Technological progress is driven by developments in material science. Breakthroughs can happen when a new type of material or new combinations of known materials with different dimensionality and functionality are created. Graphene, because of its many superior materials properties, has the opportunity to enable new products.[1] Graphene is just the first of a new class of two dimensional (2d) crystals, derived from layered bulk crystals.[2] The assembly of such 2d crystals (heterostructures) will provide a rich toolset for the creation of new, customised materials.[1,2] 

Graphene and other 2d crystals are promising materials for energy conversion and storage.[3] A key requirement for these applications is the development of industrial-scale, reliable, inexpensive production processes,[2] while providing a balance between ease of fabrication and final material quality with on-demand properties. 

Solution-processing offers a simple and cost-effective pathway to fabricate various 2d crystal-based photovoltaic devices, presenting huge integration flexibility compared to conventional methods. Here I will present an overview of graphene and other 2d crystals-based photovoltaic devices, from solution processing of the raw bulk materials,[2,3,4,5] the fabrication of large area electrodes and their integration in dye-sensitized solar cells.[6]

References:
[1] A. C. Ferrari, F. Bonaccorso, et al., “Scientific and technological roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems” to appear in Nanoscale (2014). 
[2] F. Bonaccorso, et al., Mater. Today 15, 564 (2012). 
[3] J. Hassoun, F. Bonaccorso, et al. Nano Lett. DOI:10.1021/nl502429m (2014).
[4] O. M. Maragò, F. Bonaccorso, et al. ACS Nano 4, 7515 (2010). 
[5] F. Torrisi, et al. ACS Nano 6, 2992 (2012).
[6] F. Bonaccorso, et al. Nature Photonics 4, 611 (2010).

Technological progress is driven by developments in material science. Breakthroughs can happen when a new type of material or new combinations of known materials with different dimensionality and functionality are created. Graphene, because of its many superior materials properties, has the opportunity to enable new products.[1] Graphene is just the first of a new class of two dimensional (2d) crystals, derived from layered bulk crystals.[2] The assembly of such 2d crystals (heterostructures) will provide a rich toolset for the creation of new, customised materials.[1,2] 

Graphene and other 2d crystals are promising materials for energy conversion and storage.[3] A key requirement for these applications is the development of industrial-scale, reliable, inexpensive production processes,[2] while providing a balance between ease of fabrication and final material quality with on-demand properties. 

Solution-processing offers a simple and cost-effective pathway to fabricate various 2d crystal-based photovoltaic devices, presenting huge integration flexibility compared to conventional methods. Here I will present an overview of graphene and other 2d crystals-based photovoltaic devices, from solution processing of the raw bulk materials,[2,3,4,5] the fabrication of large area electrodes and their integration in dye-sensitized solar cells.[6]

References:
[1] A. C. Ferrari, F. Bonaccorso, et al., “Scientific and technological roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems” to appear in Nanoscale (2014). 
[2] F. Bonaccorso, et al., Mater. Today 15, 564 (2012). 
[3] J. Hassoun, F. Bonaccorso, et al. Nano Lett. DOI:10.1021/nl502429m (2014).
[4] O. M. Maragò, F. Bonaccorso, et al. ACS Nano 4, 7515 (2010). 
[5] F. Torrisi, et al. ACS Nano 6, 2992 (2012).
[6] F. Bonaccorso, et al. Nature Photonics 4, 611 (2010).