ceas reu project 4
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CEAS REU Project 4
Nathan Duderstadt, Chemical Engineering, University of CincinnatiStoney Sutton, Electrical Engineering, University of CincinnatiKate Yoshino, Engineering Physics, Taylor University
Dr. Vikram Kuppa and Ms. Yan Jin
Synthesis of Solar Cell Materials, and Fabrication of Novel Polymer-Based Solar Cells
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Introduction
Why solar cells?
Why ORGANIC solar cells?
What is graphene and what role does it play?
3Background Literature Review
Solar Radiatio
n
Charge Generation
Electric Current
Charge Transport
to Electrodes
In a semiconductor, the energy from the sun both moves the electron to an excited state, but also creates a hole (positive charge) in its place.
ehHighest OccupiedMolecular Orbital
Lowest UnoccupiedMolecular Orbital
Animation and concepts adapted from Dr. Vikram Kuppa’s presentation on organic photovoltaics
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Picture from: Deibel, Carsten, and Vladimir Dyakonov. (2010). " Polymer–fullerene Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells.." Vol. 73.9, pp. 1-39.
Organic Photovoltaic Devices
The problem with semiconductors in solar cell applications is separating these particles and TRANSFERING them to their electrodes.
In order to accomplish this, we use two material, like seen to the right.
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Cell Structure
Aluminum (Cathode)
Lithium Fluoride
Active Layer (P3HT:F8BT:Graphene)
PEDOT:PSS
Indium Tin Oxide (Anode)
Glass Slide
The thickness of the cell is approximately without the glass slide is approximately 500 nm in thickness.
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Cell Structure
Aluminum (Cathode)
Indium Tin Oxide (Anode)
Active layer
Glass Slide
Solar Cell
7Project GoalDetermine how graphene makes solar cells more efficient
Learn the basics of Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) research
Gain expertise in making and characterizing OPV cells
Understand methods of fabricating graphene from graphite
Incorporate graphene in OPV cells
Differentiate between processing techniques and their influence on the solar cell
Evaluate graphene content on cell performance
Project Objectives
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Tasks1. Learn methods for making graphene solutions
and fabricating solar cell devices
2. Prepare and analyze graphene solutions for use in solar cell polymers
3. Fabricate solar cell devices and perform thermal treatment
4. Characterize the cell through various testing
5. Conduct morphology and conductivity studies on the polymer films with different graphene concentrations
6. Report writing and presentations
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Timeline
Task1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Training: Make Graphene Solution, Fabricate Solar
Cell
Graphene Solutions: Prepare, Characterize,
and Blend
Polymer Films: Make and Anneal Polymer Layers, Add to Cells
Solar Cell Testing: Cell Efficiency for Varying
Graphene Concentrations
Work on Deliverables: Paper, Presentation,
Poster
Week
10Research Training Received
Lab Safety Training
Making Graphene Solutions
UV Spectrophotometer Blending P3HT and Graphene
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Atomic Force Microscope
Research Training ReceivedSpin Coating Procedure
Transmission Electron
Microscope
Performance Testing
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Progress MadeTraining is mostly
complete!
Created first set of cells (during training)
Tested first set of cells
Currently processing data
Started beginning processes of creating second batch with varying concentrations
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Questions?
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