Characterization and Development of Advanced Materials: Role & Understanding of Interfacial Phenomena (Congressional)
Abstract
The overall work focused on Nanophase Enhanced Optical Devices. Two projects Transparent Ceramics for Infrared Window and Laser Applications, and Broadband-Absorbing Polymer-Metal Nanocomposites for Photovoltaic Applications comprised this effort. The objectives for the first project were (i) to fabricate transparent yttria ceramics from commercially available nanopowder with a grain size significantly smaller than 100 micrometer and a transmittance in the infrared close to the theoretical maximum; and (ii) to fabricate polycrystalline Er,Yb:Y(2)O(3) ceramics, suitable as solid-state laser materials in the eye- safe wavelength range. The objective for the second project was to fabricate an organic photovoltaic device that absorbs solar radiation between 400 nm and 2500 nm and has a power conversion efficiency of 5% or better. A research laboratory was set up to synthesize, process, and characterize ceramic materials and polymer-metal nanocomposites. A transparent yttria ceramic with an average grain size of about 20 micrometer and good optical transparency was prepared and characterized. Yttria nanoparticles codoped with erbium and ytterbium were successfully prepared and characterized. Polymer-metal nanocomposites were successfully prepared and it was demonstrated that their absorption spectrum can be tailored to match the solar radiation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA477244
Entities
People
- Gregory Exarhos
- Hergen Eilers
- Santanu Chaudhuri
- Yogendra Gupta
Organizations
- Washington State University