Carbon Nanomaterial-Based Composites for Hybrid Organic Photovoltaic Devices

PROJECT COST:

332 000 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

72 800 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

Novel photovoltaic (PV) technologies are being actively studied and developed worldwide as promising solutions for a more sustainable energy supply. These technologies aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease dependence on fossil fuels imported from politically unstable regions. Global solar energy strategies include the large-scale deployment of existing mature PV technologies, as well as the development of emerging technologies such as organic photovoltaics (OPV) and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These new approaches are also combined with advanced energy storage and distribution solutions to ensure that solar electricity is available when and where it is needed.

First-generation solar cells, mainly based on crystalline and polycrystalline silicon, currently dominate the PV market. Second-generation technologies, including thin-film solar cells based on materials such as cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), and amorphous silicon, represent an important share of the global market. While these first- and second-generation technologies offer commercial products with good power conversion efficiency and long lifetimes, third-generation technologies, such as OPV and DSSCs, are still under development.

OPV technologies offer several advantages, including low-cost organic materials, flexibility, and lightweight characteristics. Some commercial products, such as solar bags, have already reached niche markets; however, they are not yet competitive with conventional large-scale photovoltaic panels. Improving the efficiency and performance of OPV devices through the integration of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, represents a promising research direction. These materials could enable significant technological advances and open new opportunities for advanced electronic and photonic applications.

The proposed project will focus on demonstrating the feasibility of this approach through proof-of-concept studies and the development of prototype devices. Due to the emerging nature of this technology field, intellectual property (IP) generated during the project will be protected through patents. The next steps will include technology transfer and patent licensing to interested companies, with the objective of commercializing devices based on the developed prototypes. In addition, this project will establish the foundation for a long-term collaboration focused on the development of advanced materials for energy applications.