Functional fibres towards photovoltaic smart cloths

Photovoltaic solutions are widely researched to address the exponentially increasing energy demands worldwide. Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are among the possible materials solutions, yet currently their exploitation is hindered by their incomplete light harvesting performance. Research to increase light absorption is ongoing and electrospinning nanofibres of photoactive polymers, which produces highly crystalline, aligned polymer versus their film counterparts, and has been shown to improve optical absorption in OPVs.

This project builds on our recent findings and is focusing on the fine control of fibre structure properties relationships through, e.g., manipulation of fibre diameter, chemistry, crystallinity, addition of functional particles. See also: Driving Fiber Diameters to the Limit: Nanoparticle-induced Diameter Reductions in Electrospun Photoactive Composite Nanofibers for Organic Photovoltaics. Advanced electrospinning techniques will be explored in conjunction with state-of-the-art characterisation techniques will be essential for this project. Complementary materials modelling will be sought through collaborations.