Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LIGHT-CAP (MULTI-ELECTRON PROCESSES FOR LIGHT DRIVEN ELECTRODES AND ELECTROLYTES IN CONVERSION AND STORAGE OF SOLAR ENERGY)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-01-01 al 2022-06-30
The intermittent character of solar energy calls for a stringent need to store it, in order to fully exploit the potential of photovoltaic technologies. The use of separate devices to carry out the two distinct processes, namely solar panels and big batteries, both characterized by high costs of installation and maintenance, as well as large sizes and weight, is nowadays the only available solution on the market. With the LIGHT-CAP project, we aim at tackling this current limitation in the renewable energy field by developing a hybrid technology that combines light energy conversion and storage into one single compact unit with low volume and weight, based on environmentally friendly and Earth abundant materials. In this way, we will stimulate the genesis of a novel Europe-based innovation eco-system around this new technological paradigm with a direct impact on portable and mobile electronics, simultaneously setting the basis for its future exploitation in large area systems too. The achievement of the LIGHT-CAP’ objectives will contribute to a future sustainable and zero-emission energy landscape in Europe, which is the urgent goal set by the European Commission with the European Green Deal.
Therefore, the overall objectives of LIGHT-CAP are properly those of providing new solutions for the solar-powered, low-cost, lightweight and compact generation and storage of clean energy. The disruptive technology targeted by LIGHT-CAP aims at a paradigm shift in renewable energy conversion and storage by exploring and exploiting the radically new principles of direct light energy absorption and accumulation in an emergent materials combination, originating from the coupling of zero-dimensional (0D) nanocrystal photo-capacitor (NCPCs) nanomaterials and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). 0D NCPCs, such as the transparent conducting oxides and the related nitrides display remarkable charge-storage capability of multiple electrons per nanostructural unit as delocalized charges after light absorption. The main innovation of LIGHT-CAP resides indeed in the use of 0D NCPCs together with specifically designed multiple hole collectors, such as GQDs and other 2D materials. A key-advantage of employing GQDs among other nanomaterials consists in the possibility to apply bottom-up chemical synthesis routes to tailor them into atomically precise structures, that can be further functionalized with a wide manifold of functional groups, addressing variations in optoelectronic properties and capacity to accommodate multiple delocalized charge carriers.
In this picture, LIGHT-CAP targets to exploit multi-electron processes to develop light driven electrolytes and electrodes with superior stability and energy density and their incorporation into emerging, state-of-the-art systems that can directly store the energy of the sun.
Therefore, the overall objectives of LIGHT-CAP are properly those of providing new solutions for the solar-powered, low-cost, lightweight and compact generation and storage of clean energy. The disruptive technology targeted by LIGHT-CAP aims at a paradigm shift in renewable energy conversion and storage by exploring and exploiting the radically new principles of direct light energy absorption and accumulation in an emergent materials combination, originating from the coupling of zero-dimensional (0D) nanocrystal photo-capacitor (NCPCs) nanomaterials and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). 0D NCPCs, such as the transparent conducting oxides and the related nitrides display remarkable charge-storage capability of multiple electrons per nanostructural unit as delocalized charges after light absorption. The main innovation of LIGHT-CAP resides indeed in the use of 0D NCPCs together with specifically designed multiple hole collectors, such as GQDs and other 2D materials. A key-advantage of employing GQDs among other nanomaterials consists in the possibility to apply bottom-up chemical synthesis routes to tailor them into atomically precise structures, that can be further functionalized with a wide manifold of functional groups, addressing variations in optoelectronic properties and capacity to accommodate multiple delocalized charge carriers.
In this picture, LIGHT-CAP targets to exploit multi-electron processes to develop light driven electrolytes and electrodes with superior stability and energy density and their incorporation into emerging, state-of-the-art systems that can directly store the energy of the sun.
First, the consortium performed a literature review to extract novel doped metal oxides that can serve as 0D nanocrystal photocapacitors based on non-critical raw materials. We then synthesized a set of materials.
For the 0D nanocrystals, we explored the primary processes after light absorption and extracted a full understanding of the charge storage mechanism. We additionally found out, how to enhance the charge storage capability in these materials upon shell growth. We performed electron-counting experiments that allowed us extracting precisely the numbers of electrons stored per nanocrystal, i.e. up to 400 electrons. For an understanding of the properties of the nanocrystals and the use of their multi-charge transfer properties as light-charged electrolytes, it is of major importance to understand, if the nanocrystals dispersion is a solution or a suspension. Towards this aim, we have developed a method to distinguish between a solution and a suspension. By making use of an electron-acceptor molecule, we could observe the capability of photodoped ITO nanocrystals to perform multi-charge transfer reactions. Targeting a direct integration in all solid or hybrid solid-liquid devices as transparent electrodes, we made use of the colloidal metal oxide nanoparticles (ITO) to prepare thin films by spin coating deposition.
