Organic Electronic

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Organic Electronics (OE) Research Lab

Contact Person:
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad
Faculty of Engineering Sciences,
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology,
Topi, District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 23640, Pakistan

Fax: +92- 938 – 271890
Telephone: +92 – 938-271858 Ext: 2550
Cell #: +92-300-4800595
E-mails: sayyad@giki.edu.pk;  hsayyad62@gmail.com 
Website: http://www.giki.edu.pk/Faculty/Prof-Dr-M-Hassan-Sayyad

In a short period, the organic electronics research lab has produced a large number of MS and PhD students in numerous multidisciplinary areas of laser ablation, solar & thermal energy harvesting, optoelectronics, photonics, organic semiconductors, nanomaterials, etc.

The Students who did their PhD from the Organic Electronics Research Lab

1. Fazal Wahab, 2014, “Thermoelectric, Electrical, and Photonic Properties of Semiconductors” (Supervisor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad)
2. Muhammad Tahir, 2014, “Fabrication and study of organic electronic and optoelectronic devices” (Supervisor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad)
3. Dil Nawaz Khan, 2014, “Electronic and Optoelectronic Studies of Organic Semiconductors” (Supervisor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad)
4. Shahid Mehmood, 2012 “Fabrication and Study of Photovoltaic Devices using Macrocyclic Organic Semiconductors” (Supervisor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad)
5. Zubair Ahmad, 2011 “Fabrication and Study of Metal-Organic Semiconductor-Metal Structures for Applications in Electronics” (Supervisor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad)
6. Fakhira Aziz, 2012 “Investigation of electrical and optoelectronic properties of vanadyl phthalocyanine for organic electronic devices” (Supervisor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Co-supervisor, Prof. Kh. S. Karimov)
7. Imran Murtaza, 2011 “Fabrication and electrical characterization of organic semiconductor phthalocyanine-based devices” (Co-supervisor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Co-supervisor, Prof. Kh. S. Karimov)
8. Mutbarah Shah, 2011“Fabrication and investigation of nickel phthalocyanine based electronic and optoelectronics devices” (Supervisor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Co-supervisor, Prof. Kh. S. Karimov)
9. Muhammad Saleem, 2010 “Investigation of organic materials for the fabrication of electric, electronic and photonic devices” (Supervisor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Co-supervisor, Prof. Kh. S. Karimov)

Onging Research Projects, Research Funding and Research Collaborations

ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS
  • Electronic and optoelectronic studies of formyl metalloporphyrins, free-base 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (TMP) and their metal complexes
  • Electronic and optoelectronic studies of bulk and nanoscaled organic semiconductors
  • Electronic and optoelectronic studies of perylenes
  • Electronic and optoelectronic studies of solution processable organic semiconductors
  • ASE studies in conjugated organic materials
  • Identification/synthesis/characterization of broad spectrum absorbing dyes for organic solar cells and other commercial applications
  • Identification/synthesis/characterization of hole-transport materials for solar cell applications
  • Optimization/synthesis/characterization of potential dyes and hole-transport materials for solar cell applications
  • Fabrication and testing of DSSCs employing alternative counter electrodes and optimized potential dyes and solid-state electrolytes

Research Funding

PROJECT TITLE:

New Approaches for Lower Cost, Longer Stability, and Higher Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. This was one of the only 10 projects selected from among the 268 applications submitted.

http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/dsc/pakistan/PGA_083755

http://www.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/RND/ResearchGrants/PakUSJointAcademicResearchProgram/Pages/Announcment.aspx

 

Donor Agency:              PAK-US Science & Technology Cooperation Program, Phase-V

Project Number:           5-530/PAK-US/HEC/2013/193, dated 12-07-2013

Duration:                       July 2013 – July 2016 (3 Years)

Start Date:                   15 July, 2013

Grant:                             (Pakistan side US $275,280/-, US side $236,410)

Status:                          In progress

Pakistan Principal Investigator:

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad

Faculty of Engineering Sciences

Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology

US Principal Investigator:

Prof. Qiquan Qiao

Department of Electrical Engineering

Center for Advanced Photovoltaics

South Dakota State Universit

Selected International Research Collaborators

  • Prof. Dr. Qiquan Qiao, Department of Electrical Engineering, Center for Advanced Photovoltaics, South Dakota State University, USA
  • Prof. Dr. Randy Heflin, Associate Director of the Center for Self-Assembled Nanostructures and Devices, Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, USA
  • Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mahroof-Tahir, Department of Chemistry, St. Cloud State University, USA
  • Dr. Khaulah Sulaiman, Senior Lecturer, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science Building, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malysia
  • Dr. K.C. Aw, PhD, M.Sc. MIET, MIEEE, Mechanical Engineering Department, The University of Auckland, Private bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
  • Prof. Dr. Ahmad F. Mohd Noor, Head School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 NibongTebal, Penang, Malaysia
  • Dr. Ir. Cheong Kuan Yew, School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 NibongTebal, Penang, Malaysia
  • Prof. Dr. Abdullah Mohamed Asiri, Chemistry Department and the Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research, King Abdulaziz University, KSA.

Publications

BOOKS/CHAPTERS
  • “Production and Characterization of Nanoparticle Dispersions of Organic Semiconductors for Potential Applications in Organic Electronics” Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Fazal Wahab, Munawar Ali Munawar, Muhammad Shahid, Jamil Anwar Chaudry, Khaulah Sulaiman, Zubair Ahmad, and Abdullah Mohamed Asiri, Nanoelectronic Device Applications Handbook, ed. James E. Morris & Krzysztof Iniewski, CRC Press (Taylor & Francis Group), 109-117 (2013)
  • “Organic Semiconductor Based Electric, Electronic and Photonic Devices” Muhammad Saleem, Khasan S. Karimov, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Lap Lambert Academic Publishing AG & Co Kg, 14 June 2011, •  ISBN 13: 9783844385199 ISBN 10: 3844385193

     

