Thesis (M.S.)--Wisconsin. / Bibliography; leaf 79.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Johns Hopkins University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--University of Florida. / Description based on print version record. Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 185-192).

Thesis (M.S.E.C.E.)--Baylor University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 139).

The aim of this thesis was to undertake a comprehensive research to study the broadband light absorption enhancement in organic solar cells (OSCs) with different nano-structures, thereby improving short-circuit current density and efficiency. Absorption enhancement in OSCs having different photonic structures, compared to the control planar cell configuration, was analyzed and studied using the optical admittance analysis and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. After a brief overview of the latest progresses made in OSCs, the basic optical principles of light scattering, surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), diffraction effect and waveguide mode, that had been employed for light trapping in OSCs, are discussed. Optical admittance analysis reveals that light absorption in inverted OSCs, based on polymer blend layer of P3HT:PCBM, is always greater than the conventional geometry OSCs fabricated using an ITO/PEDOT:PSS anode. The inverted bulk heterojunction OSCs, made with a pair of an ultrathin Al-modified ITO front cathode and a bi-layer MoO3/Ag anode, exhibited a superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.16%, which is about 13% more efficient than a control normal OSC. It is shown that the reverse configuration allows improving charge collection at cathode/blend interface and also possessing a dawdling degradation behavior as compared to a control regular OSC in the accelerated aging test. Light absorption enhancement in ZnPc:C60-based OSCs, made with substrates having different structures, for example, surface-modified Ag nanoparticles and 1-D photonic structures, was analyzed. The effect of an ultra-thin plasma-polymerized fluorocarbon film (CFx)-modified Ag nanoparticles ii (NPs)/ITO anode on the performance of OSCs was optimized through theoretical simulation and experimental optimization. This work yielded a promising PCE of 3.5 ± 0.1%, notably higher than that with a bare ITO anode (2.7±0.1%). The work was extended to study the performance of OSCs made with CFx-modified Ag NPs/ITO/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The resulting flexible OSCs had a relatively high PCE of 3.1±0.1%, comparable to that of structurally identical OSCs fabricated on ITO-coated glass substrate (PCE of 3.5±0.1%). The distribution of the sizes of the Ag NPs, formed by the thermal evaporation, was over the range from 2.0 nm to 10 nm. The results reveal that the localized surface plasmon resonance, contributing to the broadband light absorption enhancement in the organic photoactive layer, was strongly influenced by the size of Ag NPs and the dielectric constant of the surrounding medium. A new OSC structure incorporating a transparent PMMA/ITO double layer grating electrode was also developed. 1-D PMMA/ITO double layer grating, fabricated using nano-imprinting and low processing temperature ITO sputtering method, has a period of 500 nm. Light absorption in grating OSCs under TM, TE and TM/TE hybrid polarizations was calculated using FDTD simulation in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 800 nm. We profiled the electric field distribution and analyzed the structural requirement for confining the waveguide modes in the organic photoactive layer. The effects of the periodicity and the pitch size on light scattering, simultaneous excitation of horizontally propagating SPPs, LSPR and the waveguide modes for light harvesting in grating OSCs were analyzed. The efficiency enhancement in the grating OSCs (PCE 3.29%) over the planar control device (PCE 2.86%) is primarily due to the increase in the short-circuit current density from 11.93 mA/cm2 to 13.57 mA/cm2 (13.7% enhancement). The theoretical results agree with the experimental findings in showing that the improved performance in grating OSCs is attributed to the absorption enhancement in the active layer

