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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R12817/01
Title: Beyond the Gratzel Cell: Replacing the Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells
Principal Investigator: Riley, Professor DJ
Other Investigators:
Peter, Professor LM
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Johnson Matthey
Department: Chemistry
Organisation: University of Bristol
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 January 2001 Ends: 30 September 2004 Value (£): 82,361
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Solar Technology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Construction No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
GR/R12756/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
We propose to replace the ruthenium dye in the Gratzel cell by semiconductor nanocrystals attached to the nanocrystalline oxide support. The attached particles may have the same bandgap as the bulk (e.g. CdTe), or they may be size selected semiconductor quantum dots (e.g. PbS). The Q-particles are exciting because their bandgap 98n be tailored. Provided that the conduction band of the particles is high enough, photoexcitation will lead to electron injection into the conduction band of the TiO2 or other wide bandgap oxide. The hole in the Q-particle will be transferred to the adjacent phase (electrolyte or polymer) and transported to the other contact. Previous work has demonstrated that sensitisation of no2 by Q-particles of PbS, Bi2S3 and other materials can be as efficient as by conventional dyes with a considerably better response at low photon energies where the N3 dye does not absorb. This is exactly what is needed to improve cell performance.
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Organisation Website: http://www.bris.ac.uk