RESEARCH PAPERS
  • “The sensing of Humidity by surface type Ag/Formyl-TIPPCu(II)/Ag sensor for Environmental Monitoring” Dil Nawaz Khan, Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Fazal Wahab, Muhammad Tahir, Muhammad Yaseen, Munawar Ali Munawar, Mukhtar Ali, Surface Review and Letters (In press, 2014)
  • “Electrical Characterization of Al/CoPc/p-Si/Al Heterojunction” Fazal Wahab, M. H. Sayyad, Dil Nawaz Khan, Muhammad Tahir, Fakhra Aziz, Muhammad Shahid, Munawar Ali Munawar, Jamil Anwar Chaudry, Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, (In press, 2014)
  • “Temperature Dependant Electrical Properties of formyl-TIPPCu(II)/p-Si Heterojunction Diode” Dil Nawaz Khan, Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Fazal Wahab, Muhammad Tahir, Muhammad Yaseen, Munawar Ali Munawar, Mukhtar Ali, Modern Physics Letters B (In press, 2014)
  • “High Seebeck Coefficient in Solution-Grown PbS Films” Fazal Wahab, Gustavo E. Fernandes, Jin Ho Kim, Seungwoo Jung, Ki-Bum Kim, M. Hassan Sayyad, Jimmy Xu, Journal of Electronic Materials, Vol. 43, No. 2, 2014.
  • Muhammad Tahir, Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Jenny Clark, Fazal Wahab, Fakhra Aziz, Muhammad Shahid, Munawar Ali Munawar, Jamil Ahmad Chaudry, “Humidity, light and temperature dependent characteristics of Au/N-BuHHPDI/Au surface type  multifunctional  sensor” Sensors and Actuators B, 192 (2014) 565–571.
  • Muhammad Tahir, Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Fazal Wahab, FAZAL AHMAD KHALID, FAKHRA AZIZ, SHAZIA NAEEM, MUHAMMAD NAEEM KHALID “ENHANCEMENT IN THE SENSING PROPERTIES OF METHYL ORANGE THIN FILM BY TiO2 NANOPARTICLES” International Journal of Modern Physics B, 28 (2014) 1450032 (11 pages).
  • “Perylene diimide: Synthesis, fabrication and temperature dependent electrical characterization of heterojunction with p-silicon” Muhammad Tahir, Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Fazal Wahab, Fakhra Aziz, Muhammad Shahid, Munawar Ali Munawar, Physica B 426 (2013) 6–12
  • “THE ELECTRICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF Ag/N-BuHHPDI/p-Si HETEROJUNCTION BY CURRENT VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS” MUHAMMAD TAHIR, MUHAMMAD HASSAN SAYYAD, FAZAL WAHAB and DIL NAWAZ KHAN, Modern Physics Letters B. Vol. 27, No. 11 (2013) 1350080 (9 pages)
  • “Enhancement of electronic and charge transport properties of NiPc by potassium-tetrasulpho group” Zubair Ahmad, MH Sayyad, FA Wahab, Khaulah Sulaiman, M. Shahid, J. A. Chaudry, M. A. Munawar and Fakhra Aziz, Physica B 413 (2013) 21
  • “The electrical characterization of Ag/PTCDA/PEDOT:PSS/p-Si Schottky diode by current–voltage characteristics” Muhammad Tahir, Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Fazal Wahab, Dil Nawaz Khan, FakhraAziz, Physica B 415 (2013) 77–81
  • “Optoelectronic properties of vanadyl phthalocyanine based organic-inorganic hybrid devices” Imran Murtaza, Khasan S. Karimov, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Ibrahim Qazi Applied Mechanics and Materials, 110-116 (2012) pp 3255-3266
  • “Influence of humidity conditions on the capacitive and resistive response of an Al/VOPc/Pt co-planar humidity sensor” Fakhra Aziz , M Hassan Sayyad , K Sulaiman , B H Majlis , Khassan S Karimov , Zubair Ahmad and G Sugandi, Measurement Science and Technology (January 2012), 23 (1), pg. 014001
  • “Carbon nanotubes’ nanocomposite in humidity sensors” Mutabar Shah, Zubair Ahmad, K. Sulaiman, Kh.S. Karimov, M.H. Sayyad, Solid-State Electronics 69 (2012) 18–21
  • “Programmable Nonvolatile Memory based on Gold Nanoparticles in Poly-methyl-silsesquioxane Sol-Gel” Zubair Ahmad, K. Sulaiman and M. H. Sayyad, Microelectronic Engineering, 99(2012) 62
  • “Investigation of optical and humidity-sensing properties of vanadyl phthalocyanine thin films” Fakhra Aziz, K Sulaiman, M. R. Muhammad, M. Hassan Sayyad, B. H. Majlis, Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals 566(2012) 22
  • “Spectroscopic and Microscopic Studies of Thermally Treated Vanadyl 2,9,16,23-tetraphenoxy-29H,31H-phthalocyanine Thin Films” Fakhra Aziz, M. H. Sayyad, Zubair Ahmad, K. Sulaiman, M. R. Muhammad, Kh. S. Karimov,2012. Physica E, 44, 1815-1819. (ISI-Cited Publication)
  • “Programmable Nonvolatile Memory Based on Gold Nanoparticles in Poly-Methyl-Silsesquioxane Sol-Gel” Zubair Ahmad, P. C. Ooi, Khaulah Sulaiman, K. C. Aw and M. H. Sayyad, Microelectronic Engineering (Available online 27 July 2012)
  • “Fabrication and Characterization of Al/Methyl Orange/n-Si Heterojunction Diode” Muhammad Tahir, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Dil N. Khan, and Fazal Wahab, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 61 2012
  • “Fabrication of Al/N-BuHHPDI/ITO Schottky Barrier Diode and Investigation of its Electrical Properties” Muhammad Tahir, Muhammd. H. Sayyad, Muhammad Shahid, Jamil. A. Chaudry and Munawar. A. Munawar, International Conference on Advances in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (ICAEEE’2012) April 13-15, 2012 Pattaya
  • “Electrical Characteristics Enhancement in a Polymer Nanocomposite based Organic/Inorganic Diode” Dil Nawaz Khan, M. H. Sayyad, Fazal Wahab, Muhammad Tahir, 9th International Conference on Electronics, Computer and Computation (ICECCO 2012), 1st to 3rd November 2012. Ankara, Turkey
  • “Electrical characteristics of poly(methylsilsesquioxane) thin films for non-volatile memory” Zubair Ahmad, P.C. Ooi, K.C. Aw, M. H. Sayyad, Solid State Communications 151 (2011) 297–300.
  • “Direct current and impedance spectroscopic studies on MoO3 modified ZnPc/ITO Schottky diodes” Imran Murtaza, Ibrahim Qazi, Khasan S. Karimov, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Physica B, 406 (3) (2011) 533–536.
  • “Impedance spectroscopic studies of an organic semiconductor device incorporating a thin film of highly doped ZnPc with MoO3” Imran Murtaza, Ibrahim Qazi, Khasan S. Karimov, Muhammad H. Sayyad. Physica B, 406 (6-7), pp. 1238-1241, 2011
  • “Potential of 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(3/,5/-di-tertbutylphenyl)porphyrinatocopper(II) for amultifunctionalsensor” Z. Ahmad, M. H. Sayyad,  M.Yaseen, K.C.Aw, M.M-Tahir, M. Ali, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 155, pp. 81-85, 2011
  • “Investigation of temperature-dependent electrical properties of p-VOPc/n-si heterojunction under dark conditions” Shahid M. Khan, Muhammad H. Sayyad and Khasan S. Karimov,  Ionics, Volume 17, Number 4, 307-313, 2011.
  • “Fabrication and characterization of ZnTPP:PCBM bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells” S.M. Khan, M.Kaur, J.R.Heflin, M.H.Sayyad, Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 72 (2011) 1430–1435
  • “Application of Formyl-TIPPCu (II) for Temperature and Light Sensing” Dil Nawaz Khan, M. H. Sayyad, Muhammad Yaseen, Munawar Ali Munawar , Mukhtar Ali, International Conferenc on Research and Experimental Development, March 29-31, 2011, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • “Investigation of 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(3’,5’-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrinatocopper(II) for electronics applications” Zubair. Ahmad, M. H. Sayyad, M. Yaseen and M. Ali, International Conference on Computer, Electrical, and Systems Sciences, and Engineering (ICCESSE), 2011, Venice, Italy.
  • “Influence of thermal annealing on the structural properties of vanadyl phthalocyanine thin films: A comparative study” F. Aziz, K. Sulaiman, M. R. Muhammad, M. Hassan Sayyad and Kh. S. Karimov, International Conference on Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (ICCMMP2011), Venice, Italy April 27-29, 2011.
  • “The Influence of Doping of Fullerene Derivative (PCBM) on the Optical Properties of Vanadyl Phthalocyanine complex (VOPcPhO)” F. Aziz, K. Sulaiman, Kh. S. Karimov and M. Hassan Sayyad, International Conference on Computer, Electrical and Systems Sciences and Engineering (ICCESSE 2011), Bali, Indonesia, October 26?28, 2011.
