Projects / Programmes
Photoelectrochromic System and Photovoltaically Self-charging Battery (PES&PVSCB)
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
2.03.03 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Energy engineering |
Renewable resources and technologies |
Code |
Science |
Field |
T152 |
Technological sciences |
Composite materials |
T140 |
Technological sciences |
Energy research |
P352 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Surface and boundary layery chemistry |
P401 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Electrochemistry |
dye sensitised solar cells, photoelectrochromic system, photovoltaically self-charging battery, nanocrytalline transition metal oxide layers, sol-gel synthesis
Researchers (3)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The PES&PVSCB project concerns development of nanoporous – nanocrystalline transition metal oxides for two innovative systems: Photoelectrochromic System (PES) and Photovoltaically Self-Charging Battery (PVSCB). PES is a new type of switchable window, while PVSCB unifies in one unit a solar cell and a battery. The operation of both systems base on solar (renewable) energy. The layer structure of both systems is the same except that in PVSCB thicker layers are used.
The main object of this project will be the optimisation of the WO3 and TiO2 layers and the development of new nanoporous nanocrystalline transition metal oxide layers for these new systems. Nanocrystalline porous tungsten oxide, titanium oxide and other transition metal oxide layers will be developed using sol-gel processing, i.e. by making molecular scale composite layers using an organically modified silane as a host for transition metal precursors. During heat-treatment (> 350°C) the layers, the organic part burns out leaving pores, while SiO2-network present in the hybrid layer act as a skeleton. The structural, electrical and optical properties of the materials will be characterised. Assembling and testing the layers in the PES and PVSCB will provide answers to which type of layer is the most suitable. To achieve stable systems recently developed solid electrolyte will be used. The result of the project shall be a solid PES with solar transmittance changes between 50 and 5% with a short switching time (<10 minutes), and a solid PVSCB where more than 1 C/cm2 charge could be stored under illumination of 1 sun (1000 W/m2).