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Photocell Optimization Using Dark State Protection.

Amir Fruchtman¹, Rafael Gómez-Bombarelli², Brendon W Lovett³

¹Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PH, United Kingdom.

Physical Review Letters

|November 26, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Molecular dimers can overcome photocell efficiency limits by using dark states to store photon energy. Asymmetric molecular dimers show potential for enhanced light-to-current conversion, paving the way for new solar cell technologies.

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Area of Science:

Photovoltaics
Molecular physics
Materials science

Background:

Conventional solar cells face efficiency limits due to the principle of detailed balance, where light absorption and emission rates are coupled.
This fundamental limitation restricts the maximum achievable energy conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore a novel approach for overcoming the efficiency threshold in photocells by utilizing "dark states" to store absorbed photon energy.
To investigate the potential of molecular dimers, specifically asymmetric ones, to facilitate this energy storage mechanism through dipole-dipole interactions.

Main Methods:

Development of an intuitive theoretical model for a photocell incorporating two light-absorbing molecules coupled to a reaction center.
Analysis of the role of dipole-dipole interactions in creating and utilizing dark states within molecular dimers.

Main Results:

Demonstration that asymmetric molecular dimers can naturally form suitable dark states due to dipole-dipole interactions.
Theoretical prediction of significant enhancement in light-to-current conversion efficiency for photocells utilizing these asymmetric molecular dimers under ambient conditions.

Conclusions:

Asymmetric molecular dimers offer a promising pathway to surpass the efficiency limitations of conventional photocells.
A roadmap is proposed for identifying and screening molecular candidates to experimentally validate this enhanced photovoltaic effect.