Ionics and Fotovoltaics

Opublikowano: 05.04.2014 20:31

Subject name Ionics and Fotovoltaics
Type of subject               Specialization
Summary ECTS 3
Form of course 30h lecture, 15h laboratory
Lecturer                           Wojciech Wróbel, Ph.D.
A brief outline:
Lecture
  • Introduction to solid state physics, atomic bonds, crystal lattices.
  • Band theory of solids, metals, insulators, semiconductors.
  • The electrical conductivity of semiconductors. Doped semiconductors.
  • Properties of p-n junction. Semiconductor devices. Principle of operation and characteristics of the diode. Photodiodes and light-emitting diodes.
  • Solar cells - construction, efficiency and the use of photovoltaics.
  • Materials for photovoltaic cells. Methods of characterization of materials and photovoltaic cells.
  • Metal contact voltage; thermocouple and Peltier devices.
  • The galvanic cell. Construction of cells, electrode reactions. Batteries. Electroplated coating. Corrosion.
  • Ionic conductors. Defects and their impact on the physical properties of crystalline electrolytes; polycrystals. Amorphous solid electrolytes, polymers and glasses.
  • Proton, oxide and lithium ion conductors. Electrical properties of solid electrolytes, diffusion and ion mobility; Arrhenius and VTF type dependence. Mixed conductivity.
  • Electrode materials for rechargeable cells and fuel cells. Intercalation processes. Properties of electrolyte/electrode interface. Polarization effects, the reversibility of electrodes.
  • Supercapacitors - principle of operation, electrode materials and reactions, electrolyte materials. Design and performance of supercapacitor devices.
  • Characterization techniques for ionic conductors. Impedance spectroscopy, impedance diagrams, electrical equivalent circuit, relaxation phenomena.
  • Electrochemical characterization of solid electrolytes. Transference numbers measurement methods. Characterization of electrochemical cells.
  • Electrochemical and photovoltaic cells as a source of energy. Evaluation of existing technologies, energy development prospects. Other applications of ionic conductors: sensors and electrochromic devices.