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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
131

Simulation, synthesis, sunlight : enhancing electronic transport in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Sivaram, Varun January 2014 (has links)
The solid-state dye sensitized solar cell (SDSC) is an emerging photovoltaic technology which promises inexpensive materials, roll-to-roll processing, and a stable architecture. In this thesis, I seek to enhance electronic transport in order to enable thicker devices and yield higher power conversion efficiencies. I adopt a multipronged approach to advance three aims, employing analytical, computational, and experimental methodologies. First, I generalize existing models of the dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) to allow simple parameter fitting of real devices and to account for previously ignored electronic processes. In Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 I present a nondimensional model capable of fitting real devices and simulating transient behavior without extensive material knowledge. Subsequently in Chapter 5, I introduce a novel three-dimensional model which incorporates electronic drift. Second, in Chapter 4 I critically assess a widespread method of measuring the charge collection efficiency, the summary metric that describes the efficacy of charge transport in the SDSC. I discover that the conventional method is inaccurate for values of the collection efficiency below 90% because of large experimental error and an intrinsic inaccuracy in applying a transient method to measure a steady-state parameter. Third, I aim to increase the rate of charge transport by employing new materials and nanostructures in the place of conventional nanocrystalline TiO2. In Chapter 5, I present evidence of faster transport and enhanced efficiency in flexible SnO2 nanowire SDSCs, ZnO nanowire SDSCs, and the first viable SnO2/P3HT SDSC, where photoanode and hole transporter have been replaced with higher mobility materials. Finally, in Chapter 6, I investigate use of TiO2 mesoporous single crystals (MSCs) with high surface area and extended crystallinity. After demonstrating the viability of MSCs in SDSCs, I examine enhanced transport caused by the background doping effect of thermal treatment. Together, the progress achieved toward diverse and ambitious goals advances the field and delineates routes to future progress for SDSC development.
132

Synthèse et étude de chromophores organométalliques pour cellules solaires hybrides à colorant et à hétérojonction volumique / Synthesis and study of organometallic chromophores for hybrid dye-sensitized and bulk-heterojunction solar cells

Bertrand, Camille 18 December 2018 (has links)
La production durable d’énergie et la recherche d’alternatives aux sources non renouvelables font l’objet d’un grand intérêt à l’heure actuelle. Le principal objectif de cette thèse était de synthétiser et étudier de nouveaux complexes organométalliques à base de Ru-acétylure, puis évaluer leurs propriétés photovoltaïques dans des cellules solaires hybrides à colorant et organique à hétérojonction volumique. Des complexes bimétalliques dissymétriques ont été développés afin d’obtenir des chromophores à absorption panchromatique, en bénéficiant d’une structure « push-pull » et du motif [Ru(dppe)2] comme excellent relai d’électron. En parallèle des complexes symétriques à un ou deux centres métalliques ont été développés, ceux-ci ont ensuite été intégrés à des cellules solaires organiques à hétérojonction volumique. Lors de cette étude, chaque dispositif a fait l’objet de différentes étapes d’optimisations dans le but d’améliorer les transferts de charges en améliorant la morphologie de la couche active. Les principales méthodes d’optimisations appliquées ont consisté à réaliser des traitements par « solvent vapor annealing », ajouter des additifs structurants et utiliser le colorant dans une matrice polymère dans un dispositif à mélange ternaire. / Today the sustainable energy production and research for alternatives to non-renewable sources attract a lot of interest. The aim of this PhD research was to synthetize and study new organometallic complexes Ru-diacetylide based, then to characterize their photovoltaic properties in hybrid dye-sensitized and organic bulk-heterojunction solar cells. To obtain panchromatic chromophores, asymmetric bimetallic complexes have been designed using [Ru(dppe)2] unit as excellent electron relay in a “push-pull” structure. In parallel, symmetric complexes have been developed with one or two metallic centres, and then they have been integrated to organic bulk-heterojunction solar cells. For this study, each device has been optimized through different steps, in order to improve charges transfers by improving morphology of the active layer. The main methods of optimization applied consisted of application of “solvent vapor annealing” treatment, addition of structure additives and addition of the dye in polymer matrix, in ternary molecules blend device.
133

