Ultrathin and nanofibers from cellulose acetate solutions: solar cells application

• Grant number: 17/13500-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): August 28, 2017
• Effective date (End): February 27, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Elisabete Frollini
• Grantee: Joice Jaqueline Kaschuk
• Supervisor: Orlando Jose Rojas Gaona
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Aalto University, Finland
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/05240-5 - Lignocellulosic fibers: Source of Materials and Fermentable Sugars, BP.DR

Abstract

Solar cells are an important alternative for generating clean and sustainable electricity. Cellulose acetate is a low-cost cellulose derivative that possesses, among other characteristics, stability, a surface rich in functional groups, uniformity, and the possibility of producing flexible, conformable and fine devices. In the present project, it is intended to use cellulose acetate, zinc oxide (ZnO), combined or not with nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC), in order to obtain solar cell components from the electrospinning technique. Photovoltaic properties can be checked using nanoparticles, which transfer electrons easily and are transparent. In this context, biobased materials will be obtained from cellulose acetate, CNC, and ZnO and their photovoltaic properties will be evaluated. The proposal herein is part of the doctoral project developed by the student who is applying for this scholarship. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

KASCHUK, JOICE JAQUELINE; MIETTUNEN, KATI; BORGHEI, MARYAM; FROLLINI, ELISABETE; ROJAS, ORLANDO J.. Electrolyte membranes based on ultrafine fibers of acetylated cellulose for improved and long-lasting dye-sensitized solar cells. Cellulose, v. 26, n. 10, p. 6151-6163, JUL 2019. (17/13500-2)

KASCHUK, JOICE JAQUELINE; BORGHEI, MARYAM; SOLIN, KATARIINA; TRIPATHI, ANURODH; KHAKALO, ALEXEY; LEITE, FABIO A. S.; BRANCO, AIDA; DE SOUSA, MIRIAM C. AMORES; FROLLINI, ELISABETE; ROJAS, ORLANDO J.. Cross-Linked and Surface-Modified Cellulose Acetate as a Cover Layer for Paper-Based Electrochromic Devices. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS, v. 3, n. 5, p. 2393-2401, MAY 14 2021. (17/13500-2)