Quantcast

Antifreeze, cheap materials may lead to low-cost solar energy

A process combining some comparatively cheap materials and the same antifreeze that keeps an automobile radiator from freezing in cold weather may be the key to making solar cells that cost less and avoid toxic compounds, while further expanding the use of solar energy.

And when perfected, this approach might also cook up the solar cells in a microwave oven similar to the one in most kitchens.

Engineers at Oregon State University have determined that ethylene glycol, commonly used in antifreeze products, can be a low-cost solvent that functions well in a “continuous flow” reactor – an approach to making thin-film solar cells that is easily scaled up for mass production at industrial levels.

The research, just published in Material Letters, a professional journal, also concluded this approach will work with CZTS, or copper zinc tin sulfide, a compound of significant interest for solar cells due to its excellent optical properties and the fact these materials are cheap and environmentally benign.

“The global use of solar energy may be held back if the materials we use to produce solar cells are too expensive or require the use of toxic chemicals in production,” said Greg Herman, an associate professor in the OSU School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering. “We need technologies that use abundant, inexpensive materials, preferably ones that can be mined in the U.S. This process offers that.”

By contrast, many solar cells today are made with CIGS, or copper indium gallium diselenide. Indium is comparatively rare and costly, and mostly produced in China. Last year, the prices of indium and gallium used in CIGS solar cells were about 275 times higher than the zinc used in CZTS cells.

The technology being developed at OSU uses ethylene glycol in meso-fluidic reactors that can offer precise control of temperature, reaction time, and mass transport to yield better crystalline quality and high uniformity of the nanoparticles that comprise the solar cell – all factors which improve quality control and performance.

This approach is also faster – many companies still use “batch mode” synthesis to produce CIGS nanoparticles, a process that can ultimately take up to a full day, compared to about half an hour with a continuous flow reactor. The additional speed of such reactors will further reduce final costs.

“For large-scale industrial production, all of these factors – cost of materials, speed, quality control – can translate into money,” Herman said. “The approach we’re using should provide high-quality solar cells at a lower cost.”

The performance of CZTS cells right now is lower than that of CIGS, researchers say, but with further research on the use of dopants and additional optimization it should be possible to create solar cell efficiency that is comparable.

This project is one result of work through the Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry, a collaborative effort of OSU and five other academic institutions, supported by the National Science Foundation. Funding was provided by Sharp Laboratories of America. The goal is to develop materials and products that are safe, affordable and avoid the use of toxic chemicals or expensive compounds.




The material in this press release comes from the originating research organization. Content may be edited for style and length. Want more? Sign up for our daily email.

10 thoughts on “Antifreeze, cheap materials may lead to low-cost solar energy”

  1. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the
    following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly
    a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

  2. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your
    web site and in accession capital to assert
    that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.

  3. Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to
    see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just
    so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken
    and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to
    share it with someone!

  4. An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do think that you should publish more
    about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but generally people do not speak about these topics.
    To the next! Cheers!!

  5. hi!,I really like your writing very a lot! proportion we keep up a correspondence more approximately your article on AOL?
    I require an expert on this house to solve my problem.
    Maybe that is you! Having a look ahead to peer you.

  6. As you sit from the porch or flip some hamburgers around the barbecue,
    you adopt notice in the details: some landscaping
    improvements for an additional pair day, maybe a new shutters
    for the windows. Not to be able to provide better coverage of
    NFL games is one from the biggest let downs.

    The mix of wood and fiberglass is very much the best at
    keeping out unwanted air and weather, even though it
    carries a suitable price tag.

Comments are closed.