  • “Influence of Thermal Annealing on The Structural Properties of Vanadyl Phthalocyanine Thin Films: A Comparative Study” Fakhra Aziz, K. Sulaiman, M. R. Muhammad, M. Hassan Sayyad and Kh. Karimov, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 80, 2011.
  • “Production and Characterization of Nanoparticle Dispersions of Organic Semiconductors for Potential Applications in Organic Electronics” M. H. Sayyad, F. Wahab, Z. Ahmad, M. Shahid, J. A. Chaudry and M. A. Munawar, Proceedings of the 11th IEEE International Conference on Nanotechnology, August 15-18, 2011, Portland, Oregon, USA.
  • “Investigation of Temperature-Dependent Electrical Properties of Tc-CuPc:PCBM Bulk Heterojunction (BHJ) under Dark Conditions” Shahid M. Khan and Muhammad H. Sayyad, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 80 2011
  • “Halo-Wittig And Zirconium Promoted Synthesis Of Conjugated Metalloporphyrin Dimers” Muhammad Yaseen, Mukhtar Ali, Irshad Khokhar, Munawar Ali Munawar, Muhammad NajeebUllah, Muhammad Salim, Muhammad H Sayyad, J. Porphyrins Phthalocyanines, 14 (2010) 299 – 304.
  • “Synthesis of Zn(II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4′-isopropylphenyl) porphyrin and its use as a thin film sensor” Muhammad H. Sayyad, Muhammad Saleem, Khasan S. Karimov, Muhammad Yaseen, Mukhtar Ali, Kuan Y. Cheong , Ahmad F. Mohd Noor, Appl Phys A (2010) 98: 103–109.
  • “Investigation of the electrical properties of a surface-type Al/NiPc/Ag Schottky diode using I-V and C-V characteristics”, Mutabar Shah, M. H. Sayyad, Kh. S. Karimov, M. M. Tahir, Physica B 405 (2010) 1188–1192.
  • “Frequency dependent electrical characteristics of Au/n-Si/CuPc/Au heterojunction” ZUBAIR AHMAD, M. H. SAYYAD, M. SALEEM, KHASAN S. KARIMOV AND M. SHAH, ACTA PHYSICA POLONICA A, 117 (2010) 493-496.
  • “I-V characteristics of Ag/OD-MO/Ag surface type diode fabricated by deposition of organic film from solution under the effect of an electric field” M. Saleem, M.H Sayyad, Kh.S. Karimov, Z.M. Karieva, K.Y. Cheong and A.F. Mohd Noor, Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. 50, 30401 (2010).
  • “Synthesis and application of Ni(II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4′-isopropylphenyl) porphyrin in a surface-type multifunctional sensor” Muhammad Saleem, Muhammad H Sayyad, Khasan S Karimov, Muhammad Yaseen and Mukhtar Ali, Phys. Scr. 82 (2010) 015703 (6pp)
  • “Organic semiconductor nickel phthalocyanine-based photocapacitive and photoresistive detector” Mutabar Shah, Kh S Karimov and M H Sayyad, Semicond. Sci. Technol. 25 (2010) 075014
  • “Electrical characterization of the ITO/NiPc/PEDOT:PSS junction diode”, Mutabar Shah, M. H. Sayyad, Kh. S. Karimov, Fazal Wahab, Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 43 (2010) 405104-405108. 
  • “Characterization of vanadyl phthalocyanine based surface-type capacitive humidity sensors” Fakhra Aziz, M. H. Sayyad, Khassan S. Karimov, M. Saleem, Zubair Ahmad and S. Mahmood Khan. Journal of Semiconductors, 31 (2010) 114002.
  • “Extraction of Electronic Parameters of PEDOT:PSS-PVA/n-Si Heterojunction Diode” Dil Nawaz Khan and Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Proceedings Second International Conference on Computer Research and Development (ICCRD 2010), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 7-10, 2010, pp. 535-539.
  • “Optoelectronic properties of vanadyl Phthalocyanine based organic-inorganic hybrid devices” Imran Murtaza, Khasan S. Karimov, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Ibrahim Qazi. International Conference on Physics Science and Technology (ICPST), Hong Kong. 28-30 Dec, 2010. Pp. 74-77.
  • “Effects of orange dye concentration on electrochemical properties of zinc/orange dye aqueous solution/carbon cell” M. SALEEM, MUHAMMAD H. SAYYAD, ZUBAIR AHMAD, KHASAN S. KARIMOV, ZIODA M. KARIEVA, KUWAIT J. Sci. Eng. 361A (2009) pp. 77-86.
  • “Surface type multifunctional sensor based on 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4′-isopropylphenyl) porphyrin” Muhammad Saleem, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Khasan S. Karimov , Muhammad Yaseen, Mukhtar Ali, J. Mater. Sci. (2009) 44:1192–1197.
  • “Cu(II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4_-isopropylphenyl) porphyrin based surface-type resistive–capacitive multifunctional sensor” Muhammad Saleem, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Khasan S. Karimov, Muhammad Yaseen, Mukhtar Ali, Sensors and Actuators B 137 (2009) 442–446
  • “Photo organic field effect transistor based on a metallo-porphyrin” M. H. Sayyad, Zubair Ahmad, Kh. S. Karimov, Muhammad Yaseen, Mukhtar Ali, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 42 (2009) 105112.
  • “Fabrication and electrical characterization of the surface-type Au/NiPc/Ag diode” Mutabar Shah, M. H. Sayyad, Kh. S. Karimov, M. Maroof Tahir Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials-Rapid Communications, Vol. 3, No. 8 (2009), pp. 831-834.
  • “Fabrication and investigation of the charge/discharge characteristics of zinc/PVA-KOH-H2O/carbon cell” M. Saleem, M.H. Sayyad, Kh.S. Karimov and Z. Ahmad, ACTA PHYSICA POLONICA A, 116 (2009) 1021-1024.
  • “Electrical characteristics of a high rectification ratio organic Schottky diode based on methyl red” Z. AHMAD, M. H. SAYYAD, OPTOELECTRONICS AND ADVANCED MATERIALS – RAPID COMMUNICATIONS Vol. 3, No. 5, May 2009, p. 509 – 512
  • “Humidity dependent characteristics of methyl-red thin film based Ag/methyl-red/Ag surface type cell” Zubair Ahmad, M. H. Sayyad, M. Saleem, Khasan S. Karimov, and Mutabar Shah, Physica E 41 (2008) 18– 22.
  • “A facile route to heterostructured ZnO:S/ZnO nanorotors: structural and optical properties” Syed Ghazanfar Hussain, Deming Liu, Xintang Huang, Salamat Ali, and Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, J. Phys. Chem. C 112 (2008)11162–11168.
  • “Synthesis and photocapacitive studies of Cu(II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4′-isopropylphenyl) porphyrin” M. SALEEM, M. H. SAYYAD, K. S. KARIMOV, Z. AHMAD, M. SHAH, M. YASEEN, I. KHOKHAR, M. ALI, JOURNAL OF OPTOELECTRONICS AND ADVANCED MATERIALS Vol. 10, No. 6 (2008) 1468 – 1472.
  • “Capacitive hygrometers based on natural organic compound” Zubair Ahmad, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Khasan. S. Karimov, Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials – Rapid Communications Vol. 2, No. 8 (2008), p. 507 – 510.
  • “FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Zn/PVA+IODINE AQUEOUS SOLUTION/CARBON CELL”  Muhammad Saleem , Muhammad H. Sayyad , Khasan S. Karimov, Zubair Ahmad, Journal of Ovonic Research Vol. 4, No. 4 (2008) p. 77 – 82.
  • “BI-LAYER CAPACITIVE TYPE LIGHT AND HUMIDITY SENSORS” Zubair Ahmad, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Khasan S. Karimov, Journal of Ovonic Research Vol. 4, No. 5 (2008) p. 91 – 95.
  • “Extraction of electronic parameters of Schottky diode based on an organic semiconductor methyl-red” Z. Ahmad, M. H. Sayyad, Physica E, 41(2008)18.
  • “Fabrication and study of NiPc thin film based surface type photocapacitors” M. H. Sayyad, M. Shah, K. S. Karimov, Z. Ahmad, M. Saleem, M. Maroof Tahir, Optoelectron. Adv. Mater. 10(10), 2805-2810 (2008).
  • “Spectroscopic studies of different brands of cigarettes using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy”  M. H. Sayyad, M. Saleem, M. Shah, N. M. Shaikh, and M. A. Baig, AIP Conf. Proc. 1017 363 (2008)
  • “Study of Frequency Effect on the Interface Traps Density and Series Resistance on Au/n-Si/CuPc/Au, Heterostructure”  M. Saleem, M. H. Sayyad, Zubair Ahmad, Khasan S. Karimov, and M. Shah, AIP Conf. Proc. 1017 84 (2008)
