Advanced materials for perovskite solar cells

Overview

Solar cells using metal halides perovskite materials to absorb light is one of the most important scientific discoveries. These cells have the potential to provide cost-effective solar electricity in the future. In the last decades, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) demonstrated unprecedented progress towards this goal. This technology holds the world record for energy conversion efficiency and is comparable to commercial crystalline silicon, but at a much lower cost.

Currently their instability and use of hazardous solvents and toxic lead are key issues that restrict PSCs becoming commercialised. This project will resolve the stability and toxicity of PSC devices by designing new materials with:

• better stability
• tailored physical and chemical properties
• reduced use or an absence of lead.

Research activities

This is a multidisciplinary project. You will work with a team of researchers to:

• synthesize semiconductor materials including perovskite, electron transport material and hole transport materials
• measure the physical and chemical properties of the materials
• evaluate the performance and properties of the materials in solar cells.

Outcomes

This research project aims to:

• understand the physical-co-chemical properties of the synthesised materials
• unravel the effect of material structure and compositions on their stability under variable environment-based stress
• fabricate efficient, stable PSCs by using environmentally-friendly materials.

Skills and experience

An ideal candidate is expected to have an academic background in chemistry, material science or physics.

Research experience in material synthesis or solar cell fabrication is desirable but not essential.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

Explore our research scholarships

Keywords

• solar cells
• material synthesis
• perovskite

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.