PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Penn State scientists say a solar cell made of titania nanotubes and natural dye might make the production of solar electricity cost-efficient.
"It takes a great deal of energy, 5 gigajoules per square meter, to make silicon solar cells, said Craig Grimes, professor of electrical engineering and materials science and engineering. "It can be argued silicon solar cells never fully recover the energy it takes to make them in the first place."
The new focus is toward dye sensitive solar cells made using nanoparticles and a variety of dyes.
"Nanoparticle solar cells are the gold standard of this new approach," said Grimes. "However, because of limitations, it appears they have gotten as good as they are going to get."
The researchers are considering using titania nanotubes to replace the particulate coatings in dye sensitive solar cells. Their initial attempt produced about 3 percent conversion of solar energy to electricity, but an inability to grow longer titania nanotubes constrained the solar conversion rate.
"I think we can reach a 15 percent conversion rate ... with a relatively easy fabrication system that is commercially viable." said Grimes.
The research appears in the current issue of Nano Letters.
