July 28, 2025

Illinois University's New Materials Development Program Expected to Promote Photovoltaic Cell Conversion Efficiency

According to Lane Martin, an assistant professor in materials science and engineering at the University of Illinois in the U.S., the key to advancing solar energy conversion systems lies in creating more efficient solutions that maximize the use of sunlight. Martin explained, “This represents a completely new approach to material design. With these materials, we can imagine a future where clean fuels are produced without carbon emissions, while also addressing wastewater purification and environmental remediation.” Researchers have found that titanium dioxide and other metal oxides can significantly enhance the absorption of visible light, leading to better utilization of the solar spectrum in energy applications. By integrating condensed physics, semiconductor device engineering, and photochemistry, Martin’s team developed a high-performance solar photocatalyst that combines these two materials effectively. However, one major challenge in oxide-based photovoltaic or photocatalytic systems is the limited ability of wide bandgap materials to absorb visible light. Among the candidates, anatase titanium dioxide stands out due to its chemical stability, affordability, and non-toxic nature, making it a widely studied photocatalyst. Despite this, the presence of light-absorbing dyes in dye-sensitized solar cells often hinders the performance of these materials by reducing their visible light absorption. Sungki Lee, one of the authors of the study, noted, “Our observations suggest that the unusual electronic structure of SrRuO3 contributes to its suboptimal optical properties. However, when combined with titanium dioxide, it significantly improves visible light absorption and enhances photocatalytic activity.” As shown in the image, SrRuO3 exhibits strong visible light absorption—75 times greater than that of TiO2. The compatibility between TiO2 and SrRuO3 allows for the formation of heterojunctions that boost both photocatalytic and photovoltaic performance through carrier injection. Lee added, “SrRuO3 is an electronic oxide with metallic properties, including temperature-dependent electrical conductivity and ferromagnetic behavior. It can serve as an effective conductive electrode in metal oxide heterostructures.” By combining SrRuO3 with TiO2 using light-induced carrier injection, the researchers created a novel heterostructure. This structure not only displays unique optical properties but also enhances photoelectrochemical performance, offering a promising pathway to improve photocatalyst efficiency and expand the potential of other metal oxides. The research opens up new possibilities for developing visible-light-sensitive materials and has led to a U.S. provisional patent application. The work was supported by the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER), the University of Kyushu in Japan, and the University of Illinois. Professor Petros Sofronis from the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois commented, “The I2CNER project brings together some of the top energy researchers globally.” He added, “The success of the Martin Research Group demonstrates that I2CNER is more than just an international collaboration—it reflects a global commitment to green innovation, reducing CO2 emissions, advancing fundamental science, and developing sustainable energy technologies.”

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