The Eighth Conference on Scientific Research in Jordan ‫المؤتمر الثامن للبحث العلمي في األردن‬

Applications of Nanotechnology in Solar Energy and

Energy Storage Sectors
Jamal A. Hameed Amer T. Saeed
College of Petroleum &MineralsEng. College of Petroleum & Minerals Eng.
Control of petroleum systems Dept. Control of petroleum systems Dept.
Tikrit University/ Iraq Tikrit University/ Iraq
Jamalhamed2000@gmail.com asaee2@unh.newhaven.edu

Abstract:

Nanotechnology is the fifth generation technique that has emerged in the world of
electronics/electric and it offers the ability to make everything you imagined rights at a small size,
low cost and high quality. This capability will be the key for scientific progress and will change the
signs of life in ways that may not be able to human perception. The production and the detection
using this technology in the next few years will be equivalent more than what has been discovered
since the starting of this technology.

Nanotechnology is a technique made on the nanometer scale, which is more precise unit of
measurement metric known (nm) and a length of one billionth of a meter which equivalent to ten
times the unit atomic measurement known Angstrom. Nanotechnology have been used in many
applications, for example nanomaterial, solar energy and energy storage fields. The use of
nanotechnology in the coming years will grow rapidly, and can actually lead to improve the
efficiency of materials and lower manufacturing costs. Thus it can produce cheaper solar cells in
the future and increase battery storage capacity or the age of the solar cells.

In this paper, authors have studied the nanotechnology in solar energy, and energy storage
with the importance of nanotechnology in both sectors. Due to the expected increase in the demand
and the large expansion of renewable energy, nanotechnology has been in the forefront of
capabilities. One of the main conclusions of this study is that using nanotechnology in solar energy
and energy storage will increase the production of electricity to the network with low cost.

Key words: nanotechnology, Solar cells, Photovoltaic cells, Electric energy storage

I. Introduction
Nanotechnology is a major technology in the 21st century, which is used for different
operations on very small dimensions. The spatial functional structures indicate below eleven million
meters (100 nm) that are opened for processes and new horizons in many areas. These include
advanced materials and applications that can contribute to sustainable energy supply and efficient

Scientific Research (SR) ©JR2017

 Applications of Nanotechnology in Solar Energy and Energy Storage Sectors

use of energy systems. In terms of new discoveries, the materials play a very important role in Nano
science.

Another definition for Nanotechnology is a technology of technological transition and

scientific progress in various fields and not short time[1]. There is still enormous potential for what
has been done more precisely in the preparation of recent years and control of Nano scale designs.
Implementation of this experiment has been a top priority in long-term energy re-investment cycles.
To realize the potential, perhaps the biggest problem in the future for mankind, sustainable energy
supplies to deal with new solutions. In order to create a sustainable energy system, it is necessary
to convert physical flows into closed circuits associated with energy consumption by the people.

The impact of energy technologies on the environment is the main issue, and on the far
horizon, self-regulated Nano systems will perform combined functions such as solar conversion and
fuel production. The need to intensify demand can only be achieved through the development of
sustainable energy sources in addition to the current climate changes resulting from the increasing
demand for energy, particularly through the development of so-called emerging economies.

The systems of power generation, storage, transmission, conversion and the effective use of
suitable forms of energy can be very complex, because they continue the processes; also the
dimensions and time scales vary over several orders. Here, the contribution of basic research and in
particular the process of staying strongly and often interest in formulating the research agenda
comes through the consideration of the entire value chain development, ranging from fundamental
research insights to the requirements of component and industry manufacturers. This was reinforced
at the end of 2007 at the conference "Nanotechnology for Sustainable Energy Supply" in Berlin
motivated by about 100 experts in the fields of science and industries and they were discussing
nanoparticles that could be used for future energy supplies. In this conference, specific topics were
raised, focusing in particular on the potential of the use of nanotechnology components, through the
ability to build new knowledge (expanding scientific horizons), international competition and,
accordingly, possible improvement and cost reduction. The linkages in the sustainable energy
system are:
• Solar cells
• Electric energy storage
• Heat storage and heat transformation
• Heat insulation
• Fuel cells

Germany is the world's leading nanotechnology innovation center and is the first place to
target further development of energy-use technologies. The use of nanotechnology is part of
industrial environmental policy and has created real opportunities for future conservation and
energy efficiency in the field of Renewable energy. This study addressed the key questions of the
visions and potential of nanotechnology, current technical and scientific developments, national and
 Dr. Jamal A. Hameed Mr. Amer T. Saeed

international trends, existing strengths and expertise, requirements and factors of success, major
challenges, global synergies, priority and effective implementation [2,3].

