Environment

Moth eyes inspire more efficient photoelectrochemical cells

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Illustration of the "moth eye" solar cell (Illustration: Empa)
Florent Boudoire tests the functioning of his photoelectrode in a sunlight simulator (Photo: Empa)
How the moth eye solar cell functions (Illustration: Empa)
Illustration of the "moth eye" solar cell (Illustration: Empa)
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As nocturnal creatures, moths need to maximize how well they can see in the dark whilst remaining less visible to avoid predators. This ability to collect as much of the available light as possible and at the same time reflect as little as possible, has inspired Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) to design a new type of photoelectrochemical cell using relatively low cost materials.

Photosynthesis turns light energy into chemical energy by splitting water atoms into hydrogen and oxygen. In recent years much effort has gone into developing artificial photosynthesis, with many researchers trying varied methods to generate the cheap and clean energy, but the process has not yet been perfected.

Florent Boudoire tests the functioning of his photoelectrode in a sunlight simulator (Photo: Empa)

Simple, unlovely rust – iron oxide – could potentially hold the key to realizing cheap, effective photoelectrochemical cells which mimic photosynthesis. Rust absorbs high energy frequencies of sunlight, but because it is a poor conductor only a very thin coating of can be used in the cell design, which in turn inhibits collection of sunlight. But when iron oxide is covered with a thin layer of tungsten oxide the two elements form a kind of double mirror bouncing light back and forth until all has been absorbed.

That's where the moth-inspired microstructure comes in. Empa researchers Florent Boudoire and Artur Braun took a sheet of glass sprayed with a suspension of plastic particles containing a drop of tungsten salt solution. This was then placed in an oven to burn away the plastic leaving only the tungsten, which is then sprayed with an iron salt solution and fired once more to create the double layered absorption sheet – or light-trapping "moth eye."

How the moth eye solar cell functions (Illustration: Empa)

One goal of these experiments is a more clear understanding of how much tungsten oxide contributes to the photo current versus iron oxide. A perfect ratio will ensure the highest efficiency and research is ongoing to perfect the recipe for the perfect moth eye solar cell recipe.

Source: Empa

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2 comments
BT
I theorized such a light trapping mirror similar to this about 3-4 years ago. It's not only important to photosynthesis but solar(thermal or electric) and concentration of any beam.
MonacoJim
So did I. I also theorised pyramid shaped tea bags and V tread tyres for rain clearing. Interestingly, I conceived of the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean ride as a Hollywood film. But because I wasnt in a position to influence their production I got no credit. hey ho thats life, there is always gizmag to make a record for posterity.