Graphene boost for solar cells
Researchers in China have discovered a new use for graphene: all-weather solar cells.
Capable of functioning in wet weather, the cells contain a ‘whisper-thin’ layer of graphene which contains delocalised electrons as the water droplets, charged with positive ions, come into contact with it. This is due to contaminents such as sodium and ammonium in rainwater that are able to bind to the graphene surfaces, resulting in a pseudocapacitor – a double layer of electrons and positively charged ions.
The ability to utilise renewable energy – such as that generated by solar power – during unfavourable weather has been a major issue in its adoption. According to the energy monitoring website, solarschools.net: ‘Wind turbines need wind to turn the blades, and solar collectors need clear skies and sunshine to collect heat and make electricity. When these resources are unavailable so is the capacity to make energy from them. This can be unpredictable and inconsistent. The current cost of renewable energy technology is also far in excess of traditional fossil fuel generation. This is because it is a new technology and as such has extremely large capital cost.’
This, however, may now be subject to change thanks to the versatile ‘wonder material’ graphene.
The team of researchers was formed through a collaboration between the Ocean University of China (Qingdao) and Yunnan Normal University (Kunming, China). Their results have been published in the journal Angewandte Chemie.
