Copper-doped tungstic acid nanocrystals transform infrared light conversion
Systematic copper doping boosts all-solar utilization in tungstic acid nanocrystals.
Sunlight is an inexhaustible source of energy, and utilizing sunlight to generate electricity is one of the cornerstones of renewable energy. More than 40% of the sunlight that falls on earth is in the infrared, visible and ultraviolet spectra; however, current solar technology utilizes primarily visible and ultraviolet rays. Technology to utilize the full spectrum of solar radiation—called all-solar utilization—is still in its infancy.
A team of researchers from Hokkaido University, led by Assistant Professor Melbert Jeem and Professor Seiichi Watanabe at the Faculty of Engineering, have synthesized tungstic acid-based materials doped with copper that exhibited all-solar utilization. Their findings were published in the journal Advanced Materials.
“Currently, the near- and mid-infrared spectra of solar radiation, ranging from 800 nm to 2500 nm, is not utilized for energy generation,” explains Jeem. “Tungstic acid is a candidate for developing nanomaterials that can potentially utilize this spectrum, as it possesses a crystal structure with defects that absorb these wavelengths.”
The team used a photo-fabrication technique they had previously developed, submerged photo-synthesis of crystallites, to synthesize tungstic acid nanocrystals doped with varying concentrations of copper. The structures and light-absorbing properties of these nanocrystals were analyzed; their photothermal, photo-assisted water evaporation, and photo-electrochemical characteristics were measured.
The copper-doped tungsten oxide nanocrystals absorb light across the spectrum, from ultraviolet through visible light to infrared; the amount of infrared light absorbed was greatest at 1% copper doping. 1% and 5% copper-doped nanocrystals exhibited the highest temperature elevation (photothermal characteristic); 1% copper doped crystals also exhibited the greatest water evaporation efficacy, at approximately 1.0 kg per m2 per hour. Structural analysis of the 1% copper-doped nanocrystals indicated that the copper ions may be distorting the crystal structure of tungsten oxide, leading to the observed characteristics when light is absorbed.
“Our discoveries mark a significant advance in advancement in the design of nanocrystallites capable of both synthesizing and harnessing all-solar energy,” concludes Watanabe. “We have demonstrated that copper doping grants tungstic acid nanocrystal a variety of characteristics via all-solar utilization. This provides a framework for further research in the field as well as for the development of applications.”
Reference
Defect Driven Opto-Critical Phases Tuned for All-Solar Utilization
Melbert Jeem, Ayaka Hayano, Hiroto Miyashita, Mahiro Nishimura, Kohei Fukuroi, Hsueh-I Lin, Lihua Zhang, Seiichi Watanabe
Advanced Materials. July 29, 2023.
Contacts
Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Melbert Jeem
Center for Advanced Research of Energy and Materials
Faculty of Engineering
Hokkaido University
Email: m_jeem[at]eng.hokudai.ac.jp
Professor Seiichi Watanabe
Center for Advanced Research of Energy and Materials
Faculty of Engineering
Hokkaido University
Email: sw004[at]eng.hokudai.ac.jp
Sohail Keegan Pinto (International Public Relations Specialist)
Public Relations & Communications Division
Office of Public Relations and Social Collaboration
Hokkaido University
Tel: +81-11-706-2186
Email: en-press[at]general.hokudai.ac.jp
Hokkaido University
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