II. Basis of nanotechnology application

The following data appear on the basis of nanotechnology application projects in the energy
sector, applications have been allocated to three areas in nanotechnology: Nanomaterials,
Nanostructures, Nano structuring as explain in Figure 1.

Nanotechnologies

Nanomaterials Nano structuring

Nanostructures
 Energy storage
 Photovoltaic  Photovoltaic
 Bio mimetic
 Coatings  Further projects (Tribology /
 Carbon Nan tubes
 Construction technology Environment / Analytics)
 General
 Fuel cells
• Sensors

Figure 1: The basis of nanotechnology application projects in the energy sector

A- Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials, especially their surfaces, contain fine particulate matter (Nano powders) and
form structures that can transfer new properties to traditional base materials. If the material
particles are reduced to a nanometer range, many of their properties change. For example,
nanoparticle has lower melting temperature, much less lower thermal conductivity, and change
electrical properties compared with larger particles of the same material. The properties of
variable particle size materials are now used to provide nanoparticles and coatings with specific
properties, for example, "Installation and application of mono-crystalline titanium dioxide
particles for rechargeable batteries", high battery performance (voltage, cycle charge times). Li-
ion battery electrodes are optimized using 5-15μm (industrial control) particles, which are made of
powder dioxide pipe.

B- Nanostructures

Material surfaces and spatial objects, which are structured in the nanometer range, are
characterized by their large surface area, which is in contact with their surroundings. Nanostructured
surfaces and spatial objects thus enable a particularly fine-grained interaction with the adjacent
 Applications of Nanotechnology in Solar Energy and Energy Storage Sectors

medium, which means that certain already

existing material properties, e.g. Water
repellency can intensify (lotus effect).
However, specific structures in the
nanometer range can also produce new
effects, e.g. Special light scattering effects
(diffraction) at interfaces which can be used
for solar cells in order to distribute sunlight as Figure 2 HBP-based synthesis (+ model compounds)
homogeneously as possible in the
semiconductor material and to make surfaces translucent or reflective. Many energetic losses also
have their causes in the interaction of materials on the length scale of the nanometer as shown in
Figure 2.

C- Nano structuring

The field of Nano structuring comprises technologies that can be used to produce two-
dimensional and three-dimensional nanostructures. For example, such nanostructures were
generated with laser radiation on textile fabrics. The corresponding process is called laser ablation
in the specialist language and can be used for the
production of nanostructures on a wide variety of
materials as shown in Figure 3. Likewise, finest
structures in the nanometer range can be
constructed by material depositions with the aid
of Focused Electron Beams (FEB / FIB).
However, there are also Chemical Vapor
Deposition processes (CVD) with which finest
Figure 3 Nanostructures for Optical Devices and elements
nanostructures and particles (for example carbon NODE
nanotubes, Nano powders) can be produced.
Biomimetic is interesting area of technology that includes methods by which nanostructures of
natural materials are used. The natural material is being replaced by a suitable material for a
particular application, e.g. ceramic material. Finally, Nano replication involves methods by which
large-area nanostructures can be produced by special stamping techniques. Such methods, which
enable Nano structuring of objects to a large extent, are an important basis for cost reductions and
the widespread use of nanostructured products in the energy sector [4, 5].
 Dr. Jamal A. Hameed Mr. Amer T. Saeed

III. Functional principles and use of technology for power supply

A- Application technologies in the solar energy field

Solar energy has significant potential in renewable energy sources, and among renewable
energy technologies, photovoltaic are particularly interesting for their supply patterns. Therefore,
in addition to large power plants, smaller decentralized photovoltaic modules can be applied.
Photovoltaic cells have evolved into an important industrial sector in the last few years, with
exceptional speed and tremendous growth rates, which are also similar prospects for the future. This
requires a particularly strong interaction between industry and research, as well as a certain degree
of risk with regard to barriers to entry. Because unilateral, inappropriate or excessive expectations
of poorly developed concepts can certainly damage the solar cell sector in a sustainable way. At
this point, the necessary balance, and at short intervals, must be made an intensive comparison of
the reference points and evaluate the experiences respectively.

