Researchers make 3D solar cell around an optical fibre
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have made a three-dimensional photovoltaic cell around an optical fibre.
The conversion structure is dye-sensitised and is based on coated zinc oxide structures grown on the fibre.
“Using this technology, we can make photovoltaic generators that are foldable, concealed and mobile,” said Professor Zhong Lin Wang. “Optical fibre could conduct sunlight into a building’s walls where the nanostructures would convert it to electricity. This is truly a three dimensional solar cell.”
The fibre, with cladding removed, is covered with a conductive layer and seeded with ZnO.
Aligned zinc nanowires are then grown around the fibre from solution, making something that looks like a bottle brush.
The wires are coated with appropriate dye, and then immersed in a liquid electrolyte to complete the circuit.
Efficiency of 3.3% is claimed.
“In each reflection within the fibre, the light has the opportunity to interact with the nanostructures that are coated with the dye molecules,” Wang explained. “You have multiple light reflections within the fibre, and multiple reflections within the nanostructures. These interactions increase the likelihood that the light will interact with the dye molecules, and that increases the efficiency.”
Wang and his research team, which includes Benjamin Weintraub and Yaguang Wei, have produced photo-generators on optical fibre up to 20cm long.
“The longer the better,” said Wang, “because the longer the light can travel along the fibre, the more bounces it will make and more it will be absorbed.”
Improvements including a better method for collecting charges and a titanium oxide surface coating could increase efficiency to 7-8%, said the University.
Wang is also looking at replacing the traditional quartz optical fibre with cheaper polymer fibre.
Georgia Tech Regents professor Zhong Lin Wang holds a prototype three-dimensional solar cell that could allow PV systems to be located away from rooftops.
Tags:
3D, dye-sensitised, fibre, Georgia Institute of Technology, optical fibre, researchers, solar cell
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