  • “Cu(II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4′-isopropylphenyl) porphyrin based Photocapacitive Detectors” Muhammad H. Sayyad, Muhammad Saleem, Khasan S. Karimov, Zubair Ahmad, Mutabar Shah, Muhammad Yaseen, Irshad Khokhar, and Mukhtar Ali, 6th International Conference on Electrical Engineering (ICEENG 2008),  Military Technical College Kobry El-Kobbah, Cairo, Egypt, (27-29 May, 2008).
  • “Electrical characterization of Al/methyl-red/Ag Schottky diode” Zubair Ahmad, M. H. Sayyad,  M. Saleem, Khasan S. Karimov and M. Shah, 6th International Conference on Electrical Engineering (ICEENG 2008),  Military Technical College Kobry El-Kobbah, Cairo, Egypt, (27-29 May, 2008).
  • “Fabrication and Study of Nickel Phthalocyanine based Surface Type Capacitive Sensors” Mutabar Shah, Muhammad Hassan Sayyad and Khasan S. Karimov, PROCEEDINGS OF WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY VOLUME 33 SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSN 2070-3740.
  • “Investigation of the Electronic Properties of Au/methyl-red/Ag Surface type Schottky Diode by Current-Voltage Method” Zubair Ahmad and Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, PROCEEDINGS OF WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY VOLUME 33 SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSN 2070-3740.
  • “Ag/NiPc/Ag humidity sensor for environmental monitoring”, Kh.S. Karimov, M. H. Sayyad, A. Fauzi M. N., K. Y. Cheong, M. M. Tahir, Mutabar Shah, Proc. 6th International Materials Technology Conference & Exhibition, 24-27 Aug. 2008, Parkroyal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • “The Photo-Electrical Behavior of n-Si/Orange Dye, Vinyl-Ethynyl-Trimethyl-Piperidole/Conductive Glass  Electrochemical Sensor” A. Elahi, M. H. Sayyad, Kh. S. Karimov, Kh. Zakaullah and M. Saleem, Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials – Rapid Communications Vol. 1, No. 7 (2007) 333 – 338.
  • “Fabrication and investigation of the charge/ discharge characteristics of zinc/PVA-KOH-H2O-Iodine/carbon cell” MUHAMMAD SALEEM, MUHAMMAD H. SAYYAD, ZUBAIR AHMAD, KHASAN S. KARIMOV, Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials – Rapid Communications Vol. 1, No. 9 (2007) 477 – 479.
  • “Electrochemical Properties of Zn/Orange Dye Aqueous Solution/Carbon Cell” Khasan S. Karimov, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Mukhtar Ali, Muhammad N. Khan, Syed A. Moiz, Khurram B. Khan, Humera Farah, Zioda M. Karieva, J. Power Sources 155 (2006) 475–477.
  • “The Photo-Electrical Behavior of n-Si and p-Si/Orange Dye/ Conductive Glass Cells” M.H. Sayyad, Kh.S. Karimov, A. Ellahi1, S.A. Moiz, Z.M. Karieva, M.A. Turaeva and Kh. Zakaullah, Eurasian ChemTech Journal 7 (2005) 1-31.
  • “Effect of temperature and humidity on electrical properties of organic orange dye complex  films deposited from solution.”  Kh. S. Karimov,  M. H. Sayyad, M. M. Ahmed,   M. N. Khan, Z.M.Karieva, M. Shah,  Kh. Zakaullah, S. A. Moiz, M. A. Turaeva, Eurasian ChemTech Journal 6, 145-150 (2004).
  • “Electrochemical humidity sensors on the base of orange dye.” Kh.S.Karimov, Kh.M.Akhmedov, R.Marupov, M.A.Turaeva, M.N.Khan, M.H.Sayyad, S.A.Moiz, Kh.B.Khan, I.Homidov, J.Valiev, Journal of Academy of Sciences, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Vol.XLVII, No.9-10, 5-11 (2004).
  • “Absolute Photoionization Cross-sections and Resonance Structure of Doubly-Ionized Silicon in the Region of the (2p)-1 Threshold: Experiment and Theory.” J.-P. Mosnier, E. T. Kennedy, M. H. Sayyad, J.-M. Bizau, D. Cubaynes, F.J. Wuilleumier, J.-P. Champeaux, C. Blancard, R. Hari Varma, T. Banerjee, P.C. Deshmukh, S.T. Manson,  Phys. Rev. A 68, 052712 (2003).
  • “Measurement and analysis of the photoabsorption spectra of laser produced Al and Si+ in the region of 2p-subshell excitation.” J T Costello, E T Kennedy, J-P Mosnier, and M H Sayyad , “J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys., 31, 677 (1998).
  • “Extreme-UV photoabsorption spectrum of laser-produced silicon plasma: evidence for metastable Si+ ion.” J T Costello, E T Kennedy, J-P Mosnier, M H Sayyad and C McGuinness, “J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys., 31, L547 (1998).
  • “2p-subshell photoabsorption by Si2+ ios in a laser-produced plasma.” M H Sayyad, E T Kennedy, L Kiernan, J-P Mosnier and J T Costello, “J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys., 28, 1715 (1995).
  • “Even parity autoionising states in the extreme ultraviolet photoabsorption spectra of Mg, Al+ and Si2+.” J-P. Mosnier, J. T. Costello, E. T. Kennedy, L. Kiernan and M. H. Sayyad, Phys. Rev. A 49, 755 (1994).
  • “Extreme-ultraviolet studies with laser-produced plasmas.” Eugene T. Kennedy, John T. Costello, Jean-Paul Mosnier, Attilio A. Cafolla, Martin Collins, Laurence Kiernan, Ulrich Köble, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Matthew Shaw, Bernd F. Sonntag and Robert Barchewitz, Opt. Eng. 33, 3984 (1994).
  • “The 2p-subshell absorption spectrum of Al+ in a laser-produced plasma” J. T. Costello, D. Evans, R. B. Hopkins, E. T. Kennedy, L. Kiernan, M. W. D. Mansfield, J-P. Mosnier, M. H. Sayyad and B. F. Sonntag, J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys., 25, 4332 (1992).
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
  • Muhammad Hassan Sayyad and Fazal Wahab “Bulk and nanoscaled organic semiconductors based electronic, optoelectronic and electrochemical devices” International Semiconductor Science and Technology Conference (ISSTC)” January 13-15, 2014, Istanbul, Turkey.
  • Muhammad Hassan Sayyad “BULK AND NANOSCALED ORGANIC SEMICONDUCTORS BASED ELECTRONIC AND PHOTONIC DEVICES” 2013 INTERNATIONAL NANOPHOTONICS AND NANOENERGY CONFERENCE (INPEC 2013), MAY 20-24, 2013, HEFEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (HFUT), HEFEI, CHINA.
  • Muhammad Tahir, Muhammd. H. Sayyad, Muhammad Shahid, Jamil. A. Chaudry and Munawar. A. Munawar, “Fabrication of Al/N-BuHHPDI/ITO Schottky Barrier Diode and Investigation of its Electrical Properties” International Conference on Advances in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (ICAEEE’2012) April 13-15, 2012 Pattaya
  • Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Fazal Wahab and Zubair Ahmad “Photonic applications of nanoparticle dispersions of organic semiconductors produced using pulsed laser ablation (PLA)” SPIE Optics and Photonics 8118 Organic Semiconductors in Sensors and Bioelectronics IV, August 21-25, 2011, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
  • Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, F. Wahab, Z. Ahmad, M. Shahid, J. A. Chaudry and M. A. Munawar “Production and Characterization of Nanoparticle Dispersions of Organic Semiconductors for Potential Applications in Organic Electronics” 11th IEEE International Conference on Nanotechnology, August 15-18, 2011, Portland Marriot, Portland, Oregon, USA.
  • Fakhra Aziz, K. Sulaiman, M. R. Muhammadb, M. Hassan Sayyad and Kh. Karimov “Influence of Thermal Annealing on The Structural Properties of Vanadyl Phthalocyanine Thin Films: A Comparative Study” World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 80,  2011.
  • Zubair. Ahmad, M. H. Sayyad, M. Yaseen and M. Ali “Investigation of 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(3’,5’-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrinatocopper(II) for electronics applications” International Conference on Computer, Electrical, and Systems Sciences, and Engineering (ICCESSE), 2011, Venice, Italy.
  • “Application of Formyl-TIPPCu (II) for Temperature and Light Sensing” Dil Nawaz Khan, M. H. Sayyad, Muhammad Yaseen, Munawar Ali Munawar , Mukhtar Ali,
  • International Conferenc on Research and Experimental Development, March 29-31, 2011, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • “Optoelectronic properties of vanadyl Phthalocyanine based organic-inorganic hybrid devices” Imran Murtaza, Khasan S. Karimov, Muhammad H. Sayyad, Ibrahim Qazi. International Conference on Physics Science and Technology (ICPST), Hong Kong. 28-30 Dec, 2010. Pp. 74-77.
