Singlet Fission for Photovoltaics with 130 % Injection Efficiency
Andreas Kunzmann1, Marco Gruber2, Rubén Casillas1
1Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy & Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|June 5, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed a novel pentacene dimer for dye-sensitized solar cells, achieving nearly 130% carrier multiplication via singlet fission. This breakthrough enhances solar energy conversion efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photovoltaics
- Organic Electronics
Background:
- Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are promising for renewable energy.
- Achieving high carrier multiplication is crucial for improving DSSC efficiency.
- Pentacene derivatives offer potential for advanced photovoltaic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate a novel pentacene dimer (P2) and monomer (P1) for n-type DSSCs.
- To investigate the role of singlet fission in P2 for enhanced carrier generation.
- To optimize photoelectrode materials for efficient electron injection from triplet excited states.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of pentacene dimer (P2) and monomer (P1).
- Fabrication of n-type dye-sensitized solar cells using indium-zinc oxide photoelectrodes with Li+.
- Spectroscopic analysis to study excited state dynamics and electron injection efficiency.
Main Results:
- Efficient electron injection from triplet excited states of both P1 and P2 was achieved.
- Pentacene dimer (P2) demonstrated significant carrier multiplication (nearly 130%) through singlet fission.
- Indium-zinc oxide with Li+ proved to be an optimal photoelectrode material.
Conclusions:
- The novel pentacene dimer (P2) effectively utilizes singlet fission for carrier multiplication in DSSCs.
- Optimized photoelectrode materials facilitate efficient electron injection from triplet states.
- This work presents a viable strategy for enhancing solar cell performance through molecular design and material selection.
Related Concept Videos
02:50Nuclear Fission
12.5K
Many heavier elements with smaller binding energies per nucleon can decompose into more stable elements that have intermediate mass numbers and larger binding energies per nucleon—that is, mass numbers and binding energies per nucleon that are closer to the “peak” of the binding energy graph near 56. Sometimes neutrons are also produced. This decomposition of a large nucleus into smaller pieces is called fission. The breaking is rather random with the formation of a large...
12.5K
01:20Binary Fission
64.1K
Fission is the division of a single entity into two or more parts, which regenerate into separate entities that resemble the original. Organisms in the Archaea and Bacteria domains reproduce using binary fission, in which a parent cell splits into two parts that can each grow to the size of the original parent cell. This asexual method of reproduction produces cells that are all genetically identical.
64.1K
01:26Binary Fission
3.2K
Binary fission is the primary mode of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes, such as bacteria. It results in the production of two genetically identical daughter cells. This highly efficient process ensures the rapid propagation of bacterial populations under favorable conditions and involves coordinated cellular and molecular events.DNA Replication and SeparationThe process begins with the replication of the bacterial chromosome. The circular DNA molecule unwinds at a specific origin of...
3.2K
01:01Production Efficiency
18.4K
Net production efficiency (NPE) is the efficiency at which organisms assimilate energy into biomass for the next trophic level. Due to low metabolic rates and less energy spent on thermoregulatory processes, the NPE of ectotherms (cold-blooded animals) is 10 times higher than endotherms (warm-blooded animals).
18.4K
00:46Trophic Efficiency
25.2K
Trophic level transfer efficiency (TLTE) is a measure of the total energy transfer from one trophic level to the next. Due to extensive energy loss as metabolic heat, an average of only 10% of the original energy obtained is passed on to the next level. This pattern of energy loss severely limits the possible number of trophic levels in a food chain.
25.2K
01:16Efficiency of The Carnot Cycle
3.7K
The hypothetical Carnot cycle consists of an ideal gas subjected to two isothermal and two adiabatic processes. Since the internal energy of an ideal gas depends only on its temperature, which is the same before and after the completion of the Carnot cycle, there is no change in its internal energy. Hence, using the first law of thermodynamics, the total heat exchanged by the ideal gas equals the total work done. Thus, we can quantify the efficiency of the Carnot cycle via the heat exchanged...
3.7K