Application of activated carbon in solar power generation

As a kind of material with high specific surface area and rich pore structure, activated carbon has been widely used in environmental protection, chemical industry, biomedicine and other fields.

 

As a material with high specific surface area and rich pore structure, activated carbon is widely used in environmental protection, chemical industry and biomedicine. However, in the field of solar power generation, activated carbon also shows important application potential. The following will introduce in detail the various applications and advantages of activated carbon in solar power generation.

Application in solar cells Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are a new type of photovoltaic device. Its working principle is to use photosensitizing dyes to absorb sunlight and generate electrons, and then collect electrons through electrode materials to generate current. Activated carbon is widely used in the counter electrode material of DSSC due to its excellent conductivity and high specific surface area.  

In DSSC, the porous structure of activated carbon can provide a large number of active sites, which helps to improve the adsorption efficiency of dyes.

In addition, the good conductivity of activated carbon helps the rapid transmission of electrons and improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the battery. Compared with traditional platinum electrodes, activated carbon electrodes have the advantages of low cost and simple preparation process, so they have broad prospects in the practical application of DSSC.

Perovskite solar cells Perovskite solar cells have attracted widespread attention due to their high efficiency and low cost. In this type of battery, activated carbon is often used as an electrode material. Its porous structure can provide a good ion and electron transport path, improving the overall performance of the battery.  

The application of activated carbon in perovskite solar cells is mainly reflected in the following aspects:  

Electron transport layer: Activated carbon can be used as an electron transport layer material to increase the electron transfer rate and reduce the electron-hole recombination phenomenon.  

Pore structure: The porous structure of activated carbon can effectively improve the light absorption efficiency of the perovskite layer and enhance the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the battery.   In solar thermal power generation systems, the selection of absorption materials is crucial to improving energy conversion efficiency. Activated carbon has good light absorption properties due to its black surface and high specific surface area, and can effectively absorb and convert solar energy.

Another important application of activated carbon in solar thermal power generation is as a heat storage material. Its porous structure gives it a high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity, which can effectively store and release thermal energy. In solar thermal power generation systems, activated carbon can be used as a carrier of phase change materials to improve the heat storage efficiency and stability of the system.  

In solar photocatalytic reactions, the selection of catalysts is crucial to reaction efficiency. Activated carbon is often used as a carrier of photocatalysts due to its high specific surface area and excellent adsorption performance. Its porous structure can provide a large number of reactive active sites and improve the reaction efficiency of photocatalysts.  

Activated carbon-loaded photocatalysts perform well in degrading organic pollutants. For example, activated carbon-loaded titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysts can effectively degrade organic pollutants in water under ultraviolet light irradiation to achieve efficient water purification.  

In solar electrochemical cells, the performance of electrode materials directly affects the efficiency of the cell. Activated carbon is often used as an electrode material due to its high specific surface area and good conductivity. Its porous structure can increase the ion transfer rate of the battery and enhance the energy density and power density of the battery.  

The application of activated carbon in supercapacitors is also related to solar power generation. Supercapacitors, as an energy storage device, can quickly store and release energy. In solar power generation systems, supercapacitors can be used to store the electricity generated by solar cells and provide stable power output. Activated carbon, as an electrode material for supercapacitors, has excellent energy storage performance and long life.

High specific surface area:

The porous structure of activated carbon provides a large number of reactive sites, which improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency and energy storage performance. Low cost: Compared with other conductive materials such as platinum, activated carbon has low cost and is suitable for large-scale application.

Environmentally friendly:

Activated carbon has a wide range of sources, and the production process is relatively environmentally friendly, which meets the requirements of sustainable development.

Performance stability:

In solar power generation systems, the long-term stability and durability of activated carbon still need further research and optimization. Process optimization: The preparation and modification process of activated carbon needs to be continuously improved to improve its application performance in solar power generation.

Comprehensive performance improvement:

The conductivity, mechanical strength and chemical stability of activated carbon need to be further improved to meet the needs of solar power generation systems. The application of activated carbon in solar power generation covers many aspects from photovoltaic cells, thermal power generation to photocatalysis and electrochemical cells. Its high specific surface area, porous structure and excellent conductivity make it a functional material with great potential. Although there are still some challenges, with the continuous advancement of science and technology, the application prospects of activated carbon in solar power generation will be broader. In the future, through continuous optimization and improvement, activated carbon is expected to play a more important role in promoting the development and application of solar power generation technology.