  • “Extraction of Electronic Parameters of PEDOT:PSS-PVA/n-Si Heterojunction Diode” Dil Nawaz Khan and Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Proceedings Second International Conference on Computer Research and Development (ICCRD 2010), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 7-10, 2010, pp. 535-539.
  • “Ag/NiPc/Ag humidity sensor for environmental monitoring”, Kh.S. Karimov, M. H. Sayyad, A. Fauzi M. N., K. Y. Cheong, M. M. Tahir, Mutabar Shah, Proc. 6th International Materials Technology Conference & Exhibition, 24-27 Aug. 2008, Parkroyal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • “Investigation of the Electronic Properties of Au/methyl-red/Ag Surface type Schottky Diode by Current-Voltage Method” Zubair Ahmad and Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, PROCEEDINGS OF WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY VOLUME 33 SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSN 2070-3740.
  • “Electrical characteristics of Al/Polymer/Ag and Al/Polymer Nanocomposite/Ag Schottky diodes” Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Fazal Wahab,  Muhammad Saleem, and Zubair Ahmad, The International Conference for the Nanotechnology Industries (ICNI-2009), 4th – 7th April 2009, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • “Electrical characteristics of solid-liquid junction of Al-CuPc/OD Aqueous Solution/ITO cell ” Muhammad Saleem, M. Hassan Sayyad, Kh. S. Karimov, TAIBAH INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY CONFERENCE (TICC-2009), 23rd – 25th March 2009, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah,   Department of Chemistry, Taibah University, Saudi Arabia.
  • “Study of the humidity, light and temperature dependent electrical properties of organic semiconducting materials” Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Kh. S. Karimov, M. Saleem, Zubair Ahmad, Mutabar Shah, M. Maroof Tahir, Muhammad Yaseen, Mukhtar Ali, TAIBAH INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY CONFERENCE (TICC-2009), 23rd – 25th March 2009, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah,   Department of Chemistry, Taibah University, Saudi Arabia.
  • “Investigation of the electronic properties of Au/methyl-red/Ag surface type Schottky diode by current-voltage method” Zubair Ahmad and Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, PROCEEDINGS OF WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY VOLUME 33 SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSN 2070-3740.
  • “Fabrication and study of nickel phthalocyanine based surface type capacitive sensors” Mutabar Shah, Muhammad Hassan Sayyad and Khasan S. Karimov, PROCEEDINGS OF WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY VOLUME 33 SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSN 2070-3740.
  • “Electrical characterization of Al/methyl-red/Ag Schottky diode” Zubair Ahmad, M. H. Sayyad,  M. Saleem, Khasan S. Karimov and M. Shah, 6th International Conference on Electrical Engineering (ICEENG 2008),  Military Technical College Kobry El-Kobbah, Cairo, Egypt, (27-29 May, 2008).
  • “Cu(II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4′-isopropylphenyl) porphyrin based photocapacitive detectors” Muhammad H. Sayyad, Muhammad Saleem, Khasan S. Karimov, Zubair Ahmad, Mutabar Shah, Muhammad Yaseen, Irshad Khokhar, and Mukhtar Ali, 6th International Conference on Electrical Engineering (ICEENG 2008),  Military Technical College Kobry El-Kobbah, Cairo, Egypt, (27-29 May, 2008).
  • “Study of frequency effect on the interface traps density and series resistance on Au/n-Si/CuPc/Au, heterostructure” M. Saleem, M.H. Sayyad, Zubair Ahmad, Khasan S. Karimov, and M. Shah, The National Physics Conference 2007 (PERFIK2007), Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Darul Iman, MALAYSIA, (26-28 December, 2007).
  • “Spectroscopic studies of different brands of cigarettes using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy” M.H. Sayyad, M. Saleem, M. Shah, N.M. Shaikh, and M.A. Baig, The National Physics Conference 2007 (PERFIK2007), Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Darul Iman, MALAYSIA, (26-28 December, 2007).
  • “Non-destructive non-contact material analysis using laser generated plasma.” M. H. Sayyad, Second National Conference on Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Islamabad (October, 2003).
  • “Measurement and analysis of XUV absorption spectra of laser produced silicon plasmas.” P. van Kampen, E. T. Kennedy, J-P. Mosnier, M. H. Sayyad and J. T. Costello, NDTCS-98, St. Petersburg, Russia (June 1998).
  • “Measurement and analysis of the photoabsorption spectra of laser produced Al and Si+ in the region of 2p-subshell excitation.” M H Sayyad, E T Kennedy, J P Mosnier and J T Costello, Sixth National Symposium on Frontiers in Physics, Islamabad, Pakistan (1997).
  • “Effects of configuration interaction on the one and two electron core-excited states of Al+ and Si2+.” M H Sayyad, E T Kennedy, J P Mosnier and J T Costello, PIP (Pakistan Institute of Physics) International Conference, Lahore, Pakistan (1997).
  • “The 2-p subshell photoabsorption spectrum of atomic silicon in a laser-produced plasma.” M H Sayyad, E T Kennedy, J P Mosnier and J T Costello, PIP (Pakistan Institute of Physics) International Conference, Lahore, Pakistan (1997).
  • “Inner-Shell Photoabsorption by Metastable Si+ Ions Formed in Laser Produced Plasmas: Comparison with Ground State Si+.” J. T. Costello,  E. T. Kennedy,  J-P. Mosnier, M.H.Sayyad and C.McGuinness,  29th EGAS Conf., Berlin, (July 1997).
  • “Inner-shell photoabsorption studies in free atoms and ions.” M H Sayyad, E T Kennedy, J P Mosnier and J T Costello, Fifth National Symposium on Frontiers in Physics, Islamabad, Pakistan (1995).
  • “Photoabsorption studies of one and two electron core-excited states in Al+ and Si2+.” M H Sayyad, Costello J T, Kennedy E T, Kiernan L, Mosnier J-P and Sonntag B F, 25th EGAS (European Group for Atomic Spectroscopy), Caen-France, (1993).
  • “Extreme ultraviolet photoabsorption spectra of Al and Si+.” M H Sayyad, Costello J T, Kennedy E T, Kiernan L, Mosnier J-P and Sonntag B F, 25th EGAS (European Group for Atomic Spectroscopy), Caen-France, (1993).
  • “Inner Shell Photoabsorption Spectroscopy of Atoms, Excited Atoms using  Laser Produced Plasmas.” L Kiernan, J T Costello, U Koeble,  J-P Mosnier, M H Sayyad, M Shaw, B Sonntag and  E T Kennedy, 9th Topical Conference on Atomic Processes in Plasmas, Univ. Texas (Austin),  (Sept.  1993).
  • “A multi laser, multichannel spectrometer facility for the study of inner-shell excitation of atoms and ions.” L Kiernan, J T Costello, U Koeble,  J -P Mosnier,  M H Sayyad, M Shaw, E T Kennedy and B F Sonntag,  QE11, Belfast, Northern Ireland (September, 1993).
  • “Photoabsorption Spectra of Silver (n=4) and Gold (n=5) Observed in Laser-Produced Plasmas.” J-P Mosnier,  J T Costello,  E T Kennedy,L Kiernan, M H Sayyad, B F Sonntag  andU Koeble, X 93, p98, Debrechen, Hungary  (July, 1993).
  • “Even parity autoionising states of Mg, Al+ and Si2+.” M. H. Sayyad, J. T. Costello, L. Kiernan, J-P. Mosnier, E. T. Kennedy and B. F. Sonntag, The 3rd National Conference on ATOMIC, MOLECULAR AND OPTICAL PHYSICS (ATMOP3), Chester-UK, (1993).
  • “Competition between one and two electron core-excited states along the Mg-like isoelectronic sequence (Mg, Al+ and Si2+).” M. H. Sayyad, J. T. Costello, L. Kiernan, J-P. Mosnier, E. T. Kennedy and B. F. Sonntag, The 3rd National Conference on ATOMIC, MOLECULAR AND OPTICAL PHYSICS (ATMOP3), Chester-UK, (1993).
  • “The 2p-photoabsorption spectrum of Al+ in a laser-produced plasma.” J. T. Costello, D. Evans, R. B. Hopkins, E. T. Kennedy, L. Kiernan, M. W. D. Mansfield, J-P. Mosnier, M. H. Sayyad and B. F. Sonntag, 10th International Conference on VACUUM ULTRVIOLET RADIATION PHYSICS, Paris-France (1992).

