Organic Solar Cells
Organic solar cells are organic-based photovoltaic devices that can convert light to electricity. Organic molecules that have conjugated systems in core units/backbones of the molecules are normally being used as photoactive materials in the organic solar cells.
In our lab, we are exploring every avenue of organic solar cells with an emphasis on commercializations of organic solar cells and related technologies.
Perovskite Solar Cells
A perovskite is any material with a crystal structure of ABX3. Traditionally, the perovskite has been used as ceramic host for various applications such as superconductors, piezoelectrics, capacitors, sensors, and so forth. In most ceramic perovskite materials, two different metal atoms are placed at A and B, and oxygen is normally occupying the X position in the perovskite structure of ABX3. Recently, organic molecules and halides are being used to replace metal atoms at A and oxygen at X, respectively. The perovskite containing organic materials and halides is called organohalide perovskite or organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite. This new type of perovskite, organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite, can be dissolved in organic solvents and is solution-processible to fabricate solar cells.
In our lab, we are laser-focused on getting trap density in the organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells reduced, which eventially leads to high efficiency and long-term stability of the solar cells.
Materials for Sustainability
We are seeking routes from various angles to contribute to our sustainable future. Our major interests are at the materials that are promising for carbon neutrality and are recyclable themselves. We are also looking for new energy materials that are able to overcome issues occurring at every corner of renewable energy technologies ranging from energy conversion and storage to hydrogen production.