New battery, like leaves, like the light into electricity?

Chloroplasts of green plants through photosynthesis, which convert sunlight into chemical energy. Inspired by photosynthesis, scientists are working to develop a theory of chloroplast was similar with the new battery - dye-sensitized solar cells, it can convert light into electrical energy, a true “zero emissions.”

PV industry as a new force in the field of energy has become a high-tech industries in Jiangsu, one of the fastest growing. However, as the representative of clean energy, silicon solar cell industry chain upstream silicon raw material is high energy consumption and high pollution industries. To this end, scientists have started preparation of new materials developed to use more solar cells.
(According to China Association for Science News Network)

For the photosynthesis of green plants, we may not be familiar: The chloroplast, absorb and utilize light energy, carbon dioxide and water into organic matter stored energy and release oxygen.

Throughout this process, as long as there is sunlight, photosynthesis can always continue.

Called “dye-sensitized solar cell (hereinafter referred to as DSC)” works with the principles of photosynthesis is similar. The difference is that the photosynthesis of green plants through chloroplast, DSC of photosynthesis, using chlorophyll is similar to the dye to absorb sunlight, produce electronic, electronics no longer be collecting electrode, and then through the external circuit and return to counter-electrode to generate photocurrent.

Such cells are considered to be the field of solar energy research and development of another “Dawn.” Nanjing University of Technology, Professor Feng Xiaodong recently told reporters that the battery will be the next generation of low-cost solar cells. If the battery proved to be successful, will allow the use of clean energy into millions of households.

There is Bright，then there is electricity?

The whole cycle, as long as there is sunlight, and with the external circuit connected to, we can continuously convert the energy charge.” Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute DAI Song-yuan introduced the battery works: When the dye molecules absorb the After the sun, electronics became active as well as from the original ground state, and titanium dioxide oxidation reaction occurs, the electronic soon went to electrode surface of the collection, pass out circuit; while returning from the other side of the electrode electrolyte ion electrons captured, sent back to the oxidized dye molecules, to regain back to the ground state, which complete the electron transport cycle.

However, Feng Xiaodong also said, DSC photosynthesis and plant photosynthesis different. Chlorophyll molecules in plants can be said is that DSC used in the dye molecules in kind. It is with the similarity of plant photosynthesis is light absorption, molecular excitation by charge transfer. Difference is not the same as a later step, the DSC run is collected in two electrodes to pass over the charge to generate electricity; while photosynthesis, charge transfer to the reaction center, forming new chemical bonds, it will light equipment for into chemical energy.

How much does new battery cost?

　Cell production process is mainly a large area screen-printing technology and simple immersion method is conducive to large-scale industrial production, and all raw materials and production processes are non-toxic, pollution-free, the battery in the conductive glass can be fully recovered, the protection of environment is important.

DAI Song-yuan said that as the DSC can be directly solar energy into electrical energy, large-scale photovoltaic power generation, to solve China’s vast central and western regions without electricity energy issues of great significance. He worked out an account in the long run, if the DSC down the cost of 10 yuan per peak watt, the cost can be considerable with conventional energy sources. If the efficiency of 7% per square meter will have a 70-watt battery-powered, then an area of 14.3 square kilometers can reach 1000 MW of power supply capacity.

New battery bottleneck where?

For PV to become an integral part of future energy systems, the key is to achieve its cost performance with conventional energy sources can be quite. Dai Song-Yuan introduced to DSC’s cost advantages, such as 6% of the photoelectric conversion efficiency, outdoor stability, to achieve more than 10 years, it has the potential for industrialization. But the DSC, as a prolonged period of time outdoor installations, will be a variety of natural conditions. Therefore, the study of long-life, high stability of the DSC is a very pressing issue.

Feng Xiaodong noted that the dye-sensitized solar cells Another problem encountered is the dye molecules, at present its light absorption efficiency is not high enough. Exposure to the spectrum of sunlight on earth is very wide spectrum, 49% of the energy concentrated in the infrared light, while the vast majority of dye molecules present on the infrared light absorption efficiency is not high. Therefore, high absorption efficiency of the synthetic dye molecules have also become a very important research direction.

Would replace silicon-based solar power?

In 2004, industrial research, DAI Song-yuan of the research team in a leading position in China. They prepared a large area tandem cell module (15cm × 20cm) of the initial efficiency of 5.9%, stability, efficiency of 5%.This industrial production for the next step and lay a good foundation.

He explained, DSC’s next main objective is to process and industrial manufacturing technology, strive for new breakthroughs, focused on solving the battery long time stability and improve the efficiency of the battery components, once the popularization and application, require at least 15 — the stabilization period of more than 20 years. But in the long run, to be truly low-cost solar cell applications, so that ordinary people can afford is the key way out.
Feng Xiaodong that the photovoltaic cells will be in the future become an important safe and reliable new energy.DSC, as a kind of photovoltaic cells, has its unique application market, of course, it can not replace the current silicon-based solar energy dominance.

Extended reading

Artificial leaves” zero emission

PV industry as a new force in the field of energy has become a high-tech industries in Jiangsu, one of the fastest growing. However, as the representative of clean energy, silicon solar cell industry chain upstream silicon raw material is high energy consumption and high pollution industries. To this end, scientists have started preparation of new materials developed to use more solar cells.

Nanjing University of Technology, Professor Feng Xiaodong, told this reporter, in which a new type of solar cell, using a good performance, low-cost nano-titanium dioxide as a battery anode, and then a layer of nano-titanium dioxide on the absorption of the sunlight-sensitive organic dye, so they are called dye sensitized solar cells. It is simple and easy to get the raw material production, process is not complicated, function as on a leaf, it is vividly called the “artificial leaves.”

And leaves compared to dye-sensitized solar cells used in the dye, just as the leaves of chlorophyll, in the sunlight irradiation, will produce electronics, nano-titanium dioxide electrodes are assembled collection of electronic devices. This battery as long as the illumination, it will continuously produce electronics, solar energy directly into the light and will not discharge any waste.

Thin as onion skin, can easily bend

It is learned that, because titanium dioxide has a good visible light transmittance, so this “artificial leaves” almost transparent, and thin as onion skin and can be freely bent, with the materials and device structures of continuous improvement, this magic “leaves” very optimistic about the prospects for commercialization.

According to experts, this transparent “leaves” If you made a large area, it is possible to replace the glass, so long as to receive light, we can provide the impetus indoor small electrical appliances, you can also provide power for outdoor billboards. In the desert plateau, as long as one mounted on its roof fitted with “artificial leaves” big tent, that small cars can provide the impetus for long-distance travel, when people do not need to worry about a lack of fuel cars, but also eliminates the extra baggage travel.

In addition, the flexible and transparent retractable battery is not only comfortable, but also layered, and enhance the utilization of sunlight, in the space area will be the new favorite power spacecraft or satellite.

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