Nanoscale Solar Cell Configuration
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsJeffrey C. Grossman, Alexander K. Zettl
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Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to an optimized structure for an exciton-based photovoltaic cell, in which the bulk heterojunction between the electron donor (typically an organic polymeric semiconductor) and an electron acceptor (e.g., silicon or titanium or titania) minimizes the necessary exciton travel distance to the heterojunction in three dimensions. The configuration is arrayed in three dimensions, such that one member of the heterojunction pair, such as the electron acceptor is in the form of a number of nanoscale channels, extending to an electrode. The channels extend through a photovoltaic matrix material in a predetermined three-dimensional configuration.
Claims32
An excitonic solar cell having heterojunction between donor and acceptor semiconductor materials, wherein one semiconductor material is in the form of a matrix material and the other semiconductor material is in the form of a nanoscate channel material contacting an electrode, wherein:
- said nanoscale channel material extends through the matrix material as separated channel elongated structures along three dimensions, termed an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis, to minimize diffusion distance to a channel elongated structure of a member of an exciton pair formed in the matrix material by incoming light.
A method of making an excitonic solar cell comprising channel members, comprising:
- aligning the channel members by applying to a fluid composition of the channel members an external electromagnetic field which orients the channel members in a defined direction;
- and
- solidifying the fluid composition to fix the channel members in the defined direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.