 |
Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) Image of 3D Honeycomb Graphene. The new material can replace the platinum material in dye-sensitized solar cells, and the output power will not be reduced. (Image courtesy of graduate student Hui Wang, Michigan Institute of Technology)
As we all know, even the most promising solar cells are not perfect. However, scientists from Michigan Technological University seem to have found a superior material to overcome some of the shortcomings of traditional batteries.
Dye-sensitive solar cells are not only thin and flexible, but they are also very good at converting solar light into electricity. However, the core material for this type of battery is one of the world's most expensive metals: platinum ($1,500 per ounce). Although the amount is not large, the cost of silver materials is still far behind.
Professors Yunshan Hu, Charles, and Caroll McArthur of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Michigan Technological University jointly developed a new and inexpensive material for replacing platinum in solar cells: 3D graphene, and the conversion efficiency is not reduced.
Regular graphene consists of well-known two-dimensional carbon molecules, similar to molecular thickness. Professor Hu and his team invented an innovative way to synthesize a unique 3D honeycomb graphene version.
They put together lithium oxides and carbon monoxide to form a chemical reaction that produces lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and honeycomb graphene. Li2CO3 helps shape the graphene sheets and isolates them from each other, preventing the formation of ordinary graphite. In addition, Li2CO3 molecules can be easily removed from 3D honeycomb graphite by the acid material.
Researchers found that these 3D honeycomb graphenes have excellent electrical conductivity and high catalytic activity, so they can be used for energy storage and energy conversion. Based on this, researchers will replace the platinum counter electrode in dye-sensitive solar cells, then place the solar cells under sunlight and measure their productivity.
The researchers found that with a 3D graphene counter electrode, 7.8% of the sun's rays can be converted to electricity, which is close to 8% conversion efficiency of conventional solar cells using expensive platinum materials.
Professor Hu emphasized that this synthetic 3D honeycomb graphene is not only cheap but it is not difficult to produce. Using them to create counter electrodes poses no particular challenge.
Drill rig is suitable for industrial and civil construction and highway, railway, prospecting and other engineering geological prospecting work, can choose diamond, carbide, spiral lamp drill for drilling.
We mainly produce various specifications and standards of geological core drill rods,core barrels, over shots ,various standards of impregnated synthetic diamond core bits,surface-set diamond bits,PCD reaming shells, surface-set reaming shells, PDC bits and so on.We have strong product development capabilities.Welcome customers to come to our factory to order products.
Drill Rig Machine,Drill Rig,Drilling Rig,Borehole Drilling Machine
wuxi shengmeirun trading co.,ltd. , https://www.wxsmrxz.com