Dye- and Semiconductor-Sensitized Nanoparticle Solar Cell Research at NREL

The major objective of this research program is to determine the operational characteristics key to efficient, low-cost, stable liquid-junction and solid-state solar cells based on sensitized nanoporous films (in collaboration with DOE's Office of Science Program). Toward this end, we are conducting experimental and theoretical studies to understand the unique physical and chemical factors governing cell performance. Current scientific issues addressed include the influence of film morphology, sensitizer, and electrolyte on the electron transport and recombination dynamics and on the light-harvesting, charge-injection, and charge-collection efficiencies. Recently, we investigated the relationship between (1) transport and recombination, (2) morphological factors of core-shell nanoparticle films and their PV properties, and (3) electron-electron interactions and their effect on the transport dynamics. In this paper, we discuss the connection between transport and recombination and its effect on cell performance

Coordination-driven self-assembly of a novel carbonato-bridged heteromolecular neutral nickel(II) triangle by atmospheric CO2 fixation

Formation of a quasi-symmetrical mu(3)-carbonato-bridged self-assembled heteromolecular triangle of Ni(II), [(mu(3)-CO3){Ni-2(salmeNH)(2)(NCS)(2)}[Ni(salmeNH(2))(2)]center dot Et2O center dot H2O (HsalmeNH = 2-[(3-methylamino-propylimino)-methyl]-phenol) involves atmospheric CO2 uptake in a neutral medium, by spontaneous self-reorganization of the starting mononuclear Ni(II)-Schiff-base complex, [Ni(salmeNH)(2)]. The environment around Ni(II) in two of the subunits is different from the third one. The starting complex, (Ni(salmeNH)(2)], and one of the possible intermediate species, [Ni(salmeNH(2))(2)(NCS)(2)], which has a very similar coordination environment to that in the third Ni(II) center, have been characterized structurally. A plausible mechanism for the formation of such a triangle has also been proposed. The compound shows a very strong antiferromagnetic coupling. Fit as a regular triangular arrangement gave J = -53.1, g = 2.24, and R = 1.5 x 10(-4)