Submitted by Morgana Silva (morgana_linhares@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-09-23T16:07:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação.pdf: 2848624 bytes, checksum: f5075c15190584601d6a5374e1d06fd7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-23T16:07:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação.pdf: 2848624 bytes, checksum: f5075c15190584601d6a5374e1d06fd7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-22 / Brazil has as a main source for production of electricity the dams using water to drive the turbines and as a secondary source are used the thermoelectric power plants that use fuel oil for electric power production. Both generate a large environmental impact, due to the fact of the dams need huge areas for its construction, which often leads to destruction of important ecosystems in the region where it will be installed the hydroelectric plant, besides the fact that they need the rainfall cycle so that the dams have the operating capacity, while the thermoelectric power plants burn fossil fuels thus increasing emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere. An alternative to the solution of the problems mentioned above is the use of renewable sources of energy, with emphasis on this work. Solar energy can be divided into two parts: thermal and photovoltaic. This work it is focused on thermal use of solar energy, with a Fresnel-type solar concentrator to heat water, which will trigger a cooling system environment with the use of desiccant rotors. The choice of type Fresnel collector gave the field of development of this hub is still in constant growth and by the fact that even occupy a relatively small area when compared to other solar thermal concentrators, in addition to its construction be simple and low cost when again compared to other solar concentrators. / O Brasil tem como fonte principal para produção de energia elétrica as hidrelétricas que utilizam água para movimentar as turbinas e como fonte complementar são utilizadas as termoelétricas que usam óleo combustível para produção de energia elétrica. Ambas geram um grande impacto ambiental, devido ao fato das hidrelétricas necessitarem de enormes áreas para a construção das represas, o que muitas vezes acarreta na destruição de ecossistemas importantes para a região onde irá ser instalada a hidrelétrica, além do fato que elas necessitam do ciclo das chuvas para que as represas possuam capacidade de operação, enquanto que as termoelétricas queimam combustíveis fosseis, aumentando assim as emissões de CO2 para a atmosfera. Uma alternativa para a solução dos problemas citados anteriormente é a utilização de fontes renováveis de energia, dando ênfase neste trabalho a energia solar. A energia solar pode ser dividida em duas vertentes: térmica e fotovoltaica. Este trabalho está voltado para a utilização térmica da energia solar, através da utilização de um concentrador solar do tipo Fresnel para o aquecimento de água, a qual irá acionar um sistema de refrigeração de ambientes com a utilização de rotores dessecantes. A escolha do coletor do tipo Fresnel se deu pelo campo de desenvolvimento deste concentrador estar ainda em constante crescimento e pelo fato do mesmo ocupar uma área relativamente pequena quando comparado com outros concentradores solares térmicos, além de sua construção ser simples e de baixo custo quando novamente comparada a outros concentradores solares.

Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / Solar energy is still not being used effectively in countries in the developing world, though it's a partial solution to the problem of shortage and expensive energy. Normally harvested through flat plate collectors, converting solar radiation into heat is the most direct application that can be effected in water heating systems. Many researchers have attempted to develop means of improving the efficiency of the flat plate solar energy collector; however there appears to be no evidence of any work regarding the effect of geometric configuration on the performance of flat plate solar collector. This study presents results obtained when comparing the performance of a solar water heating system equipped with three manufactured flat plate solar collector panels of numerically identical surface area but of different geometric configuration as they were individually attached to a typical geyser. Data was obtained inside a laboratory. The amount of heat acquired from flat plate collectors of solar energy depends primarily on their surface area that is exposed to the solar irradiance, however, the geometry of the collectors was thought that it might affect to some extent the amount of heat harvested. The circulation of the water from the panel to the geyser was due to the self-induced thermo-syphon effect. The results obtained during the test period (7 hours per day for two consecutive days) indicated that the system’s thermal efficiency was best when the square geometrical configuration collector was used. A dimensional analysis using the Π Buckingham method that was performed on the parameters affecting a flat plate solar collector yielded three dimensionless numbers that lead to a power law relationship which might be useful in enhancing solar water heating systems’ design.

