The development of ultralight, ultrathin solar cells is on the horizon due to a new semiconductor call phosphorene.
A team of researchers from Australian National University have developed an atom-thick layer of black phosphorus crystals through a process that utilizes sticky tape.
“Because phosphorene is so thin and light, it creates possibilities for making lots of interesting devices, such as LEDs or solar cells,” said lead researcher Dr. Yuerui (Larry) Lu.
The fabrication of this phosphorene is similar to that of graphene, bringing the new material to a thickness of just 0.5 nanometers. With phosphorene’s novel properties, doors are opening for a new generation of solar cells and LEDs.
This from Australian National Institute:
Dr. Lu’s team found the optical gap for monolayer phosphorene was 1.75 electron volts, corresponding to red light of a wavelength of 700 nanometers. As more layers were added, the optical gap decreased. For instance, for five layers, the optical gap value was 0.8 electron volts, an infrared wavelength of 1,550 nanometers. For very thick layers, the value was around 0.3 electron volts, a mid-infrared wavelength of around 3.5 microns.
Interested in the future of solar? Make sure to attend the 228th ECS Meeting where we’ll be holding the fifth international Electrochemical Energy Summit (E2S). The focus of this year’s program will be on solar critical issues and renewable energy.
PS: Listen to our podcast with NREL’s John A. Turner, a world-leader in renewable energy sources.
