INNOVASOL · Innovative Materials for Future Generation Excitonic Solar Cells

INNOVASOL aims to develop radically new nanostructured materials for photovoltaic (PV) excitonic solar cells (XSCs) really competitive with traditional energy sources. The main objective is to leapfrog current limitations of third-generation PV devices through a drastic improvement of the materials used for assembling XSCs. The first step is the substitution of the liquid electrolytes, currently used in dye-sensitised solar cells, with solid-state hole conductors. In parallel, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) with tuned band gap, designed to enhance the photon capture efficiency, will replace the organic dyes as light absorbers. A striking improvement is expected from multi exciton generation (MEG) effects, overcoming the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit of 31% for the PV conversion. In a second step, highly innovative QDs will be designed and synthesized: the QDs will be covered by self-assembled monolayers of amphiphilic dye molecules, mimicking the photosynthetic antenna system. The dye molecules will act as molecular relays (MRs), which connect the QDs to the transparent conductive oxide (TCO). Novel TCO architectures will be developed for efficient interface energy transfer and electron diffusion. Six academic institutions guarantee an interdisciplinary research, based on top level theoretical and experimental approaches. The high degree of knowledge of solid-state physics and chemistry, nanoscience and nanotechnology of the researchers assures that the new concepts and the objectives proposed will be successfully developed/pursued. Fiat research center and Solaronix, a SME leader in the XSCs production, will provide proof-of-concept prototypes to validate the innovative materials developed by the academic partners. Materials and technological solutions of INNOVASOL are original and will pave the way for future generation XSCs alternative to devices so far developed both inside and outside Europe.