DSSC

References:
  1. Kainat. Energy crisis in Pakistan, http://paktribune.com/news/Energy-crisis-in-Pakistan-By-Kainat-251841.html. 2012.
  2. Li, B., et al., Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2006. 90(5): 549-573.
  3. Siddiki, M., et al., Energy and Environmental Sciences, 2010. 3: 867-883.
  4. Kamat, P.V., J. Phys. Chem. C, 2007. 111(7): 2834-2860.
  5. Lewis, N. and G. Crabtree, Report of Workshop, U.S. Department of Energy, 2005.
  6. Zaidi, Z.I., Pakistan Renewable Energy Report.
  7. Yella, A., et al., Science, 2011. 334(6056): 629-634.
  8. Liska, P., et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1988. 110(11): 3686-3687.
  9. Vlachopoulos, N., et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1988. 110(4): 1216-1220.
  10. Antonio Luque and S. Hegedus, Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering 2003: Wiley. 695-696.
Project Summary

The need for cost-effective solar energy grows increasingly urgent as the demand for and price of power continues to rise and the global warming caused by fossil fuel combustion escalates. Solar energy is an unlimited form of clean and renewable energy that is abundantly available in Pakistan. Cost effective harvesting of solar energy can endlessly fuel our civilization. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been identified as next generation solar cell technology due to their simple fabrication process, potential low cost, and ability to be deposited on large-area flexible substrates. Although the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSCs has steadily increased, further increases in efficiency and low-cost fabrication are still required for applications. The potential for improvement of various DSSC components is enormous and is the focus of this joint project.

