and will pave the way for future generation XSCs alternative to devices so far developed both inside and outside Europe.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Converting the Sun's light into electricity seems like the ultimate renewable energy concept with emissions non-existent and energy security largely independent of regional politics. EU-funded scientists are taking us there.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The latest photovoltaic (PV) devices are so-called excitonic solar cells (XSCs) and include the third-generation dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs). These DSSCs can be imagined as a sort of sandwich. The two electrodes covered with a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) on their inner surfaces form the bread. In between are semiconductor nanoparticles coated with a photosensitive organic dye and surrounded by a liquid electrolyte solution.

With EU funding of the project 'Innovative materials for future generation excitonic solar cells' (INNOVASOL), scientists are planning to overcome the current limitations of PV XSCs by changing the functional materials. Promising candidates will be highly stable to ultraviolet (UV) light, have excellent energy-harvesting efficiency and be economical to manufacture.

A key to success is the use of quantum dots (QDs), tiny nanocrystals of semiconductor materials that have interesting optical and electrical properties. Research is focused on replacing the liquid electrolytes with solid-state or quasi-solid electrolytes, and replacing the organic dyes with inorganic QD light absorbers. The QDs will be covered by dye molecules acting as molecular relays (MRs) connecting the QDs to the TCO. The sandwich analogy now has rod-like QD/MRs in place of the semiconductor nanoparticles and a solid or quasi-solid electrolyte instead of the liquid one.

The first project period was largely devoted to benchmarking of conventional DSSC materials and the evaluation and selection of promising candidates for the new materials. All candidates were selected with the exception of the quasi-solid electrolytes. Finally, a multi-scale computational model of organic and inorganic interfaces was developed to support the synthesis and characterisation of new materials.

INNOVASOL is developing improved XSC devices incorporating innovative materials such as QDs for clean and renewable electricity generation powered by the Sun. With enhanced lifetime, stability and efficiency, the technology is certain to find a plethora of long-term applications with stringent performance requirements.