Making solar energy even more sustainable with light-powered technology


Date:
November 16, 2021
Source:
Newcastle University
Summary:
Scientists have identified a new process using coordination
materials that can accelerate the use of low-cost, Earth-abundant
materials with the potential to transform the energy sector by
replacing silicone-based solar panels.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Technology using a new generation of hybrid solar cells is one step
closer to mass-production, thanks to Newcastle University-led research.


==========================================================================
An international team of scientists have identified a new process
using coordination materials that can accelerate the use of low-cost, Earth-abundant materials with the potential to transform the energy
sector by replacing silicone-based solar panels.

Publishing their results in the journal Chem, the team, led by Newcastle University and colleagues from Uppsala University in Sweden and University
of Naples Federico II, Italy, developed dynamic dimeric copper complexes
using tetradentate ligands (the ligands that bind four donor atoms). These
new copper systems offer a novel combination of fast charge transport in
an unprecedented two-electron redox mechanism while inhibiting carrier recombination after disproportionation.

The dynamic dimer system represents a new generation of efficient redox mediators for molecular devices. It can help power photovoltaic devices
with minimal voltage losses, with comparably low reorganization energies
and recombination rates.

Study co-lead, Dr Marina Freitag, from Newcastle University's School
of Natural and Environmental Sciences, said: "The majority of progress
toward the goal of using low-cost and abundant materials has come from improving light-absorbing materials. Charge transfer issues remain a
barrier to widespread adoption of this solar technology, and this is the challenge that our research addresses." Study co-lead, Prof Ana Bele'n Mun~oz-Garcia, from University of Naples Federico II, said "This work
proves that fundamental research combining experiments and theory can
provide solid scientific grounds to optimize materials and interfaces
for renewable energy technologies with real impact on the society" ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Newcastle_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Iacopo Benesperi, Hannes Michaels, Tomas Edvinsson, Michele Pavone,
Michael R. Probert, Paul Waddell, Ana Bele'n Mun~oz-Garci'a, Marina
Freitag. Dynamic dimer copper coordination redox shuttles. Chem,
2021; DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.10.017 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211116131736.htm

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