Nanotechnology can be used to develop alternative materials and manufacturing methods to

produce cells with customized absorption properties, while retaining acceptable conversion
efficiencies (10% -15%) and lower cost simultaneously. Examples include second-generation
photovoltaic systems. Other technologies called emerging photovoltaic technologies or third-
generation organic solar cells and solar cells of quantum dots. In the case of the fourth generation
of solar cells, a layer of semiconductor microchips with gaps in the changing energies and
semiconductor sensors, where surface-mounting techniques are used. These types of advanced solar
cells are called sensitized dye cells, and an important role of nanotechnology in photovoltaic energy
is to improve the management of energy and light in cells, thus increasing their efficiency.

B- Photovoltaic cells:

Solar modules play a crucial role in future energy scenarios. The technological development of
solar energy storage is almost limited to converting it into electrical energy using optical effect and
one of the most promising ways. The photovoltaic industry has developed worldwide marked
fingerprints in recent years, and more than 90% of photovoltaic units currently sold worldwide rely
on solar silicon cells, and the efficiency of the unit is within 15%.

Although the cost of these units in recent years has declined continuously, solar energy is still
expensive. For this reason, the search for solar cells as well as the concepts of future generations is
mainly aimed two directions: reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The use of nanoparticles in
photovoltaic cells is a hot topic in every sense of the research strategy as well as in the context of
energy policy. The specific goal is to develop solar cells with significant savings in materials (for
example, by thin-film cells, solar cells, or mixed organic solar cells) with very high efficiencies and
low system cost. Nanotechnology applications have been increasingly evolving in different regions,
making the advantage of nanomaterials different. These new technologies support sustainable
development in many areas such as renewable energy, 3D structures, medical materials, biology,
 Applications of Nanotechnology in Solar Energy and Energy Storage Sectors

computer science, etc. They are characterized by minimal material consumption, low power
consumption and features Sustainable development, high thermal efficiency, low friction losses,
and solar cells for artificial light.

With improved daytime efficiency, nanotechnology today offers significant contributions and
individual functions in the energy sector [4]. Photovoltaic systems have the advantage that they can
be built in any size and almost anywhere. Even
electricity can be produced where it is
consumed. This current should not be
transferred by public power grids, if the solar
battery is removed from the feeder and stored.
This provides even after sunset solar energy
available. This type of transformation has a
significant positive impact on the entire energy
system. Switching to affordable renewable
energy for all citizens, because electricity
networks can no longer be a major expansion
[6,7]. Studies have shown that network
expansion at best can be half as illustrated in
Figure 4. Storage battery also contributes to
the maintenance of unified voltage and
frequency of power grids. By using the storage
of solar power plants, self-consumer can Figure 4: Use of solar energy even after sunset.
provide more than double the share of solar
energy, self-generated form 1. This is useful for more people, because the solar energy of your solar
system is already almost half of the electricity price of the national electricity company. According
to a study conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Systems, electricity supplies will be
reduced by up to 60 percent in a family home with photovoltaic power system and battery storage.
These generators make solar power more independent of high electricity prices and can be sure that
the family will consume more energy-friendly environment.

IV- What visions exist for nanotechnology?

A solar cell with the highest efficiency does not necessarily require new Nano technological
components. The only requirement is a multiple solar cell made of semiconductor materials with
graded band gap, each with high absorption constants and sufficiently high mobility. The III-V class
of semiconductors meets these requirements almost perfectly. Correspondingly, (quadruple) tandem
solar cells with efficiencies greater than 40% are currently available from this material system,
essentially without the use of any nanotechnology. The added value that a visionary solar cell has
to deliver through the use of nanotechnology, therefore, its (much) lower price and the (much)
 Dr. Jamal A. Hameed Mr. Amer T. Saeed

higher availability of the starting materials compared to the possibilities of the established III-V
technology presented above.

