Using Light Power Technology To Make Solar Energy More Sustainable

An international team of scientists has identified a new process using coordination materials that can accelerate the use of low-cost, abundant materials on earth that may change the energy sector by replacing silicon-based solar panels.

A team led by colleagues from Newcastle University and Uppsala University in Sweden and Federico II University in Naples, Italy published their results in the Chem magazine. They used a tetradentate ligand (a ligand that binds four donor atoms). ) Developed a dynamic dimer copper complex. These new copper systems provide a new combination of fast charge transport with an unprecedented two-electron redox mechanism while inhibiting carrier recombination after disproportionation.

The dynamic dimer system represents a new generation of high-efficiency redox media for molecular devices. It can help power photovoltaic equipment with minimal voltage loss, and has a relatively low recombination energy and recombination rate.

Research co-leader, Dr. Marina Freitag of Newcastle University’s School of Natural and Environmental Sciences said: “Most of the progress made in the goal of using low-cost and abundant materials comes from improving light-absorbing materials. The problem of charge transfer still exists. This is widely adopted. This is an obstacle to solar technology, and this is the challenge that we are researching to solve."

Research co-leader, Professor Ana Belén Muñoz-Garcia of the Federico II University of Naples, said: “This work proves that basic research that combines experiment and theory can provide a solid foundation for optimizing materials and interfaces for renewable energy technologies. The scientific foundation has a real impact on energy technology. Society"