In LIGHT-CAP we exploit novel hybrid systems for sunlight harnessing, conversion, storage and release on demand by implementing especially designed graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as multiple hole acceptors in solution.
While the majority of GQDs are fabricated via top-down methods, we can bottom-up synthesize atomically precise GQDs functionalized with many different functional. The chemical structure is confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrum. We are now working on the development of new strategy to increase the solubility of HBC-3, such as introduce the bulky groups in the HBC core. Also in this case we investigated multi charge processes in a liquid environment by adding the electron acceptor in a solution containing the GQDs.
For the 0D nanocrystals, we explored the primary processes after light absorption and extracted a full understanding of the charge storage mechanism. We additionally found out, how to enhance the charge storage capability in these materials upon shell growth. We performed electron-counting experiments that allowed us extracting precisely the numbers of electrons stored per nanocrystal, i.e. up to 400 electrons. For an understanding of the properties of the nanocrystals and the use of their multi-charge transfer properties as light-charged electrolytes, it is of major importance to understand, if the nanocrystals dispersion is a solution or a suspension. Towards this aim, we have developed a method to distinguish between a solution and a suspension. By making use of an electron-acceptor molecule, we could observe the capability of photodoped ITO nanocrystals to perform multi-charge transfer reactions. Targeting a direct integration in all solid or hybrid solid-liquid devices as transparent electrodes, we made use of the colloidal metal oxide nanoparticles (ITO) to prepare thin films by spin coating deposition.
In LIGHT-CAP we exploit novel hybrid systems for sunlight harnessing, conversion, storage and release on demand by implementing especially designed graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as multiple hole acceptors in solution.
While the majority of GQDs are fabricated via top-down methods, we can bottom-up synthesize atomically precise GQDs functionalized with many different functional. The chemical structure is confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrum. We are now working on the development of new strategy to increase the solubility of HBC-3, such as introduce the bulky groups in the HBC core. Also in this case we investigated multi charge processes in a liquid environment by adding the electron acceptor in a solution containing the GQDs.
The LIGHT-CAP project seeks to change drastically the state-of-the-art of solar energy conversion and related accumulation, which today is still based mostly on expensive silicon solar panels and cumbersome batteries kept separated in two distinct devices, each one requiring its own maintenance. LIGHT-CAP will introduce new nanotechnology-enabled architectures combining the two functionalities in one single versatile device, in which the main components are constituted of eco-friendly and earth-abundant materials, thus not suffering from future possible risks of supply. The project tackles fundamental challenges like making possible a more efficient solar energy harvesting, conversion, storage, and controlled on-demand release for the fabrication of both portable and static technologies, potentially producing a considerable impact in the field of portable and mobile electronics that will drive the paradigm change towards a future sustainable and zero-emission energy landscape in Europe.
The special combination of nanomaterials such as graphene and its derivatives, together with metal oxide in nanoparticle-form (Indium, Zing, Iron, Tin), already in use within the electronic components of devices currently in use (smartphones, LED displays, etc.), will allow to realize active interfaces in solid and/or liquid form in which sunlight promotes the occurrence of multiple and reversible transfers of electrical charges, offering large room for improvement in charge storage capacity in comparison with classical batteries and supercaps. In addition, these species present interesting long-term stability and cyclability profiles, which will make them very competitive substitutes for active components in current energy storage technologies.
The progression along the ambitious LIGHT-CAP roadmap will allow to complete full working devices that can be charged entirely by light and can release the accumulated energy “on demand”, thus creating the basis for the ignition of new production lines and products able to promote an innovative and sustainable vision on the energy market that will dominate the future economic scenario in Europe, aiming at the continuous decrease of the carbon footprint. Within this framework, the development of new products and transfer of technology to new markets will be incubated and made available for European R&D, allowing the building of skilled occupations, which can leverage the efforts of the European Commission to attain a globally competitive position.
The special combination of nanomaterials such as graphene and its derivatives, together with metal oxide in nanoparticle-form (Indium, Zing, Iron, Tin), already in use within the electronic components of devices currently in use (smartphones, LED displays, etc.), will allow to realize active interfaces in solid and/or liquid form in which sunlight promotes the occurrence of multiple and reversible transfers of electrical charges, offering large room for improvement in charge storage capacity in comparison with classical batteries and supercaps. In addition, these species present interesting long-term stability and cyclability profiles, which will make them very competitive substitutes for active components in current energy storage technologies.
The progression along the ambitious LIGHT-CAP roadmap will allow to complete full working devices that can be charged entirely by light and can release the accumulated energy “on demand”, thus creating the basis for the ignition of new production lines and products able to promote an innovative and sustainable vision on the energy market that will dominate the future economic scenario in Europe, aiming at the continuous decrease of the carbon footprint. Within this framework, the development of new products and transfer of technology to new markets will be incubated and made available for European R&D, allowing the building of skilled occupations, which can leverage the efforts of the European Commission to attain a globally competitive position.