Use of trees to develop a new type of solar

We have likened leaves the solar cell, they capture sunlight into energy. Today, through technical innovation part of the solar cell components can be obtained from the trees.

Georgia Institute of Technology and Purdue University researchers developed a solar cell using natural plant materials like trees such. The same time, such a solar cell is installed in the substrate of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), can be recovered immediately after the end of the battery life.

It is understood that this organic how to make solar panels energy conversion rate of 2.7%, which is unprecedented for recyclable raw materials matrix production battery. CNC assembly platform for the solar cell substrate is optically transparent, so the light can be absorbed organic semiconductor layer through which they are very thin. The solar cell in the recovery process can be very simple at room temperature, was immersed in water for just a few minutes, CNC matrix would dissolve, then the main ingredients of the battery can easily be separated.

So far, the organic solar power inverter can usually be assembled in a glass or plastic. The products obtained by these two methods can not be easily recycled, while petroleum-based material matrix interested in environmental destruction. Although the paper matrix of environmental protection, but due to its surface roughness and porosity, limit performance. However, cellulose nano-materials prepared from the trees and green plants, renewable, sustainable, the thickness of 2 nm film so that the surface roughness decreases.

The researchers said that the next goal is to improve the energy conversion rate to more than 10%, so you can quite energy efficiency solar glass and petroleum-based matrix. Transient optical optimization of the solar cell electrode enough help to achieve their goals.