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Article

Title: Nanowires Used to Push Solar Efficiency

Author: Greenwood, Michael A
Source: Photonics Spectra, v42 n6 p84(1) Publication Date: Jun 2008
  ISSN: 0731-1230
URL of Publication: http://www.photonics.com

The design of solar cells affects the efficient transformation of sunlight into usable electrical energy. Polymers are relatively inexpensive, and thus have been examined widely for use in solar cells. Poly(3-hexylthiophene) appears to be the most promising, as solar cells manufactured from it have achieved power conversion efficiencies of 3 to 5 percent. A blend of nanowires made from poly(3-butylthiophene) has shown results that nearly rival the leading polymer. University of Washington investigators led by Samson A. Jenekhe used a transmission electron microscope from Phillips and Veeco Instruments atomic force microscope to study the 3-D interconnected network formed by the nanowires. Thin-film nanowire photovoltaic cells 10 mm squared in size and 80 nm thick were tested in air and under 100-mW/cm squared of simulated sunlight. The poly(3-butylthiophene)-based cells power conversion efficiency was 2.2 percent, which signaled a performance gain enabled by the nanowire network. A separate poly(3-butylthiophene) nanowire-based cell made with 6,6-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester achieved an even higher efficiency of 3 percent. According to the University of Washington team, poly(3-butylthiophene) nanowires may potentially provide manufacturers with additional material options for solar cells.

Companies:
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV University of Washington (UW)
Veeco Instruments Inc

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