Figure 5 shows the somewhat speculative vision of a genuinely Nano technological solar
cell using a series of elements from categories 2 to 4 (Table 1, next section). The core is light
absorption by quantum dots (category 4). By reducing the electron-phonon interaction,
thermalization of high-energy electronic excitations so far minimize and then a separation of the
electron interactions can occur before their thermalization. This charge separation takes place on a
very small length scale (category 2) and is facilitated by the optimized light coupling (category 3)
so that the entire absorber thickness can be reduced to a minimum. Finally, the photons, which have
not yet been used, are converted from the long-wave range of the solar spectrum into higher-energy
photons, then again fed into the absorber and convert into electrical energy. In principle, such a
solar cell can have efficiencies above 40% [8,9]. However, key physical key functions of this solar
cell such as the separation of multi-excitons or the substantial conversion from long-wave to short-
wave photons (up-conversion) are not verified experimentally. Enable more specific targets to be
before - subconsciously aware of the cell shown in Figure 5, sometimes still insightful. This usually
places components on current photovoltaic techniques. The target is extremely difficult with a
longer time horizon than side by side or triple solar cells based on the motion blade material with
the current mainstream silicon chip technology.

Optical elements:

Figure 5: Speculative, all-Nano 'solar cell for the illustration of some possible Nano technological elements for
photovoltaics.

In Figure5 the reflection is minimized by a nanoscale transition of the refractive index. A

directional filter maximizes the optical path extension within the absorber. On the backside, a
grating coupler provides a coupling of the incident light into the flattest possible modes. In their
near field, metal nanoparticles provide for a field over-elevation for the use of nonlinear optical
effects (eg conversion from long-wave to short-wave light, up-conversion). The photonic material
on the back reduces reflection losses to a minimum near zero (negative index reflector). Electronic
elements: The absorber consists of semiconductor nanoparticles, whose reduced photon density
reduces thermalization and thus allows the generation of multi-excitons from high-energy photons
 Applications of Nanotechnology in Solar Energy and Energy Storage Sectors

of the solar spectrum. These multi-excitons are separated on a length scale of a few nm into two or
more electron-hole pairs (down-conversion).

Here you can use real size quantum effects, for example, using Quantum Si / SiO2 structures
to identify appropriate band gaps [10,11]. However, the goal of competencies greater than 30%
requires the characteristics of tailor materials to actually contradict the requirements of efficient
separation of charge with the necessary for the quantum effects of the consolidation of monetary
settlement. It can make it possible; first, reduce the absorption thickness necessary to a minimum.
This is necessary with low-cost materials with low mobility, but also in the new concepts mentioned
above the absorption is discussed with low ability to charge separation. Second, the conversion
down is even - a better energy use than non-current photons or short-wave photons. In this area, the
main components of nanotechnology such as B can provide nanoparticles.

The timely insights will be evident for the second class technologies: organic and hybrid
solar cells, which provide nanotechnology equipment component is less powerful demands on the
system and perfect. In the next five years, the GIC should be a technology that stands within the
main standards of solar cells "life", in general, has mastered a large number of elements of
nanotechnology equipment (e.g., quantum wells, photovoltaic, or zeolite is not yet mentioned ).
However, a useful introduction to the photovoltaic device for most of these components has not yet
been shown [11,12]. A similar challenge arose even with the potential to use quantum dots to
produce multiple acetones from high-energy photons.

V. What nanotechnology solutions are already being implemented, which

one is still needed in photovoltaic cells?

In order to answer this question, a definition is first made of the areas in which an
improvement of photovoltaic components is conceivable, with the help of which of the various
branches of nanotechnology. Four categories are identified (Table 1), and currently being worked
on the R & D level. The first category concerns the occasional use of nanotechnology on the
periphery of the solar cell, for example, contact making but also in the production of absorber
materials from nanoparticles. These applications are primarily aimed at reducing costs during
manufacturing and are already being used in many cases.

