Reducing the cost of solar energy conversion devices stands as a critical goal. Students in the Gladfelter group are working on two major projects aimed at this important application. In one project they seek to understand the mechanism of charge separation in dye-sensitized solar cells by studying the early events following excitation of dye molecules attached to individual ZnO nanocrystals such at those shown in the transmission electron micrograph below.
In another project, group members are developing new molecular precursors and exploring the reaction mechanisms for the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of metal oxide films where ozone is used as the oxide source. They are depositing thin films that will be incorporated into new multi-junction solar cells prepared in collaboration with groups from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. They are also using ALD to deposit inorganic layers on self-assembled polymer templates.
