Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors







Heifer International

Wikipedia Affiliate Button


Home > Press > Nature notices PKU's new solar battery in carbon nanotubes

Abstract:
Peking University (PKU) Professor Peng Lianmao published Research Efficient Photovoltage Multiplication in Carbon Nanotubes on Nature Photonics (2011, 5, PP.672-676), with PhD candidates from PKU School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, Yang Leijing and Wang Shengfu, as co-writers.

Nature notices PKU's new solar battery in carbon nanotubes

Beijing, China | Posted on November 24th, 2011

Nature Photonics is one of the periodicals belonging to the renowned journal Nature. The research paper contains major breakthrough in the study of nanoelectronic applications. It at the same time represents the new progress in the field of nanoelectronic applications made by Professor Peng Lianmao's team.

With the background that natural resource is more and more meager, solar power has many unsurpassable advantages as an alternative energy source. At present, global researches in solar photovoltage mainly focus on the study of photovoltaic devices based on new nanomaterials.

Carbon nanotubes are direct-bandgap materials that are not only useful for nanoelectronic applications, but also have the potential to make a significant impact on the next generation of photovoltaic technology. A semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) has an unusual band structure, as a result of which high-efficiency carrier multiplication effects have been predicted and observed, and films of SWCNTs with absorption close to 100% have been reported. Other important features for photovoltaic applications include high mobility and the availability of ohmic contacts for both electrons and holes. However, the photovoltage generated from a typical semiconducting SWCNT is less than 0.2V, which is too small for most practical photovoltaic applications. Given this background, the researchers successfully showed how this value was readily multiplied by using virtual contacts at the carbon nanotube, which turned to be an important and challenging job.

Professor Peng and his team worked out an approach, the key to which was the introduction of a local virtual contact to the CNT. This contact is virtual in the sense that it is not intended to be connected to the external circuit. In one example, more than 1.0V is generated from a 10-mm-long carbon nanotube with a single-cell photovoltage of 0.2V. This work was realized based on the forward researches conducted by the same team.

In 2008, the research group put forward a method to form carbon nanotube (CNT) diodes using asymmetrically contacts between electrodes. This research finding was published on Advanced Materials (2008, 20, 3258). On this basis, using almost the same but improved methods, the team invented the first carbon tube infrared light-emitting diode (LED), Nano Letters (2011, 11, 23) reported.

The study was supported by the China's National Basic Research Program, and funded by the National Natural Science Fund Committee (NNSFC).

Written by: Jiang Zhaohui
Edited by: Arthars

####

For more information, please click here

Copyright © Peking University

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

News and information

Aspen Aerogels Announces $22.5 Million Private Placement May 18th, 2013

NanoInk, Inc. Assets To Be Sold May 18th, 2013

Beautiful "flowers" self-assemble in a beaker: Elaborate nanostructures blossom from a chemical reaction perfected at Harvard May 17th, 2013

Scientists capture first direct proof of Hofstadter butterfly effect May 17th, 2013

Nanotubes/Buckyballs

UC Riverside scientists discovering new uses for tiny carbon nanotubes: Adding ionic liquid to nanotube films could build smaller gadgets, and create more cost effective 'Smart Windows' that darken in bright sun May 15th, 2013

Development know-how is made available to collaboration partners: Bayer MaterialScience brings nano projects to a close May 8th, 2013

Next-generation transistor outperforms other carbon-based designs May 7th, 2013

Ubiquitous engineered nanomaterials cause lung inflammation, study finds: Substances are used in everything from paint to sporting equipment May 6th, 2013

Discoveries

Beautiful "flowers" self-assemble in a beaker: Elaborate nanostructures blossom from a chemical reaction perfected at Harvard May 17th, 2013

Artificial Forest for Solar Water-Splitting: Berkeley Lab Researchers Report First Fully Integrated Artificial Photosynthesis Nanosystem May 17th, 2013

Moth-Inspired Nanostructures Take the Color Out of Thin Films May 17th, 2013

Scientists capture first direct proof of Hofstadter butterfly effect May 17th, 2013

Announcements

Aspen Aerogels Announces $22.5 Million Private Placement May 18th, 2013

NanoInk, Inc. Assets To Be Sold May 18th, 2013

NIA Public Briefing: Nanotechnology and the Council of Europe May 17th, 2013

Scientists capture first direct proof of Hofstadter butterfly effect May 17th, 2013

Energy

Artificial Forest for Solar Water-Splitting: Berkeley Lab Researchers Report First Fully Integrated Artificial Photosynthesis Nanosystem May 17th, 2013

Moth-Inspired Nanostructures Take the Color Out of Thin Films May 17th, 2013

Solar panels as inexpensive as paint? It’s possible due to research at UB, elsewhere May 13th, 2013

Flawed Diamonds Promise Sensory Perfection: Berkeley Lab researchers and their colleagues extend electron spin in diamond for incredibly tiny magnetic detectors May 10th, 2013

Battery Technology/Capacitors/Generators/Piezoelectrics

Add boron for better batteries: Rice University theorists say graphene-boron mix shows promise for lithium-ion batteries May 17th, 2013

New Mechanism Converts Natural Gas to Energy Faster, Captures CO2 May 7th, 2013

Microwave oven cooks up solar cell material: Nanocrystal semiconductor for photovoltaics, medical sensors, heat reuse May 6th, 2013

Improving materials that convert heat to electricity and vice-versa May 5th, 2013

Solar/Photovoltaic

Artificial Forest for Solar Water-Splitting: Berkeley Lab Researchers Report First Fully Integrated Artificial Photosynthesis Nanosystem May 17th, 2013

Moth-Inspired Nanostructures Take the Color Out of Thin Films May 17th, 2013

Solar panels as inexpensive as paint? It’s possible due to research at UB, elsewhere May 13th, 2013

Cambrios Taps Sriram Peruvemba to Oversee Worldwide Marketing May 8th, 2013

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE





  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoTech-Transfer
University Technology Transfer & Patents
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More












ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project








abbigliamento uomo
Computer Accessories
© Copyright 1999-2013 7th Wave, Inc. All Rights Reserved PRIVACY POLICY :: CONTACT US :: STATS :: SITE MAP :: ADVERTISE