For the categories 2 to 4, the necessity for the use of nanotechnology is defined by the
respective concept. The use of low-mobility photovoltaic absorber materials (category 2) makes
charge carrier separation on a length scale of typically ten nm a necessity. In addition, the usually
high absorption constant of these materials permits effective absorber thicknesses of the order of
100 nm. Absorber materials are a typical example of this two fold limitation of the geometry of the
solar cells on the nm scale. However, also amorphous silicon belongs to the upper end of this
category due to the low charge carrier motifs and with absorption lengths of a few 100 nm.
 Dr. Jamal A. Hameed Mr. Amer T. Saeed

The third category of Nano technological options relates to the optics of the solar cell. Any
manipulation of incident sunlight to improve the coupling of light and to extend the optical path
beyond geometric optics requires structures of the order of magnitude of the wavelength of the light
and thus a Nano technological approach [13,14]. Most of these concepts are characterized by the
fact that they are additive, H. before or behind a solar cell and thus do not interfere with the
electronic processes in the actual absorber material or with its production. However, integrated
concepts are also conceivable.

For the fourth category, the name "quantum technology" was coined in the workshop. This
category includes the use of real quantum-size effects in the photovoltaic absorber material. These
concepts are generally aimed at very high efficiencies beyond the classical Shockley-Queisser
boundary. The use of quantum-size effects allows the targeted design of the electronic properties of
absorber materials, For example, the setting of an effective bandgap for tandem solar cells or the
minimization of electron-phonon interaction.

Table1: Four categories for the application of nanotechnology in photovoltaic

Category 1. Supporting 2. Nano geometry 3. Photon 4.quantum

Nanotechnology management technology
(Photonics)

application Peripheral elements, Low-µ Absorber improvement of the Absorber with very
manufacture light input high

degree of ➔ ➔ increasingly ➔➔
order

Aim Cost reduction η ~10-15% Increase of η η > 20 %

Increase of η

time frame Currently 5-15 years 5-15 years > 10 years

Need for action Analytics and modeling

Scalability Proof of Concept

In this Table, Four categories for the application of nanotechnology in photovoltaic, its
application potential, the typical length scales and the timeframe in which industrial applications
are to be expected. The need for action for the first two categories is to demonstrate their scalability
industrial processes with low costs and relevant degrees of efficiency. For categories 3 and 4, the
physical feasibility of the concept itself must first be demonstrated. There is a great need for action
in all categories with appropriate analysis and quantitative modeling of the elementary processes as
well as the building elements.
 Applications of Nanotechnology in Solar Energy and Energy Storage Sectors

VI. Conclusion
At the present time, available nanotechnology solar cells are not as effective as
conventional ones, but the cost of this compensation is low. In the long term, nanotechnology
versions should be less expensive and able to reach higher levels of efficiency than conventional
levels. Nanotechnology may be able to increase the efficiency of solar cells, but the promising
application of nanotechnology is [10]:

1) Reducing manufacturing cost.

2) Solar cells that will use nanotechnology, inexpensive, help to preserve the environment and
reduce pollution.
3) That demand for electricity in these areas is not high, and this is the ideal situation for solar.
4) The important role of nanotechnology in photovoltaic energy is to improve the management of
energy and light in cells, thus increasing their efficiency.

The research emphasized the importance of nanotechnologies in solar energy and storage.
It is commensurate with the recent efforts to contribute to the solution of the "energy challenge".
Evaluating a wide range of analysis and events as they will affect the use of future technologies
and identify developments that can be expected:
o Which applications are most likely to prove to be the most useful and thus draw
research and development behind them, and how the technical capabilities of
nanotechnology products will be able to manufacture and use technology to be
developed?
o What are the impact of global economic and political conditions, favorable and
unfavorable, and the potential consequences of all these forces in the market over
the next fifteen years.

So this research will be great benefit for those who plan to use solar storage, whether they
make products and use these products to generate and store electricity, or regulate the use of
electricity produced.

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 Dr. Jamal A. Hameed Mr. Amer T. Saeed

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