scholarly journals TiO2/graphene/CuSbS2 mixed-dimensional array with high-performance photoelectrochemical properties

RSC Advances ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (58) ◽  
pp. 33747-33754
Author(s):  
Qianyuan Chen ◽  
Zhongchi Wang ◽  
Keqiang Chen ◽  
Qiang Fu ◽  
Yueli Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Solar Energy Conversion ◽  
Photoelectrochemical Properties ◽  
Dimensional Array ◽  
Novel Materials

The growing demands for reproducible and clean sources of power has prompted the exploitation of novel materials for solar-energy conversion; in any case, the improvement of their conversion efficiency remains a big challenge.

Porphyrin-modified electrodes for solar energy conversion

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1063-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Imahori ◽  
Tomokazu Umeyama
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Power Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Modified Electrodes ◽  
Solar Energy Conversion ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Photoelectrochemical Properties ◽  
Photocurrent Generation

This mini review presents our recent developments in porphyrin-modified electrodes for solar energy conversion. Various porphyrins have been assembled on nanostructured semiconducting electrodes to achieve efficient photocurrent generation. First, porphyrins have been organized with fullerenes onto semiconducting electrodes to elucidate the relationship between the molecular structures, film structures, and photoelectrochemical properties of the modified electrodes. Formation of hole and electron-transporting highways in the porphyrin/fullerene composite film led to the remarkable enhancement of photocurrent generation. Second, porphyrin-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes have also been assembled onto semiconducting electrodes. The degree of chemical functionalization by the bulky porphyrins was found to have a large impact on the photoelectrochemical properties. Third, asymmetrically π-elongated porphyrins have been successfully employed in dye-sensitized solar cells to improve the cell performance as well as the light-harvesting properties. The power conversion efficiency of the fused porphyrin cell was improved by 50% compared to the reference cell using the corresponding unfused porphyrin. Finally, carboxyquinoxalino derivatives of zinc porphyrin have been further developed to extend the concept of asymmetrically π-elongated porphyrins. The maximum power conversion efficiency of 5.2% was obtained by using 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-6′-carboxyquinoxalino[2,3-b]porphyrinatozinc(II).

scholarly journals Nanofluid Development Using Silver Nanoparticles and Organic-Luminescent Molecules for Solar-Thermal and Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermal Applications

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Walshe ◽  
Pauraic Mc Carron ◽  
Conor McLoughlin ◽  
Sarah McCormack ◽  
John Doran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Ag Nanoparticles ◽  
Base Fluid ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solar Spectrum ◽  
Solar Energy Conversion ◽  
Spectral Window ◽  
High Heat Transfer

Exploiting solar energy using photo-thermal (PT) and/or hybridised photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) systems can represent a viable alternative to the growing demand for renewable energy. For large-scale implementation, such systems require thermal fluids able to enhance the combined conversion efficiency achievable by controlling the ‘thermal’ and ‘electrical’ components of the solar spectrum. Nanofluids are typically employed for these purposes and they should exhibit high heat-transfer capabilities and optical properties tuned towards the peak performance spectral window of the photovoltaic (PV) component. In this work, novel nanofluids, composed of highly luminescent organic molecules and Ag nanoparticles dispersed within a base fluid, were tested for PT and PVT applications. These nanofluids were designed to mimic the behaviour of luminescent down-shifting molecules while offering enhanced thermo-physical characteristics over the host base fluid. The nanofluids’ conversion efficiency was evaluated under a standard AM1.5G weighted solar spectrum. The results revealed that the Ag nanoparticles’ inclusion in the composite fluid has the potential to improve the total solar energy conversion. The nanoparticles’ presence minimizes the losses in the electrical power component of the PVT systems as the thermal conversion increases. The enhanced performances recorded suggest that these nanofluids could represent suitable candidates for solar energy conversion applications.

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