NANOMAX: Nano-crystalline dye sensitised solar cells having maximum performance

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 01.0268-2

Key words (English)

Economic Aspects; Energy Saving; Renewable Sources of Energy

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: NNE5-2001-00192

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.4b.1 Cleaner energy systems, including renewables

Short description (English)

See abstract

Abstract (English)

The last years work on dye sensitised solar cells (DSC) has been restricted to the optimisation of cells with a standard photoelectrode design, i.e. a single sensitising dye adsorbed on nano-crystalline titanium dioxide. Although great progress has been made in terms of stability, in large part due to work on electrolyte composition and sealing, no progress has been made in efficiency. The proposed project will drastically break with this practice. Recent announcements in literature call for imagination and exploration of new innovative ideas.

New concepts, both for cell design and materials, are necessary to boost the efficiency from present 7-8% to 15% in the future. In particular, large numbers of test cells with thinner and multiple layer structures will be produced. Nano-crystallineoxides with reduced electron recombination properties will be prepared and surface selective as well as NIR-enhanced sensitising dyes will be applied. The project will provide the basis required for a breakthrough of the DSC technology in terms of costs per watt peak and long-term stability.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 01.0268-2