Home > Press > Nanotube composites increase the efficiency of next generation of solar cells
 |
| The high degree of control of the method enables production of highly efficient nanotube networks with a very small amount of nanotubes compared to other conventional methods, thereby strongly reducing materials costs. |
Abstract:
Carbon nanotubes are becoming increasingly attractive for photovoltaic solar cells as a replacement to silicon. Researchers at Umeå University in Sweden have discovered that controlled placement of the carbon nanotubes into nano-structures produces a huge boost in electronic performance. Their groundbreaking results are published in the prestigious journal Advanced Materials.
Nanotube composites increase the efficiency of next generation of solar cells
Umeå, Sweden | Posted on March 18th, 2014Carbon nanotubes, CNTs, are one dimensional nanoscale cylinders made of carbon atoms that possess very unique properties. For example, they have very high tensile strength and exceptional electron mobility, which make them very attractive for the next generation of organic and carbon-based electronic devices.
There is an increasing trend of using carbon based nanostructured materials as components in solar cells. Due to their exceptional properties, carbon nanotubes are expected to enhance the performance of current solar cells through efficient charge transport inside the device. However, in order to obtain the highest performance for electronic applications, the carbon nanotubes must be assembled into a well-ordered network of interconnecting nanotubes. Unfortunately, conventional methods used today are far from optimal which results in low device performance.
In a new study, a team of physicists and chemists at Umeå University have joined forces to produce nano-engineered carbon nanotubes networks with novel properties.
For the first time, the researchers show that carbon nanotubes can be engineered into complex network architectures, and with controlled nano-scale dimensions inside a polymer matrix.
"We have found that the resulting nano networks possess exceptional ability to transport charges, up to 100 million times higher than previously measured carbon nanotube random networks produced by conventional methods," says Dr David Barbero, leader of the project and assistant professor at the Department of Physics at Umeå University.
In a previous study (Applied Physics Letters, Volume 103, Issue 2, 021116 (2013)) the research team of David R. Barbero already demonstrated that nano-engineered networks can be produced onto thin and flexible transparent electrodes that can be used in flexible solar cells. These new results are expected to accelerate the development of next generation of flexible carbon based solar cells, which are both more efficient and less expensive to produce.
Editor: Ingrid Söderbergh
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
David Barbero
46-070-210-7705
Copyright © Umea 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:
| Related Links |
| Related News Press |
News and information
Gold nanostars and immunotherapy vaccinate mice against cancer: New treatment cures, vaccinates mouse in small proof-of-concept study August 18th, 2017
Researchers printed graphene-like materials with inkjet August 17th, 2017
Candy cane supercapacitor could enable fast charging of mobile phones August 17th, 2017
Nanotubes/Buckyballs/Fullerenes/Nanorods
Regulation of two-dimensional nanomaterials: New driving force for lithium-ion batteries July 26th, 2017
Tests show no nanotubes released during utilisation of nanoaugmented materials June 9th, 2017
Ag/ZnO-Nanorods Schottky diodes based UV-PDs are fabricated and tested May 26th, 2017
Discoveries
Gold nanostars and immunotherapy vaccinate mice against cancer: New treatment cures, vaccinates mouse in small proof-of-concept study August 18th, 2017
Researchers printed graphene-like materials with inkjet August 17th, 2017
Candy cane supercapacitor could enable fast charging of mobile phones August 17th, 2017
Announcements
Gold nanostars and immunotherapy vaccinate mice against cancer: New treatment cures, vaccinates mouse in small proof-of-concept study August 18th, 2017
Researchers printed graphene-like materials with inkjet August 17th, 2017
Candy cane supercapacitor could enable fast charging of mobile phones August 17th, 2017
Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers
Gold nanostars and immunotherapy vaccinate mice against cancer: New treatment cures, vaccinates mouse in small proof-of-concept study August 18th, 2017
Researchers printed graphene-like materials with inkjet August 17th, 2017
Candy cane supercapacitor could enable fast charging of mobile phones August 17th, 2017
Energy
Freeze-dried foam soaks up carbon dioxide: Rice University scientists lead effort to make novel 3-D material August 16th, 2017
Two Scientists Receive Grants to Develop New Materials: Chad Mirkin and Monica Olvera de la Cruz recognized by Sherman Fairchild Foundation August 16th, 2017
Fewer defects from a 2-D approach August 15th, 2017
Solar/Photovoltaic
Fewer defects from a 2-D approach August 15th, 2017
Controlled manipulation: Scientists at FAU are investigating the properties of hybrid systems consisting of carbon nanostructures and a dye August 8th, 2017
Simultaneous Design and Nanomanufacturing Speeds Up Fabrication: Method enhances broadband light absorption in solar cells August 5th, 2017
 |
||
 |
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
 |
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
 |
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
University Technology Transfer & Patents
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||