| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R12756/01 |
| Title: |
Beyond the Gratzel Cell: Replacing the Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells |
| Principal Investigator: |
Peter, Professor LM |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Bath |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 January 2001 |
Ends: |
30 September 2004 |
Value (£): |
181,559
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Solar Technology |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Construction |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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We propose to replace the ruthenium dye in the Gratzel cell by semiconductor nanocrystals attached to the nanocrystalline oxide support. The attached particles may have the same bandgap as the bulk (e.g. CdTe), or they may be size selected semiconductor quantum dots (e.g. PbS). The Q-particles are exciting because their bandgap can be tailored. Provided that the conduction band of the particles is high enough, photoexcitation will lead to electron injection into the conduction band of the TiO2 or other wide bandgap oxide. The hole in the Q-particle will be transferred to the adjacent phase (electrolyte or polymer) and transported to the other contact. Previous work has demonstrated that sensitisation of TiO2 by Q-particles of PbS, Bi2S3 and other materials can be as efficient as by conventional dyes with a considerably better response at low photon energies where the N3 dye does not absorb. This is exactly what is needed to improve cell performance.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.bath.ac.uk |