Indigenous natural dyes for Gratzel solar cells : Sepia melanin

Mbonyiryivuze, Agnes 11 1900 (has links)
Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC), also known as Grätzel cells, have been identified as a cost-effective, easy-to-manufacture alternative to conventional solar cells. While mimicking natural photosynthesis, they are currently the most efficient third-generation solar technology available. Among others, their cost is dominated by the synthetic dye which consists of efficient Ruthenium based complexes due to their high and wide spectral absorbance. However, the severe toxicity, sophisticated preparation techniques as well as the elevated total cost of the sensitizing dye is of concern. Consequently, the current global trend in the field focuses on the exploitation of alternative organic dyes such as natural dyes which have been studied intensively. The main attractive features of natural dyes are their availability, environmental friendly, less toxicity, less polluting and low in cost. This contribution reports on the possibility of using sepia melanin dye for such DSSC application in replacement of standard costly ruthenium dyes. The sepia melanin polymer has interesting properties such as a considerable spectral absorbance width due to the high degree of conjugation of the molecule. This polymer is capable of absorbing light quantum, both at low and high energies ranging from the infrared to the UV region. The comprehensive literature survey on Grätzel solar cells, its operating principle, as well as its sensitization by natural dyes focusing on sepia melanin has been provided in this master’s dissertation. The obtained results in investigating the morphology, chemical composition, crystalline structure as well as optical properties of sepia melanin samples using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy x-ray diffraction, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy as well as Photoluminescence (PL) for Grätzel solar cell application have been reported. These results represent an important step forward in defining the structure of melanin. The results clearly show that sepia melanin can be used as natural dye to DSSC sensitization. It is promising for the realization of high cell performance, low-cost production, and non-toxicity. It should be emphasized here that natural dyes from food are better for human health than synthetic dyes. / Physics / 1 online resource (xii, 101 leaves) : illustrations / M. Sc. (Physics)
134

Development of new highly conjugated molecules and their application in the field of renewable energy and biomaterials / Développement de nouvelles molécules hautement conjuguées et leurs applications dans le domaine des énergies renouvelables et des biomatériaux

Bessi, Matteo 06 December 2018 (has links)
Ces dernières années, les matériaux fonctionnels hybrides ont commencé à être employés pour des applications de la haute technologie, allant des senseurs bio/médicaux, à la production d’énergie renouvelable. Pour cette raison, ils sont devenus le centre de plusieurs études dans le domaine des sciences des matériaux. Simultanément, des molécules conjuguées ont été examinée intensément à cause de leurs propriétés venant de leurs longs systèmes π, allant de la possibilité de conduire l’électricité, à leur capacité d’absorber la lumière dans une grande fenêtre spectrale. Le travail de cette thèse se concentre sur l’introduction de tels systèmes dans deux sortes de matériaux hybrides, les dispositifs photovoltaïques pour la production d’électricité (en particuliers les cellules solaires à pigment photosensible) et de carburants alternatifs (hydrogène), et pour les hydrogels biocompatibles sensibles aux stimuli (capables de conduire l’électricité et de réagir sous irradiation), et sur l’étude de leur influence sur les caractéristiques du matériau final. / In recent years hybrid functional materials began to be employed in a series of technologically advanced applications spanning from bio/medical sensors, to renewable energy generation. For this reason, they became the focus of several studies in the field of materials science. At the same time, conjugated molecules have also been intensively investigated, due to the properties arising by the presence of long π-conjugated systems, from the possibility to conduct electricity to the ability to absorb light in a wide range of wavelengths. This PhD work focused on the introduction of such systems in two different kinds of hybrid materials, namely photovoltaic devices for the production of electricity (in particular Dye Sensitzed Solar Cells) and alternative fuels (hydrogen), and biocompatible stimuli-responsive hydrogels (capable to conduct electricity and to react upon irradiation), and on the study of their influence on the characteristics of the final material.
135

Nanoparticules à base d'oxyde de titane par pyrolyse laser : synthèse, proprietés et application au photovotaïque / Nanoparticles based on titanium oxide by laser pyrolysis : synthesis, properties and photovoltaic application

