Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Whispheronic Solar Cells: Whispering-gallery Mode Assisted Enhancement in the Power Conversion Efficiency of DSSC And QDSSC Devices Using Tio2 Microsphere Photoanodes
Categories for this Invention
Category- Photovoltaics and Advanced Solar Energy Systems
Applications– Solar Energy Generation, Large-scale Photovoltaic Installations
Industry – Renewable Energy
Market- Global photovoltaic (PV) market is estimated to reach USD 155.5 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 10%.
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Problem Statement
- Developments in sensitized solar cells (SSCs) require a deeper understanding of how to enhance TiO2 photoanodes’ morphology for effective light scattering, aiming to improve power conversion efficiency (PCE).
- Overcoming the energy loss due to charge recombination at nanoparticle boundaries within the TiO2 photoanodes is a critical challenge, demanding strategies to enhance charge transfer ability and maintain high carrier mobility and lifetime.
- However, incorporating plasmonic nanoparticles as light scattering sources in TiO2 microstructures holds promise, but the challenge lies in systematically optimizing their composition and arrangement to consistently achieve PCE above 8%, particularly in single-junction polymer solar cells.
Technology
- The specification reveals the presence of whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) in TiO2 smooth microspheres, acting as dielectric resonators with multiple total internal reflections.
- A comparative study includes porous fibrous microspheres (FμS-TiO2) and their composites. Unlike SμS-TiO2, FμS-TiO2 and its composites do not act as spherical optical resonators due to their fibrous microstructure.
- Devices utilizing SμS-TiO2 demonstrate enhanced PCE in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) and Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells (QDSSC). The improved efficiency is attributed to the efficient light absorption facilitated by WGMs, resulting in a PCE increase of approximately 24% in DSSC and 80-95% in QDSSC devices.
- A composite photoanode, combining SμS-TiO2 and P25-TiO2 in an 80:20 wt.% ratio, exhibits better electrical connectivity between microspheres. This configuration creates a continuous path for the transport of charge carriers, further enhancing the PCE in solar cell devices.
Key Features / Value Proposition
WGM-Enhanced TiO2 Microspheres:
- Mesoporous TiO2 microspheres with Whispering Gallery Modes (WGMs) boost light absorption, enabling superior performance in solar cells.
Optimal Composite Structure:
- A composite of TiO2 microspheres and nanocrystalline P25-TiO2 at an 80:20 ratio maximizes power conversion efficiency in large-area sensitized solar cells.
Radiative Energy Transfer:
- WGMs induce resonant scattering, leading to efficient radiative energy transfer and enhanced performance in diverse solar cell devices.
 Innovative “Whispheronic Solar Cells”:
- Introducing a novel solar cell concept, “Whispheronic Solar Cells,” leveraging WGMs for improved power conversion and design versatility.
Consistent Sensitizer Performance:
- WGM effectiveness is demonstrated across various sensitizers, ensuring reliable performance in photoanode configurations with N719 dye, CdSe QDs, and CuInS2 QDs.
Market Potential for Advanced Solar Technology:
- The “whispheronic solar cells” concept presents a market-ready solution with enhanced efficiency, adaptable design, and application potential in the evolving landscape of advanced solar cell technologies.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact For Licensing
sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in
ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in
Research Lab
Prof. Sudakar chandran
Department. of Physics
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF Ref. 1628
- IN 381976 – Patent Granted
Technology Readiness Level
TRL – 4
Technology validated in lab scale.