New technique to improve solar panels
Modern energy-conversion materials such as solid oxide fuel cells and triple-junction solar cells are vital for society's transition away from fossil fuels. But to take full advantage of these complex materials, new analytical techniques are required. The EU-funded IONBEATHETEROMAT project aimed to develop a new method to understand the molecular interactions taking place in complex energy-conversion materials. The project combined two well-established techniques: low-energy ion scattering (LEIS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrophotometry (ToF-SIMS). Both LEIS and ToF-SIMS can be used to understand energetic processes at or near the surfaces of complex materials. Together, these techniques provided a better view of how the chemical and physical structure of the materials can influence their function and durability. The newly developed method also revealed novel interactions between ions and solids in the advanced materials under operating conditions. This pioneering advance can now be applied to further designing and developing functional advanced materials. This will lead to improved functionality and durability in a broad range of applications, including solar panels.