Wang, Jin 02 October 2014 (has links)
Ce travail concerne le domaine des cellules solaires sensibilisé à colorant à l’état solide et plus particulièrement le développement de nouvelles électrodes poreuses de TiO2 à base de nanocristaux synthétisés par pyrolyse laser. Deux types de poudres à base de TiO2 ont été synthétisés : TiO2 dopé à l’azote avec une teneur en azote contrôlée et des nanocomposites TiO2/MWNTC (Multi Wall Carbon Nanotubes). Dans le premier cas, le rendement des cellules élaborées varie en fonction de la teneur en N dans la poudre, cet effet étant relié à la localisation des atomes d’azote au sein du TiO2. Le dopage conduit à une augmentation du taux de recombinaison des charges. Cet effet limitant pour les performances, est partiellement compensé par une augmentation de la conductivité électrique avec le taux d’azote. Pour des taux de dopage modérés, les rendements des cellules sont ainsi sensiblement améliorés par rapport aux cellules à base de TiO2 non dopé. Concernant les nanocomposites TiO2/MWNTC, la synthèse par pyrolyse en une étape à partir d’une suspension contenant des MWCNT conduit à une dispersion très homogène des nanotubes au sein de la poudre de TiO2. La méthode favorise de plus l’enrobage des nanotubes par les particules d’oxyde, conduisant à des interactions électroniques efficaces. Les cellules solaires élaborées à partir de ce composite présentent des rendements améliorés de près de 20% par rapport aux cellules de référence. Cette amélioration est principalement attribuée à un drainage des charges photo-générées vers les électrodes favorisé en présence des nanotubes qui s’accompagne d’une réduction sensible des phénomènes de recombinaison. / This work is related to the development of new TiO2 porous photo-electrodes based on nanopowders synthesized by laser pyrolysis for application in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. Two different types of TiO2 powders were synthesized: TiO2 nanoparticles doped with different levels of nitrogen, and TiO2/MWNTC (Multi Wall Carbon Nanotubes) nanocomposites. In the first case, the efficiency of the solar cells is dependent on the nitrogen amount in the powder, in relation with the localization of the dopants in the TiO2 structure. High nitrogen contents are associated with high defect densities at the TiO2 nanoparticle surface, leading to intense charge recombination. Although this effect limits the performance of the cells, it can be counterbalanced by an increased electrical conductivity due to the presence of N atoms. Finally, for moderate doping levels, the incorporation of nitrogen can improve the efficiency of the cells, compared to reference devices. Regarding the use of TiO2/MWNTC nanocomposites, the one step synthesis by laser pyrolysis from a precursor mixture including MWNTC leads to nanopowders where nanotubes appear very homogeneous dispersed of. The nanotubes are also highly coated with TiO2 particles, improving their electrical interactions with the TiO2 particles. The efficiencies of the solar cells made from such composites are found to be 20% larger than that of reference cells. This improvement is mainly attributed to faster charge collection and reduced charge recombination rates.
136

Organized Organic Dye / Hole Transporting Materials for TiO2- and ZnO- based Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (s-DSSCs). / Matériaux transporteurs de trous et colorants organiques organisés por les cellules solaires solides à colorants (s-DSSCs) à base de TiO2 et de ZnO

Delices, Annette 29 September 2017 (has links)
En raison des problèmes d'instabilité à moyen termes des cellules solaires à colorant (DSSC), l'électrolyte liquide à base d'iodure a été remplacé par plusieurs types de matériaux solides transport de trous (HTM) pour obtenir des DSSCs à l'état solide (s-DSSCs). Parmi ces matériaux, l’utilisation des polymères conducteurs(PC) a attiré une attention considérable en raison de leur bonne stabilité, de leur haute conductivité et de la facilité de leur dépôt sur le semi-conducteur mésoporeux TiO2. Dans ce travail de thèse, plusieurs s-DSSCs basées sur des PC utilisés comme HTM ont été développés dans le but d'améliorer leurs performances photovoltaïques en tenant compte des deux objectifs suivants: (i) l'optimisation des processus de transfert inter facial de charge dans la cellule solaire, et (ii) l'optimisation du transport de charge dans le semi-conducteur d'oxyde de type n. Pour atteindre ces objectifs, chaque composant de la s-DSSC a été modifié afin d'étudier son effet sur les performances du dispositif final. En première tentative, une étude analytique est réalisée en faisant varier le sensibilisateur afin de déterminer les fragments de la structure du colorant, qui ont un effet important sur le processus de photopolymérization électrochimique in-situ (PEP) à la fois en milieu organique et en milieu aqueux mais aussi sur les performances des s-DSSCs. Sur la base de ces résultats, un nouveau concept a été développé et consiste en la suppression totale de l'interface entre le colorant et le HTM. Ceci est obtenu par la synthèse de nouveaux colorants liés de façon covalente à un monomère électroactif qui est co-polymérisé par la PEP in-situ. Le copolymère résultant, utilisé comme HTM, est lié de manière covalente au colorant. En outre, la nature de la liaison chimique, reliant le résidu triphénylamine TPA au monomère, est également étudiée comme un facteur clé dans les performances de s-DSSC. En outre, et pour optimiser les processus de transport de charges dans ce type de s-DSSC, de nouvelles s-DSSC basées sur ZnO ont été réalisées et étudiées. / Due to instability problems of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) in longtime uses, the iodine based liquidelectrolyte has been replaced by several types of solid hole transporting materials (HTM) to perform solidstate DSSCs (s-DSSCs). Among them, the substitution by conducting polymers (CP) has attractedconsiderable attention because of their good stability, high hole-conductivity and simple deposition withinthe mesoporous TiO2 semiconductor. In this thesis work, several s-DSSCs based on CPs used as HTM havebeen developed in order to improve their photovoltaic performances taking into account the following twoobjectives: (i) the optimization of the interfacial charge transfer processes within the solar cell, and (ii) theoptimization of the charge transport within the n-type oxide semiconductor. To reach these goals, eachcomponent that constitutes the device was varied in order to investigate its effect on the device’sperformances. As first attempt, an analytical study is carried out by varying the sensitizer in order todetermine the fragments of the dyes structures, that have an important effect on the in-situ photoelectrochemical polymerization process (PEP) both in organic and in aqueous media and hence on theperformances of the s-DSSCs. Based on these results, a new concept of removing completely the interfacebetween the dye and the HTM is developed. This is achieved by the synthesis of new dyes covalently linkedto an electroactive monomer which is co-polymerized by in-situ PEP. The resulting co-polymer, used asHTM, is covalently linked to the dye. In addition, the nature of the chemical bond linking the triphenylamineresidue TPA to the monomer is also investigated as a key factor in the s-DSSCs performances. Besides, andto optimize the charge transport processes within this type of s-DSSC, the elaboration of novel ZnO baseds-DSSCs has been achieved and investigated.
137

