University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Investigation of flow-limited field-injection electrostatic spraying for nanofabrication and direct-write patterning: Application to dye-sensitized solar cells

Heil, Philip

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Heil_Philip.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/34411

Description

Title
Investigation of flow-limited field-injection electrostatic spraying for nanofabrication and direct-write patterning: Application to dye-sensitized solar cells
Author(s)
Heil, Philip
Issue Date
2012-09-18T21:15:37Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Kim, Kyekyoon
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Kim, Kyekyoon
Committee Member(s)
  • Choi, Hyungsoo
  • Cahill, David G.
  • Rockett, Angus A.
  • Martin, Lane W.
Department of Study
Materials Science & Engineerng
Discipline
Materials Science & Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2012-09-18T21:15:37Z
Keyword(s)
  • Dye-sensitized
  • Solar cell
  • Flow-limited field-injection electrostatic spraying (FFESS)
  • Titanium dioxide (TiO2)
  • Nanoparticle
  • Nanofiber
Abstract
There is much interest in the development of technologies which can enhance the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), due to their promising efficiencies relative to the low cost of materials and manufacturing. Achieving high efficiency DSCs involves optimization of the absorption of light and transport of carriers in the active layers, which requires a precisely controlled nanostructure of the mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) electrode. This work concentrates on the investigation of flow-limited field-injection electrostatic spraying (FFESS) and its application in the advancement of dye-sensitized solar cell research. This includes a fundamental investigation of FFESS for patterning of DSC materials, and the generation and control of TiO2 nanostructures and composite electrodes using this process, which prove effective in improving DSC performance. In addition, a surface treatment of the DSC electrodes is performed to investigate the relationships between the performance and the morphology and surface chemistry of the TiO2, and their impact on fundamental transport phenomena.
Graduation Semester
2012-08
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/34411
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2012 Philip Edward Heil

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