This catalyst enhances the efficiency and stability of photovoltaic solar cells and other light-reactive materials. Photovoltaic cells, which convert photons from light into voltage, form the foundation of solar energy technologies. Renewable, sustainable, and producing zero emissions, solar is one of the world's fastest-developing energy technologies: more than 100 American companies manufacture solar cells and modules, according to the United States Energy Information Administration. Despite its rapid growth and clear benefits, solar energy has been hampered by inefficiency, particularly related to overheating; the voltage output of a solar panel system drops when a certain temperature threshold is crossed. University of Florida researchers have created a technology to synthesize conducting organometallopolymers with previously unattainable compositions. Organometallopolymers marry the desirable high conducting properties of metals and the flexible and elastomeric properties of organic polymers to make advance functional materials with distinct properties. Enabling exquisite control over materials properties, the technology provides more efficient and more heat resistant solar cells and optical applications, including light-emitting diodes.
Advanced catalyst to link metal ions for use in photovoltaics and other light-reactive materials
"Click" reactions are chemical reactions that operate in a wide range of solvents and pH conditions, are functional group tolerant, and provide product in quantitative yield. These properties are highly desirable for the mass production of functional materials. Despite these appealing characteristics, Click reactions thus far have had few applications in organometallic and inorganic chemistry. The inventors created a class of reactions known as iClick chemistry that employs metal ions as discrete building blocks for materials synthesis. Employing iClick technology permits rapid access to materials with diverse properties. Next-generation photovoltaics with high efficiencies that are flexible will require iClick technology for their synthesis. Access to iClick technology to synthesize organometallopolymers will provide a competitive advantage as current state of the art materials that employ metals or organic polymers alone reach their maximum efficiency.