Design and bottom-up fabrication of nanostructured photonic / plasmonic materials / Conception et fabrication par voie ascendante de matériaux photoniques et plasmoniques nanostructurés

Zheng, Hanbin 24 November 2014 (has links)
L’auto-assemblage de particules colloïdales est une technique polyvalente qui permet la fabrication de cristaux colloïdaux à de grandes échelles. Le but de notre étude est de développer des processus fiables et reproductibles pour fabriquer des matériaux photoniques et plasmoniques pouvant être incorporés au sein de différents dispositifs.Des opales inverses en dioxyde de titane composées d’un nombre précis de couches ont été intégrées au sein de cellules solaires à colorant «tout solide», ce qui a entraîné une amélioration des performances allant jusqu'à105%. Des surfaces d'ornano structurées présentant une absorption omnidirectionnelle et totale de la lumière ont été fabriquées par dépôt électrolytique d'or à travers une monocouche de particules de polystyrène. En outre, des surfaces d'or très rugueuses présentant des propriétés anti-réfléchissantes ont également été élaborées. En modulant la taille des interstices entre les particules de polystyrène, il a été possible de fabriquer par électrodéposition séquentielle des nanopiliers d’or de différentes longueurs. Enfin, l'utilisation d'une monocouche non compacte de particules comme moule a permis la réalisation de métamatériaux de type fishnet / The bottom-up self-assembly of colloidal particles is a versatile technique that allows the fabrication of large areas of colloidal crystals. The purpose of the present study is to develop highly reliable and reproducible process routes to fabricate nanostructured photonic and plasmonic materials that can be incorporated into different devices. Titania inverse opals with precise control of the layer thickness have been successfully incorporated into solid state DSSCs which showed improved performance of up to 105 %. Nanostructured gold surfaces that exhibited omnidirectional total light absorption have been fabricated by controlled electrodeposition of gold through colloidal monolayers of polystyrenebeads. In addition, very rough gold surfaces that showed anti-reflective properties were also made. By tuning the pore size of the colloidal monolayer, plasmonic gold nanopillarswith different lengths were fabricated by a sequential electrodeposition process. Using a non close-packed monolayer of PS beadscombined with electrodeposition,fishnet metamaterialswere fabricated.
138

Hybrid cell for harvesting multiple-type energies

Xu, Chen 21 May 2012 (has links)
An abundance of energy in our environment exists in the form of light, thermal, mechanical (e.g., vibration, sonic waves, wind, and hydraulic), magnetic, chemical, and biological. Harvesting these forms of energy is of critical importance for solving long-term energy needs and the sustainable development of the planet. However, conversion cells for harvesting solar energy and mechanical energy are usually independent entities that are designed and built following distinct physical principles. The effective and complementary use of such energy resources whenever and wherever one or all of them are available demands the development of innovative approaches for the conjunctional harvesting of multiple types of energy using an integrated structure/material. By combining solar and mechanical energy-harvesting modules into a single package for higher energy conversion efficiency and a more effective energy recovery process, the research has designed and demonstrated a hybrid cell for harvesting solar and mechanical energy. The results of the research show that we can fully utilize the energy available from our living environment by developing a technology that harvests multiple forms of both solar and mechanical energy 24 hours a day. As the proposed research represents a breakthrough in the innovation of energy harvesting, it should pave the way toward building a new field called "multi-type hybrid" energy harvesting.
139

