Researchers from the University of Cordoba and the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Germany are making strides in creating a solar battery using a common and environmentally friendly material. The recent publication in Advanced Energy Materials highlights using 2D carbon nitride, which is easy to synthesize and readily available, as a promising option for sustainable energy storage.
Overview of Achievement
The key to making solar energy a more sustainable energy source is improving the technology’s ability to capture as much sunlight as possible, convert it into usable energy, and make it readily available to meet our energy needs. The recent development of a new solar battery using 2D carbon nitride as a sustainable energy storage option is an exciting breakthrough achieved by researchers from the University of Cordoba and the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Germany.
To create a stable structure for the photovoltaic device, the team had to figure out a way to deposit a thin layer of the material, commonly found in powder form or aqueous suspensions of nanoparticles. With this hurdle crossed, the team combined optical simulations and photoelectrochemical experiments to explain the device’s high performance in capturing sunlight and storing energy. The researchers discovered that utilizing rear lighting had certain benefits. They unveiled these advantages by creating a theoretical design based on experimental restrictions.
Intermittency and Environmental Impact
Storing solar energy is a crucial aspect of the process between the collection of light by the solar cell and the on-demand use of energy by household appliances. Solar batteries were created to address intermittency issues and the environmental impact of conventional batteries, which require materials such as lithium that may be scarce or difficult to recycle. By combining the functions of capturing light and storing energy in a single device, solar batteries have made it possible to use solar energy conveniently and sustainably.
Feasible Designs for Solar Batteries
This science project goes beyond just theory and will explore experimental limits to develop feasible designs for solar batteries. The solar battery device they designed offers excellent versatility. It can provide a large, one-off current, such as the amount needed for a photography flash, or a smaller, sustained wind for a mobile phone. This innovative project showcases the performance of a solar battery device made from an environmentally sustainable material that is abundant and easy to synthesize. It is made from urea, a harmless substance.