Uma simulação numérica do ciclo de refrigeração a adsorção é realizada para os pares zeólita-água e carvão ativo AC-35 metanol, justificando a escolha do par bem como do sistema de captação a serem utilizados no protótipo. O protótipo construído compreende um concentrador cilíndrico-parabólico com rastreamento solar, um tubo de calor e uma unidade frigorífica (com zeólita-água). Aspectos tecnológicos como válvulas, soldas e carregamento do par na máquina são analisados. Os resultados dos testes de desempenho são apresentados, discutidos e comparados com a literatura. Uma análise de custos é feita. Paralelamente, construímos termo pilhas pelo método da evaporação. Estas termopilhas foram utilizadas na construção do piranômetro e do pireliômetro. Os instrumentos são caracterizados em termos de sensibilidade, constante de tempo, linearidade, efeitos de temperatura e convecção natural. Os resultados desta caracterização são discutidos e comparados com um modelo fabricado pela Eppley. Finalmente, no apêndice I, testamos o desempenho de um coletor plano utilizando no absorvedor o revestimento seletivo de óxido de alumínio recentemente desenvolvido no IFQSC. As melhores condições para obtenção do revestimento seletivo em placas de grande porte são estudadas. / A numerical simulation of the adsorption refrigeration cycle was made for zeolite/water and activated carbon(AC-35)/ methanol pairs, to select the pair and the solar collector in the prototype. The fabricated prototype consists of a cylindrical paraolic concentrator with solar trackins, a heat pipe and the refrigeration unit (with the zeolite/water pair). The technical aspects of values, welds and out-gassing are analyzed. The results of the performance tests are presented, discussed and compared with the literature. An analysis of costs is made. In parallel thermopiles were constructed using the evaporation method. These thermopiles were used in the construction of the piranometer and the pirheliometer. The instruments were characterized in terms of: sensitivity, stability with time, linearity, effects of temperature and natural convenction. The results of this characterization are discussed and compared with a model made by Eppley. Finally, in Apendix I, we tested the performance of a flat plate collector using a selective coating of aluminium oxide (developed in IFQSC) as absorber. The Best conditions for obtaining the seletive coating on big size plates are discussed.

