Hi,
The CORE-CM seminar this week is:
March 21: Juan Bisquert
Department of Physics, University Jaume I, Castello Spain
"Solar energy conversion with nanoheterostructures"
The abstract is below
BPS 1400 at 12:00pm,
Pizza and cookies available at 11:45am
Phil Duxbury
Full seminar list is at:
http://www.pa.msu.edu/cmp/CORE-CM/SeminarSpring2013.html
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Abstract
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Nanostructures based on
inorganic semiconductor layers, molecular catalysts and colloidal
quantum dots, are very promising candidates to achieve efficient
solar cells and photoelectrochemical cells for the production of
solar fuels. Empirical progress has been realized but fundamental
methods of analysis are required to relate electronic operation to
composition and structure. Here we discuss fundamental processes
that
induce the directionality of photogenerated electron and hole
carriers towards a productive result, either electrical power or
chemical fuel. We address specific mechanisms and electronic
processes of dye-sensitized solar cells, organic solar cells,
quantum
dot solar cells, and visible light absorber semiconductor
heterostructures for solar water splitting. Recent analysis based on
Impedance Spectroscopy (IS) results allows
to derive a simple model that works well in many cases. The model
consists on a combination of recombination resistance and
chemical capacitance, and it provides the separation of energetic
and
kinetic components of the solar cells operation. I discuss the
relation between recombination resistance and capacitance of the
cell
measured by IS, with the j-V curve both in the dark and under (1
sun)
illumination. We can provide a detailed energetic map that shows the
limitation to injection (photocurrent) and split of Fermi levels
(photovoltage) by recombination. We also discuss the application of
impedance spectroscopy experimental and theoretical tools to
identify
the mechanism of operation of photoanodes for solar fuel production.