Making solar energy more sustainable with light-powered technology Published on: 16 November 2021 Technology using a new generation of hybrid solar cells is one step closer to mass-production, thanks to Â鶹´«Ã½-led research. An international team of scientists have identified a new process using coordination materials that can accelerate the use of low-cost, Earth-abundant materials with the potential to transform the energy sector by replacing silicone-based solar panels. Publishing their results in the journal Chem, the team, led by Â鶹´«Ã½ and colleagues from Uppsala University in Sweden and University of Naples Federico II, Italy, developed dynamic dimeric copper complexes using tetradentate ligands (the ligands that bind four donor atoms). These new copper systems offer a novel combination of fast charge transport in an unprecedented two-electron redox mechanism while inhibiting carrier recombination after disproportionation. The dynamic dimer system represents a new generation of efficient redox mediators for molecular devices. It can help power photovoltaic devices with minimal voltage losses, with comparably low reorganization energies and recombination rates. Study co-lead, Dr Marina Freitag, from Â鶹´«Ã½’s School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, said: “The majority of progress toward the goal of using low-cost and abundant materials has come from improving light-absorbing materials. Charge transfer issues remain a barrier to widespread adoption of this solar technology, and this is the challenge that our research addresses.” Study co-lead, Prof Ana Belén Muñoz-Garcia, from University of Naples Federico II, said “This work proves that fundamental research combining experiments and theory can provide solid scientific grounds to optimize materials and interfaces for renewable energy technologies with real impact on the society" Reference Dynamic Dimer Copper Coordination Redox Shuttles Iacopo Benesperi, Hannes Michaels, Tomas Edvinsson, Michele Pavonee, Michael R. Probert, Paul Waddell, Ana Belén Muñoz-Garcia, Marina Freitag Chem: DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.10.017 Dr Iacopo Benesperi (left) and Hannes Michaels holding a model of the complexes Share: Latest News Volunteers help turn Whitley Bay beach into maths experiment Members of the public joined mathematicians from Â鶹´«Ã½ to create what organisers believe is the largest aperiodic tiling ever attempted on Whitley Bay beach. published on: 15 June 2026 Student leader drives misogyny law change A Â鶹´«Ã½ student leader has helped change the law after creating a petition to make misogyny a hate crime, which gathered over 114,000 signatures, prompting action in Parliament. published on: 12 June 2026 Freemen of Â鶹´«Ã½ see construction of new Castle Leazes The Freemen of Â鶹´«Ã½ and other key stakeholders have become an indelible part of new student accommodation at Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Castle Leazes. published on: 12 June 2026 Facts and figures
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