What is Nanionics?• Nanoionics centers on the manipulation of space

charge at ionic interfaces or junctions to control ionic conduction.

Our Vision:• Explore/exploit nanoionic effects to create the

next generation of ionic materials/devices.

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Renewable Energy Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (REMRSEC)Renewable Energy Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (REMRSEC)NSF MRSEC NSF MRSEC DMR-0820518DMR-0820518

P. C. Taylor, R. T. Collins, A. Herring, C. Koh. B. Olds (Co-PI’s)P. C. Taylor, R. T. Collins, A. Herring, C. Koh. B. Olds (Co-PI’s)

IRG2: Advanced Membranes for Energy Applications

Membranes play a critical role in renewable energy technologies

Current membranes are a weak link in many applications

A fundamental understanding of ionic transport is essential to make transformative changes in membrane materials

IRG1: Materials for Next Generation Photovoltaics

PV electric power today is more expensive than coal

Incremental changes in materials will not get us where we need to go

A fundamental understanding of nanostructured and other PV materials is essential to make transformative changes in solar panelsThis goal requires understanding and controlling carrier relaxation rates in quantum confined systems

Seed Project: Clathrate Hydrates and Silicon Clathrates for Storage of Fuels

Current storage materials are a weak link in all applicationsA fundamental understanding of the incorporation of guest molecules in clathrate hydrates is essential to make transformative changes in these storage materials

• Outreach to students and the community

• Promotion of diversity in faculty, students, and future students

REMRSEC Vision

Research and Engineering

• Innovative and transformative research and engineering on materials for renewable energy applications

Human Resource Development

• Education of the next generation of renewable energy professionals

Goals: Education, Human Resources, and Diversity

• Prepare undergraduate and graduate students to embark on careers in

• renewable energy fields• Provide undergraduate and graduate students with

research experiences in renewable energy• Expose K-12 teachers and students to concepts of

renewable energy• Improve the recruitment and retention of female and

minority undergraduate and graduate students and faculty

Accomplishments: Education, Human Resources, and Diversity

• Development of Renewable Energy Minor• Successful REU program in renewable energy• Successful K-12 teacher workshop on renewable

energy curricula• First joint RFEMRSEC-NREL hire

c-Si

Collect Particles onto a Substrate

Control Particle Size & Distribution

Growth of 3-D Superlattice Structures

Synthesize Nanoparticles

Embed Particles in an Oxide Matrix

Decouple Nanocrystal Synthesis from Matrix Encapsulation Process

0 200 400 600 800

Ram

an In

tens

ity (a.

u.)

Raman Shift (cm-1)

509 cm-1

Si phonon peak

Size Control of Si NCs

• Blue shift observed due to decrease in Si NC core size due to oxication

•

600 700 800 900 1000

PL

Inte

nsity

(a.

u.)

Wavelength (nm)

after 24 hrs as-synthesized

(eV)2.2 2 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2

600 700 800 900 1000

PL

Inte

nsi

ty (

a. u

.)

Wavelength (nm)

1 W 3 W 10 W 15 W

DecreasingRF Power

(eV)2.2 2 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2

Change in PL peak position with rf power: Si NC size decreases with increasing power

UV

off

UV

on

SiOx

Organic Photovoltaics

• ZnO nanowire/polymer bulk heterojunctions OPVs• Interface functionalization and device optimization• New organic absorbers (dendrimers) and acceptors (trimetaspheres)• Manufacturable deposition techniques – inkjet, spray

without ODT

with ODT

Addressing Ionic Transport via Nanoionics

“Superionoc” Hybrid Overview

• “Ionic hybrids” - Novel composite ionic • materials based on combination of proton • conducting oxides and hydrogen permeable • metals

• Work function difference between the oxide • and metal creates space charge layer• Enhance proton conductivity

Schematic diagram of Schematic diagram of diffusion of protons in the diffusion of protons in the

SCLSCL

Ionic Transistor: Proof-Of Concept

• Macro-scale room temperature ionic FET has been built

• Modulation of ionic conductivity analogous to electronic FET

• Provides proof-of-concept • Utilize to verify/study the effects of nanoionic

space charge phenomena• Research plan for Micro-scale solid state

ionic FET

ModelingIRG1: Materials for Next Generation Photovoltaics

PV electric power today is more expensive than coal

Incremental changes in materials will not get us where we need to go

A fundamental understanding of nanostructured and other PV materials is essential to make transformative changes in solar panelsThis goal requires understanding and controlling carrier relaxation rates in quantum confined systems

Renewable Energy Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (REMRSEC)Renewable Energy Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (REMRSEC)NSF MRSEC NSF MRSEC DMR-0820518DMR-0820518

P. C. Taylor, R. T. Collins, A. Herring, C. Koh. B. Olds (Co-PI’s)P. C. Taylor, R. T. Collins, A. Herring, C. Koh. B. Olds (Co-PI’s)

IRG2: Advanced Membranes for Energy Applications

Membranes play a critical role in renewable energy technologies

Current membranes are a weak link in many applications

A fundamental understanding of ionic transport is essential to make transformative changes in membrane materials

IRG1: Materials for Next Generation Photovoltaics

PV electric power today is more expensive than coal

Incremental changes in materials will not get us where we need to go

A fundamental understanding of nanostructured and other PV materials is essential to make transformative changes in solar panels

This goal requires understanding and controlling carrier relaxation rates in quantum confined systems

Seed Project: Clathrate Hydrates and Silicon Clathrates for Storage of Fuels

Storage plays a critical role in renewable energy technologies

Current storage materials are a weak link in all applications

A fundamental understanding of the incorporation of guest molecules in clathrate hydrates is essential to make transformative changes in these storage materials

• Outreach to students and the community

• Promotion of diversity in faculty, students, and future students

REMRSEC VisionResearch and Engineering

• Innovative and transformative research and engineering on materials for renewable energy applications

Human Resource Development

• Education of the next generation of renewable energy professionals