Browsing by Author "Mabindisa, Rorisang"

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    Nanostructured materials for sustainable next generation organic solar cells
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Mabindisa, Rorisang; Ross, Natasha
    Many researchers are conducting their studies that are centred on using solar energy to generate electricity due to the developing interest in solar energy. One of the most promising options to reduce the cost of manufacturing photovoltaic cells and increase power conversion efficiency in the framework of solar energy is hybrid photovoltaics, which combines organic molecules and nanomaterials. Photovoltaic cells become significant in this regard. Most of the commercially accessible photovoltaic cells currently are made of inorganic materials, which are expensive to produce and include harmful compounds. Because of these factors, organic photovoltaic cells have an advantage over their inorganic counterparts. In this research project, we concentrated on synthesising new donor nanostructured materials for use in organic photovoltaic cells. A range of characterisation techniques were used to confirm and analyse the compounds that are commercially available with the newly as-synthesised compound.
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    Organic nanostructured materials for sustainable application in next generation solar cells
    (MPDI, 2021) Mabindisa, Rorisang; Tambwe, Kevin; Mciteka, Lulama
    Meeting our current energy demands requires a reliable and efficient renewable energy source that will bring balance between power generation and energy consumption. Organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), perovskite solar cells and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are among the next-generation technologies that are progressing as potential sustainable renewable energy sources. Since the discoveries of highly conductive organic charge-transfer compounds in the 1950s, organic semiconductors have captured attention. Organic photovoltaic solar cells possess key characteristics ideal for emerging next-generation technologies such as being nontoxic, abundant, an inexpensive nanomaterial with ease of production, including production under ambient conditions. In this review article, we discuss recent methods developed towards improving the stability and average efficiency of nanostructured materials in OPVs aimed at sustainable agriculture and improve land-use efficiency. A comprehensive overview on developing cost-effective and user-friendly organic solar cells to contribute towards improved environmental stability is provided. We also summarize recent advances in the synthetic methods used to produce nanostructured active absorber layers of OPVs with improved efficiencies to supply the energy required towards ending poverty and protecting the planet