Orientador: Ana Flávia Nogueira / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T23:53:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Freitas_FlavioSantos_D.pdf: 16885434 bytes, checksum: 48b960051e69118d4e3bbf7bc096a552 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta a síntese de moléculas carboxiladas e sua utilização como agentes compatibilizantes em sistemas híbridos inorgânico/orgânico. A caracterização e aplicação das interfaces destes sistemas híbridos de dióxido de titânio com poli(3-hexiltiofeno) (TiO2/P3HT) e silício monocristalino com poli(3-hexiltiofeno) (Si/P3HT) também foram estudadas. No primeiro sistema, TiO2/P3HT, a modificação superficial do TiO2 foi efetuada com três moléculas carboxiladas: ácido 2-tiofenocarboxílico (TCA), ácido 2-tiofenoacético (TAA) e ácido 2,4-tiofenodicarboxílico (TDA). Essas modificações demostraram que a molécula TAA apresenta melhor compatibilidade na interface, evidenciada por estudos fotofísicos de Espectroscopia de Absorção Transiente (TAS) e medidas de ângulo de contato. A célula solar com TAA (configuração invertida) apresentou eficiência de 0,03%, três vezes maior que a obtida no dispositivo padrão. Com a inserção do corante N719 na superfície do TiO2, a eficiência alcançou valores superiores a 1%. A eficiência dos dispositivos chegou a 1,35% com a inserção na camada de P3HT de nanopartículas de TiO2 na forma de bastão (TiO2 NB/TAA). Essa modificação da camada polimérica mostrou que o TiO2 NB/TAA apresentou propriedades ligeiramente superiores nos experimentos de fotoeletroquímica quando comparado com nanopartículas sintetizadas no formato esférico (TiO2 NE). Além disso, a técnica de Espalhamento de Raios-X a Baixo Ângulo (SAXS) mostrou que as nanopartículas TiO2 NB/TAA e TiO2 NE encontram-se distribuídas de forma homogênea pela matriz de P3HT. No segundo sistema, as células solares de Si/P3HT foram obtidas a partir de reações que modificaram a interface dos materiais. A adsorção química da molécula TAA sobre o óxido nativo (Si/SiOx/TAA) e a reação do grupo superficial Si-Cl com o reagente de Grignard brometo de tiofeno-magnésio (Si/Tiofeno) foram respectivamente caracterizadas por Espectroscopia de Infravermelho (FTIR) e Espectroscopia de Fotoelétrons por Raios-X (XPS). A contribuição do P3HT para o dispositivo foi avaliada a partir da comparação com uma junção Schottky (Al/Si/Au). Os valores de VOC obtidos nas células solares na presença de P3HT foram similares (~0,4 V) e superiores ao obtido no dispositivo sem o polímero (~0,2 V), evidenciando o domínio da junção Si/P3HT para as propriedades fotovoltaicas. O dispositivo Si/SiOx/TAA apresentou grande resistência em série, com eficiência de conversão de energia inferior a 0,5%. Porém, com a configuração Al/Si/Tiofeno/P3HT/Au, as células solares alcançaram valores de eficiência de 5,76%. A eficiência superior foi relacionada com a melhor adesão e compatibilidade entre o Si e o P3HT a partir de imagens de SEM / Abstract: This work presents the synthesis of carboxylated molecules and their use as compatibilizer agents in hybrid inorganic/organic systems. Characterization and application of the interfaces of those hybrid systems comprising titanium dioxide with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (TiO2/P3HT) and monocrystalline silicon with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (Si/P3HT) will also be described. In the former system, TiO2/P3HT, the TiO2 surface was modified with three molecules: 2-thiophenecarboxylic acid (TCA), 2-thiopheneacetic acid (TAA) and 2,4- thiophenedicarboxylic acid (TDA). Transient Absorption Spectroscopy (TAS) photophysical studies and contact angle measurements demonstrated that TAA presents the best compatibility in the interface. Solar cells modified with TAA, set up in inverted configuration, showed 0.03% of overall energy conversion efficiency, which is three times larger than the one obtained from a standard device. Replacing TAA by N719 dye on TiO2 surface increased the efficiency, achieving values higher than 1%. Inserting TiO2 rod-shaped nanoparticles (TiO2 NB/TAA) on P3HT layer of the latter system resulted in 1.35% overall efficiency. Photoelectrochemical experiments demonstrated that this modification using TiO2 NB/TAA increases exciton separation rate and conductivity properties slightly enhanced compared to spherical nanoparticles (TiO2 NE/TAA). Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) showed that TiO2 NB/TAA and TiO2 NE nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed in the P3HT matrix. In the Si/P3HT hybrid system, the inorganic/organic interface was modified through chemical adsorption of TAA molecules on the native oxide (Si/SiOx/TAA) and a reaction of the surface Si-Cl groups with Grignard reagent 2-thiophene-magnesium bromide (Si/Tiofeno). Both reactions were characterized using Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The contribution of P3HT to the p-n junction formation in the photovoltaic device was evaluated from a comparison with a Schottky junction (Al/Si/Au). The VOC values obtained with P3HT were similar among the experiments (around 0.4 V) and higher than without the polymer (around 0.2 V). This observation highlights the dominance of Si/P3HT for photovoltaic properties. The Si/SiOx/TAA device exhibited a high series resistance, with energy conversion efficiency lower than 0.5%. However, using Al/Si/Tiofeno/P3HT/Au configuration, the solar cells reached 5.76% efficiency. The higher values might be related to a better adhesion and compatibility between Si and P3HT, which was observed from SEM images / Doutorado / Quimica Inorganica / Doutor em Ciências

5 p. / An important consideration when installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) array for residential, commercial, or agricultural operations is determining the suitability of the site. A roof-top location for a residential application may have fewer options due to limited space (roof size), type of roofing material (such as a sloped shingle, or a flat roof), the orientation (south, east, or west), and roof-mounted structures such as vent pipe, chimney, heating & cooling units. A location with open space may utilize a ground-mount system or pole-mount system.