Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. Solar Energy News .




SOLAR DAILY
Novel technique to synthesize nanocrystals that harvest solar energy
by Staff Writers
Washington DC (SPX) Aug 24, 2012


This is a schematic of the photocatalytic nanocrystal. Credit: Journal of Visualized Experiments.

One reason that solar energy has not been widely adopted is because light absorbing materials are not durable. Materials that harvest solar radiation for energy often overheat or degrade over time; this reduces their viability to compete with other renewable energy sources like wind or hydroelectric generators. A new video protocol addresses these issues by presenting a synthesis of two inorganic nanocrystals, each of which is more durable than their organic counterparts.

The article, published in Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE), focuses on the liquid phase synthesis of two nanocrystals that produce hydrogen gas or an electric charge when exposed to light.

"The main advantage of this technique is that it allows for direct, all inorganic coupling of the light absorber and the catalyst," says the leading author Dr. Mikhail Zamkov of Bowling Green State University.

Zamkov's nanocrystals are unique for two reasons: they separate charge in different ways due to their architectures, and they are inorganic and durable. The first nanocrystal is rod-shaped, which allows the charge separation needed to produce hydrogen gas, a reaction known as photocatalysis.

The second nanocrystal is composed of stacked layers and generates electricity, thus being photovoltaic. Because the nanocrystals are inorganic, they are easier to recharge and less sensitive to heat than their organic counterparts.

Zamkov's inorganic photocatalytic material allows a rechargeable reaction when exposed to cheap organic solvents, whereas in traditional photocatalytic reactions the catalyst is often irreversibly degraded.

The photovoltaic nanocrystals can also withstand higher heat than the traditional photovoltaic cells that do not dissipate heat well.

"We have established a new method for making photocatalytic and photovoltaic materials. This is important primarily as a new strategy for making photovoltaic films that are 100% inorganic, thus producing a more stable solar panel.

It is a design that you could reach marketability," Dr. Zamkov says. "It is important to have these steps documented in a video format, as the synthesis of the photocatalytic nanocrystals and the photovoltaic cells are long procedures with detailed steps. It makes our technique more visible and accessible."

This article is published in the Applied Physics section of JoVE, which was launched in July of 2012. Renewable energy has quickly become a theme of the new section, which also features articles detailing new battery development and other improvements on solar techniques.

JoVE Associate Editor Rachelle Baker notes, "It's great to show more renewable energy work because it's becoming increasingly important in the world we live in. Hopefully this platform will help to facilitate progress in the field."

Zamkov et. al.:

.


Related Links
The Journal of Visualized Experiments
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








SOLAR DAILY
Clean Energy Collective Awarded 6 Xcel Energy Solar Gardens
Carbondale CO (SPX) Aug 21, 2012
Clean Energy Collective (CEC) has been awarded six community-owned solar gardens as part of Xcel's Solar*Rewards Community program, totaling 2.5 MW of distributed power generation. Through the new program, Clean Energy Collective will construct and maintain solar arrays, known as solar gardens, in centralized locations across the state. The panels in the solar arrays are owned by individual comm ... read more


SOLAR DAILY
Biorefinery makes use of every bit of a soybean

Warning issued for modified algae

Genetically Engineered Algae For Biofuel Pose Potential Risks That Should Be Studied

Argentina unhappy over EU biofuels curbs

SOLAR DAILY
Soft robots, in color

NASA Historic Test Stands Make Way for New Reusable Robotic Lander Neig

Dextrous robotic hand gets thumbs up

The first robot that mimics the water striders' jumping abilities

SOLAR DAILY
Maximum Protection against Dust; Minimal Effort

US Wind Power Market Riding a Wave That Is Likely to Crest in 2012

Wind farms: A danger to ultra-light aircraft?

Off-shore wind power project considered

SOLAR DAILY
China's Geely H1 profit rises 9% as exports surge

Germans prefer bigger engines: study

US launches test of Wi-Fi to prevent car accidents

American CEO of Czech truck-maker charged in graft case

SOLAR DAILY
Oil firms evacuate as storm heads for Gulf of Mexico

'Manageable' oil slick reaches Sri Lanka capital

PetroChina invests in Middle East oil

Push on for efficient hydrogen production

SOLAR DAILY
ORNL technology moves scientists closer to extracting uranium from seawater

Glass offers improved means of storing UK's nuclear waste

Japan anti-nuke activists protest in Tokyo

Japan press mixed on PM meet with anti-nuclear camp

SOLAR DAILY
India's Reliance Power and China Datang ink deal

Romney touts energy independence by 2020

Brazil speeds up to embrace smart meters

British energy price hike stirs anger

SOLAR DAILY
Natural Regeneration Building Urban Forests, Altering Species Composition

Myanmar in deforestation crisis

Widespread local extinctions in tropical forest 'remnants'

Marine research in the Brazilian rain forest




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement