Nanostructured inks for organic photovoltaics (OPV)

• Grant number: 15/15921-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: February 01, 2016
• End date: October 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Tiago de Góes Conti
• Grantee: Tiago de Góes Conti
• Company: Nchemi Engenharia de Materiais Ltda
• City: São Carlos
• Associated research grant(s): 16/17739-7 - Nanostructured inks for organic photovoltaics (OPV), AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 16/02674-7 - Nanostructured inks for organic photovoltaics (OPV), BP.PIPE

Abstract

The increase in global energy demand, along with the reduction of fossil fuels resource, a better understanding of the costs involved in energy production and the environmental impact reduction have stimulated substantial interest of politicians, academics and investors in the search for alternative and renewable energies resources. The conversion of solar energy into electrical energy based on organic semiconductors devices has emerged as a potential replacement to conventional power generation methods, due to its low environmental impact and low production cost. In recent decades, nanoscience and nanotechnology have been established as alternative ways of developing advanced materials, high-performance materials and devices with new/better physical and chemical properties, reaching a wide range of industries, such as agro-industry, textile, equipment and tools, power generation, etc. In this context, metal oxide nanoparticles (NOM) are used successfully in the production of high performance solar cells. Thus, this project focuses on the production of NOM based inks in order to increase the performance of solar cells built on top of organic semiconductors. NPs are produced via the solvotermal method in organic medium (nonaqueous), because it is a versatile method which enables nanomaterials synthesis with well-defined forms, high crystallinity, low size distribution, chemical composition control, high compatibility with polymeric materials - enabling the production of high performance coatings for electrical devices. In order to obtain a competitive product, it is noteworthy that a partnership with the end-user will be developed in this project to carry out practical tests and produce a customer on-demand product. (AU)