Many countries have invested heavily in DSSC research and development. Building expertise in this multidisciplinary area will help them establish industries for cost effective large scale photovoltaic production. Pakistan’s current capabilities and resources in DSSC-related research and technology are very limited. If Pakistan is to meet its energy needs and become a globally competitive entity in this growth industry, it must establish the scientific and technical expertise and infrastructure necessary to conduct research in the development of next generation DSSC technologies and provide consultancy to local industry.

The goals of this project are to develop next generation dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with lower cost, longer stability, and higher efficiency, and to provide research training in both countries to students and postdoctoral scientists in the field of solar energy. Both Pakistan and the U.S. import a lot of oil. The successful development of high efficiency reliable DSSCs may reduce and ultimately eliminate dependence on foreign oil for both Pakistan and the US. If successful, this project will open new sciences and advance the field of DSSCs.

The collaborative team from the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI) of Engineering Sciences and South Dakota State University (SDSU) in the US, in collaboration with their other academic and industrial partners, will address fundamental challenges in DSSCs by integrating their complementary expertise in the following areas: dye molecule calculation and synthesis, solid state hole transporter development, carbon nanostructures as counter electrodes, DSSC device physics, and device fabrication. The research objectives will include: (1) design, calculate, synthesize and characterize broad spectrum absorbing dyes, (2) develop novel carbon nanofibers as an inexpensive alternative to Pt counter electrodes, (3) use solid-state hole transport materials to replace liquid electrolytes, (4) fabricate, optimize and test DSSCs, and (5) transfer new DSSC technology to industrial partners for commercialization. The resulting breakthroughs will address the challenges of efficiency, stability and cost.

This research will significantly advance understanding of current DSSCs through a transformative approach to broaden the light absorption spectrum, improve hole transport via solid state materials, and lower counter electrode cost. The design, optimization, and characterization of DSSC materials and devices are critical to improving their performance. The proposed new dyes, solid state hole transporters, and new counter electrode nanostructures are beyond state-of-the-art and represent the cutting edge of the DSSC field.

This collaborative project will serve as a platform for producing scientists and engineers trained in the design and fabrication of cost effective DSSC devices and modules. Upon the successful completion of this project, the program will be elevated to a self-sustaining center of DSSC research at the GIKI that will liaise with industry in developing low cost stand-alone solar cell modules and related products of commercial importance.

Project Background

Energy plays a critical role in economic development throughout the world. Pakistan is a developing country that has suffered severe energy deficiency over the last few years. Unfortunately, this energy deficiency continues to amplify, adversely affecting commercial and economic activities, as well as quality of life. For example, summer heat is a reported cause of many a sleepless night in Pakistan [1].

Solar energy has the potential to meet Pakistan’s energy needs. In the near future, it may be possible to use low cost processing to develop dye-senstized solar cells, making stand-alone solar modules available and affordable for everyone.  The amount of solar energy that reaches the earth every year is 3×1024 J, or ~ 10,000 times more than current global use. Covering 0.16% of the earth’s surface with solar cells at an efficiency of 10% would meet the current energy needs of the entire world [2, 3]. However, the electricity generated from solar cells today is less than 0.1% of the world’s total energy demand [3-5].

Located in the Sun Belt, Pakistan is an ideal place to harvest solar energy. With 10% efficient solar cells, the sunlight that illumines 0.50% of Balochistan province would be sufficient to meet the energy needs of the entire country.[6] Despite such potential, little research has been done on solar cells in Pakistan to date. There are almost no active research professors or groups working on solar cells, especially DSSCs.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have shown great potential as a cost effective alternative to silicon solar cells due to their low cost of materials and fabrication. Although laboratory DSSCs have reached an efficiency of 12% [7] since their invention by Gratzel two decades ago [8, 9], DSSCs are still hampered by inefficiency, instability, and high cost. Current efficiency still falls short of the industry sought minimum threshold of 15% [10]. Successful development of efficient, stable, low cost DSSCs will enable reductions in fossil fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, and global warming. 

This collaborative research project unites a U.S. researcher, who has a strong background in the fabrication and characterization of DSSCs and is equipped with all the required facilities, with a Pakistani team (led by Prof. Sayyad) with vast research experience in the fabrication and characterization of organic electronic materials and devices. Such collaboration will enable the development of the next generation of DSSCs in Pakistan.  The project objectives will be to (i) develop the necessary fabrication and characterization facilities at the GIKI, (ii) train students and faculty in next generation organic solar cell technology, (iii) provide consultancy and expertise to industry, and (iv) facilitate Pakistan’s efforts to address its critical energy needs in a sustainable manner.

In order to train the Pakistani researchers in the area of DSSCs, the U.S. partner, Dr. Qiao, will teach several short courses at GIKI. Several undergraduate and graduate students in both countries will be involved in the research and will visit the partnering universities. As the participants work together on this three-year project of mutual interest, they will build personal and professional ties with one another.

Project donor agency and investigators

The project entitled “New Approaches for Lower Cost, Longer Stability, and Higher Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)” has been funded under the ‘Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperative Program Phase-V. [http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/dsc/pakistan/PGA_083755]

This was one of the 10 projects which were selected from overall 268 projects, submitted by academia of various universities from US and Pakistan. It was jointly submitted by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, GIK Institute and Prof. Qiquan Qiao, SDSU.

