The Swedish scientists have successfully explained how iron-based dyes work on a molecular level in solar cells, which could accelerate the development of cheap and eco-friendly solar cells using such dyes in the future. Using iron instead of other expensive and rare metals will enable solar cell production to become less expensive and more environmentally friendly, significantly increasing demand.
“In this new study, we explain how iron-based dyes work on a molecular level” said senior lecturer Petter Persson. “That way we are able to further improve these iron complexes so that they become even better at absorbing and storing solar energy. There is a lot of international interest in our research. Research groups in other parts of the world are keen to test the new dyes in other areas of application.”
Researchers in other parts of the world have been trying to develop iron-based dyes for decades, without success. A crucial reason for this difficulty is that achieving the right electronic properties in dyes based on iron is much more difficult compared to other metals. However, where others have failed, the researchers in Lund have now succeeded.
It will probably take a few years before iron dyes are used commercially in the production of solar cells and light catchers, but Petter Persson is surprised at the rapid development, given that it is difficult to develop new materials for solar energy conversion. However, for once, this process has been unusually quick and the scientists have made a number of important breakthroughs in just a few years.
The results of the study have now been published in the journal article ChemSusChem Energy & Materials
Image: Petter Persson
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