Objective Recent developments in conducting conjugated organic polymers and semiconductor nano-rods (CdSe, CdTe, ZnO, TiO2) have led to the development of hybrid organic/inorganic solar cells. These cells offer the possibility of spin on deposition and low cost fabrication not possible with current silicon based cells. However, the power conversion efficiencies for the hybrid cells are reduced compared to conventional systems. Increased efficiency can only be achieved by controlling the alignment and aspect ratios of the nano-rods in the organic polymer matrix. In this project, I propose to use the ordered hexagonal pore structure of mesoporous thin films (honeycomb silica structure with aligned pores 2-10 nm in diameter deposited on a substrate) to template semiconductor nano-rod growth. Replacing the silica pore walls with a conductive polymer matrix by selective etch and deposition will leave a hybrid organic inorganic composite with unidirectional aligned nano-rods. Additionally, pore engineering of the mesoporous film s will allow aspect ration control over the included nano-rods. Varying the radius of the rods can introduce a quantum confinement effect to control the band gap allowing maximum adsorption of light if the energy difference of the band gap can be tuned to im portant light adsorbing wavelengths. Dimensional control over the nano-rods in the matrix will both reduce charge recombination and increase charge mobility leading to significant increases in power conversion efficiency. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and filmsnatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivitynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids Keywords cadmium selenide cadmium teluride hybrid solar cell mesoporous mesoporous thin films nanorod nanowire plastic solar cell titanium dioxide zinc oxide Programme(s) FP6-MOBILITY - Human resources and Mobility in the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration "Structuring the European Research Area" under the Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006 Topic(s) MOBILITY-2.2 - Marie Curie Outgoing International Fellowships (OIF) Call for proposal FP6-2002-MOBILITY-6 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme OIF - Marie Curie actions-Outgoing International Fellowships Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK Address Plassey technological park n/a Limerick Ireland See on map Links Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 0,00 Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY United States EU contribution € 0,00 Address Berkeley, california, 94720-1460 California See on map Links Website Opens in new window
