New synthetic routes for the preparation of chalcogenide perovskite materials

Photovoltaic cells are devices that transform light in electricity through a "solar absorber", the material that absorbs photons and transforms it into excited charges, generating electricity. Lead-based perovskites (e.g. MAPbI3) are one of the newest and most promising absorbers: they have high efficiency, are easy to make and based on abundant and cheap materials, even if they suffer poor stability in air.

Many other types of perovskites exist, and currently several branches of that family tree are being explored both to overcome stability issues affecting lead-based perovskites and to explore new compositions and different applications. Chalcogenide perovskites (e.g. BaZrS3) have attractive features for their use as photon absorbers, but are difficult to synthesize, especially as thin-films, due high temperature processing requirements. This project will explore new and alternative synthetic routes for the preparation of chalcogenide perovskites and deposit these materials in thin-film form. Fabricating chalcogenide perovskites in both bulk and thin-films will allow thorough characterization of the optoelectronic properties and the implementation of these materials in photovoltaic devices. To achieve this goal, different techniques will be employed, but particular relevance will be given to "dry methods" that do not require solvents. Importantly, this will allow to develop a green, solvent-free method of preparation of materials and devices, with even lower environmental impact of the photovoltaic technology.

ReNU's enhanced doctoral training programme delivered by three uniquely co-located major UK universities, Northumbria (UNN), Durham (DU) and Newcastle (NU), addresses clear skills needs in small-to-medium scale renewable energy (RE) and sustainable distributed energy (DE). It was co-designed by a range of companies and is supported by a balanced portfolio of 27 industrial partners (e.g. Airbus, Siemens and Shell) of which 12 are small or medium size enterprises (SMEs) (e.g. Enocell, Equiwatt and Power Roll). A further 9 partners include Government, not-for-profit and key network organisations. Together these provide a powerful, direct and integrated pathway to a range of impacts that span whole energy systems.

Industrial partners will interact with ReNU in three main ways: (1) through the Strategic Advisory Board; (2) by providing external input to individual doctoral candidate's projects; and (3) by setting Industrial Challenge Mini-Projects. These interactions will directly benefit companies by enabling them to focus ReNU's training programme on particular needs, allowing transfer of best practice in training and state-of-the-art techniques, solution approaches to R&D challenges and generation of intellectual property. Access to ReNU for new industrial partners that may wish to benefit from ReNU is enabled by the involvement of key networks and organisations such as the North East Automotive Alliance, the Engineering Employer Federation, and Knowledge Transfer Network (Energy).

In addition to industrial partners, ReNU includes Government organisations and not for-profit-organisations. These partners provide pathways to create impact via policy and public engagement. Similarly, significant academic impact will be achieved through collaborations with project partners in Singapore, Canada and China. This impact will result in research excellence disseminated through prestigious academic journals and international conferences to the benefit of the global community working on advanced energy materials.