Donor Agency: PAK-US Science & Technology Cooperation Program, Phase-V
Project Number: 5-530/PAK-US/HEC/2013/193, dated 12-07-2013
Duration: July 2013 – July 2016 (3 Years)
Start Date:15 July, 2013
Grant: (Pakistan side US $280,786/-, US side US $236,410/-, Total = US $517,196/- )
Status: In progress

Pakistan Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad
Faculty of Engineering Sciences,
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology,
Topi, District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 23640, Pakistan
Fax: +92- 938 – 271890
Telephone: +92 – 938-271858 Ext: 2550
Cell #: +92-300-4800595
E-mails: sayyad@giki.edu.pk;  hsayyad62@gmail.com 
Website: http://www.giki.edu.pk/Faculty/Prof-Dr-M-Hassan-Sayyad

US Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr. Qiquan Qiao
Department of Electrical Engineering, Center for Advanced Photovoltaics, SECS 219, BOX 2222
South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
Fax: 1-605-688-4401
Telephone: 1-605-688-6965
E-mail: Qiquan.Qiao@sdstate.edu
Website: https://www.sdstate.edu/eecs/about/faculty/qiquan-qiao

Activities Pakistan-U.S. Science and Technology Cooperation Program, Phase-V

Project Title:

New Approaches for Lower Cost, Longer Stability, and Higher Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

Pakistani Principal Investigator:

Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sayyad
Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi, District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 23640, Pakistan
E-mail: sayyad@giki.edu.pk

US Principal Investigator:

Dr. Qiquan Qiao
Department of Electrical Engineering
Center for Advanced Photovoltaics
SECS 219, BOX 2222
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007, USA
E-mail: Qiquan.Qiao@sdstate.edu

Reporting Period:

From project starting date through March 31, 2014

Activities carried out from January 1 through March 31, 2014 (please communicate with your Pakistani partners to obtain information on activities on their side and include those as well, to the extent you are able to obtain the information).

Pakistan side:

1. For the fabrication of DSSCs, developed an assembly line in the Organic Electronics Research Lab, Faculty of Engineering Sciences, GIK Institute and fabricated and tested a number of DSSCs.
2. Developed the project website: http://www.giki.edu.pk/RnD/DSSCs
3. Recruited and trained two groups of final year project students each group comprising 04 students and one graduate student to work on this project. Two teams of the undergraduate final year students were recruited in Fall 2013 semester and were involved the fabrication and characterization of DSSCs.  In one of these projects, the optoelectronic studies of natural juice extracts have been investigated for low cost energy harvesting applications. The DSSCs have been fabricated and characterized. The comparison has been made with the DSSC based dye N719. In the other project, using laser ablation metal nanoparticles have been synthesized and enhancement effect of these nanoparticles on the performance of N719 dye based DSSCs have been investigated.  The teams have been trained in the future low cost energy harvesting technologies which are desperately needed in Pakistan. Photo gallery
4. Literature survey was done and will be done throughout the project execution.
5. Hosted the visit of US PI Dr. Qiao at GIKI from December 12-15, 2013.
6. Jointly with the US PI, organized the “2013 GIKI-SDSU International Symposium on the Design of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells for Cost Effective Solar Energy Harvesting” at the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi, Pakistan, on the 13th-15th of December, 2013. About 150 scholars, including 07 invited speakers, about 110 students, 30 faculty members from all over Pakistan and 3 foreigners participated in the symposium (Photo gallery symposium). For tentative schedule, participant roster, or any other relevant documentation, please see the attachment “2013 GIKI-SDSU International Symposium”.
7. Two seminars were given by the PI at the “2013 GIKI-SDSU International Symposium on the Design of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells for Cost Effective Solar Energy Harvesting”.
8. The equipment, consumables and software needed for the project execution has been identified and tendered with the consultation of the US PI and Pakistani academic and industrial collaborators.
9. Collaborators having experience in the synthesis of dye families have been identified and requested to appoint students to synthesize the dyes.

US side:

10. The US PI Dr Qiquan Qiao visited Pakistan partner Prof Hassan Sayyad at GIKI December 12-15, 2013.
11. As discussed above, the US PI, working together with the Pakistan PI, organized the “2013 GIKI-SDSU International Symposium on the Design of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells for Cost Effective Solar Energy Harvesting” at the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi, Pakistan, on the 13th-15th of December, 2013.
12. Incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles into SnO2nanofibers as photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) improved the cell efficiency from 4.63% to 6.17%. The addition of TiO2 nanoparticles increased the surface area of the photoanode that led to the enhancement in the dye attachment. In addition, the incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles helped in the reduction of the recombination of electrons in the photoanode with the electrolyte resulting in the increase in the open circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF).
13. Electrospun carbon nanofiber (ECN)/TiO2 nanoparticle composite counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were successfully prepared by spray-coating ECNs/TiO2 (1:1 by weight) mixture on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO)-glass substrate. TiO2 particles (Degussa P25) were used to bind carbon nanofibers and adhere them to the FTO-glass substrate. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the spray-coated ECN/TiO2 composite CEs have lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) and higher interfacial capacitance (Q) than those of Pt CEs. Cyclic voltammograms (CV) further indicated that ECNs/TiO2 composite CEs have faster tri-iodide reduction rate than those of Pt CEs. DSSCs fabricated using ECNs/TiO2 CEs showed a power conversion efficiency (η) of 7.25% under 100 mW/cm2 light intensity, which is comparable to that of thermally deposited Pt based DSSCs (η=7.57%). Moreover, ECNs/TiO2 composite CE based DSSCs demonstrated almost equal power conversion efficiency to that of Pt based cells by adding only 8 w.t% Pt, which unveiled a cost-effective alternative of costly Pt CEs in DSSCs.

Plans for the coming 3-6 months

Pakistan side:
1. The equipment, consumables and software required for the project execution will be ordered.
2. With the obtained software and equipment, the facilities for the design of dyes and solar cell characterization will be established and tested.
3. New undergraduate and graduate students will be recruited to work on the project.
4. Design/Identification/synthesis/characterization of potential dyes will be carried out.
5. Identification/development/characterization of hole-transport materials will be carried out.
6. Seminars on light harvesting, charge generation and transport, and other aspects of DSSCs.
7. In connection with the project planning, the Principal Investigator is expected to visit US.
8. With the dye design facility, the potential dyes will be designed and provided to our collaborators for synthesis.
9. With the purchased consumables, a number of DSSCs will be fabricated and characterized employing the facilities to be established.
10. Under the supervision of Pakistan PI, two final year projects entitled “Optoelectronic studies of natural dyes for the DSSC applications” and “Effect of metal nanoparticles on the performance enhancement of DSSCs” have been successfully completed. The devices and the posters will be exhibited in the GIK Institute 2014 Open House and Career Fair to be held from April 10-11, 2014.
11. The  Principal Investigator is Invited Speaker to the (i) “International Nanophotonics and Nanoenergy Conference (INPEC) 2014”, which will take place from July 1st to July 3rd, 2014 at EwhaWomans University (EWU), Seoul, Korea, (ii) International Conference on “1st Nanscience and Nanotechnology for Next Generation (NanoNG14)” to be held from August 20-22, 2014,  Elazig, Firat University, Turkey. In these invited talks, the work to be done under the project will be reported.

US side:
12. The US PI will host the visit of Pakistan PI Prof. Sayyad and his graduate students
13. The US PI will train the Pakistani visiting PI and his students on DSSC device fabrication and testing.
14. The US PI will supervise one graduate student on DSSC research
15. The US team will explore the porous carbon nanofibers as counter electrode to improve device efficiencies.

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