The scientific progress of the project has advanced as expected
Water Oxidation catalysts: a number of synthetic strategies have been developed for the preparation of MOFs based on Ru-tda water oxidation catalyst complexes and Ru-carbanionic complexes, properly functionalized with axial pyridyl ligands containing carboxylic groups and ZrOx. In addition, a thorough spectroscopic characterization of reactive intermediates related to the WO catalyst based on Cu and tetra-amidate ligands has been carried out using fast transient absorption spectroscopy methods.
Reductive Catalysis: Catalysts for Hydrogen evolution have included a cobalt macrocycles and diiron mimics of FeFe hydrogenases active sites and CO2-reducing catalysts are organometallic Rhenium and rhodium complexes as well as Ni(cyclam) complexes. Semi-artificial hydrogenases have been developed and characterized, as an O2-tolerant natural hydrogenase. All catalysts have been interfaced with electrode materials (carbon nanotubes via pyrene groups enabling π-π interaction with CNT sidewalls or hierarchical porous carbon) and their catalytic activity and stability has been evaluated under aqueous or non-aqueous conditions.
Synthesis of novel materials:
*light harvesting material, synthesis of perovskites nanocrystals (NCs) has been developed following two different methods to make solution processable CsPbBr3 nanocrystals, obtaining good quality CsPbBr3 nanocrystals able to disperse in common organic solvents.
*electrode: materials have been developed thinking of three different strategies, depending on the position of the electrodes relative to the membrane. Different polymers have been synthetized for every strategy, and modified in order to include reactive groups that can anchor the catalysts.
*membranes: 4 copolymers and 1 new polymer modification have been achieved. Homo and copolymers (statistical/ block copolymers) have been synthesized achieving large batch quantities (500g).
Deposition of systems: different solar cells have been done including single junction solar cells based on p-i-n photovoltaic cells (solution processed CsPbBr3 NCs), p-i-n wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells, p-i-n narrow-bandgap perovskite solar cells, tandem perovskite-perovskite cells (1) and perovskite-silicon cells (2). For the membranes, PEM & ionomers have been deposited up to 30x30 cm (proton conductivities up to 300 mS/cm). Membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) with the catalyst have been developed.
A fully printed device integrating the MEAs (solar to hydrogen (STH) conversion 14%) and a continuous flow light-driven water splitting system with tandem cells (STH 18,6% (1) and 21,5% (2)) have been developed.
LCA and LCC assessments has been finalized. Hence, the environmental and economic profiling for the different parts of the device have been performed. In all cases, studies have brought recommendations and potential improvements with the view of transfer results to higher TRLs and even in some cases, providing alternatives once technologies reach the market.
15 publications accepted, 1 submitted and 14 being prepared for submission. 2 patent applications filled. A 3rd patent is being prepared.
39 abstracts accepted (18 presentations and 21 posters). In addition, the 14 ESRs participated in the Summer School.