Elaboration de cellules photovoltaïques hybrides solides à base d'oxyde de zinc nanostructuré / Development of hybrid solid solar cells based on nanostructured zinc oxide

Schlur, Laurent 30 October 2012 (has links)
Cette thèse est consacrée à l’élaboration de cellules photovoltaïques hybrides solides sensibilisées à colorant, composées d’une couche dense de germes de ZnO recouverte de nanobâtonnets de ZnO sensibilisés par un colorant et infiltrés par du spiro-OMeTAD. La couche dense de germes de ZnO a été optimisée, afin qu’elle soit compacte, homogène et bien orientée. Les nanobâtonnets sont synthétisés par voie hydrothermale. L’influence de différents paramètres de synthèse sur la morphologie des nanobâtonnets a été testée. Deux méthodes permettant de modifier l’écart entre les nanobâtonnets ont également été mises au point. Les performances des cellules photovoltaïques varient en fonction de la longueur des nanobâtonnets, du colorant utilisé, de la durée de vieillissement des cellules à l’air, l’atmosphère, la température… Enfin, nous avons réussi à obtenir un rendement dépassant 1%, ce qui est supérieur à la meilleure performance publiée actuellement (0,25%) pour le même type de dispositif. / This thesis deals with solid state dye sensitized solar cells in which dye sensitized ZnO nanorods are associated with spiro-OMeTAD (solid hole conductor). Nanorods are grown on the top of a dense ZnO seed layer. The growth of a dense, homogeneous and well oriented layer is achieved after optimization of the deposition procedure. ZnO nanorods are obtained after submitting the dense ZnO layer to an hydrothermal treatment. The nanorods morphology evolution with reactants concentration, reaction temperature and time,… was determined. The solar cells performances depend also on the nanorods length, the type of dye, the cell ageing time in air, the atmosphere and the cell temperature…The best performance published nowadays (0.25%) for our type of photovoltaic devices is really inferior to the 1% efficiency we obtained.
140

Titania Nanostructures for Photocatalytic and Photovoltaic Applications

Chaudhary, Aakanksha January 2015 (has links) (PDF)
Titania has been the focus of attention for several decades owing to its chemical stability, non-toxicity, inexpensiveness and robust surface chemistry. Its technological applications include use in diverse areas such as photocatalytic reactors, antibacterial coatings, dye sensitive solar cells (DSSC) and more recently the perovskite solar cells to name a few. All of these applications are based on the ability to inject or generate electronhole pairs in titania and transport them to a suitable interface at which they are ejected to either engender a reaction as in photocatalysis or drive a load as in photovoltaics. From a technological perspective it is also important that such science be achieved and controlled in supported titania structures. The research reported in this thesis, thus, started with the development of a process for obtaining adherent titania films by oxidation of sputtered Ti films on stainless steel, a very commonly used substrate. Challenges that had to be overcome included the need to oxidize titanium to obtain the right phase mixture while preventing film cracking or delamination due to compressive stresses generated during anodic oxidation of Ti. During this process of obtaining nanostructured TiO2 through anodization, it was serendipitously discovered that planar TiO2 films obtained by oxidation of sputtered Ti films did significantly better than anodized nanoporous titania in bactericidal studies. This was then replicated in organic dye degradation studies. Analysis of the material showed that this improved performance was due to the unintentional contamination during sputtering by Cu, Zn, Mo possibly due to arcing across brass contacts. This quaternary system was then systematically explored and it was shown that an optimal metastable composition in the Ti- Cu-Mo oxide ternary system performs the best. DFT studies showed that this was due to introduction of shallow and deep states in the band gap that, depending on the level of dopants, either enhances carrier lifetimes or leads to recombination. In continuation of this work on supported titania structures by oxidation of Ti, a novel photoanode for use in dye sensitized photovoltaics was developed by oxidation of Ti foam. This results in an interconnected 3-D network of TiO2 that possess at its core a network of Ti. Such architecture was designed to provide a large surface area for anchoring the sensitizer while simultaneously reducing the distance that charge carriers have to travel before reaching the ohmic contacts to prevent recombination losses. The thesis discusses the preparation of such anodes, the properties of the 3-D oxide and cells, with up to 4% efficiency, developed using such anodes. Reasons for such behaviour and avenues for further exploration to improve cell efficiency will also be discussed.

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