Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

HYbrid NANOstructured multi-functional interfaces for stable, efficient and eco-friendly photovoltaic devices

Project description

Low-cost and efficient hybrid solar technology

The EU is committed to moving towards a low-carbon society by 2050. Solar energy is considered a leading solution in the energy sector, since it uses low-cost, effective and solid technology based on 3D hybrid perovskite (HP) solar cells. Even though this technology has high power-conversion capacity, its commercialisation is hindered by its low device stability and its dependence on lead. The EU-funded HY-NANO project intends to produce a new low-cost, efficient and eco-friendly hybrid solar technology offering long-term stability and limited environmental impact. It will design new perovskite structures and combine 3D and 2D perovskites to produce advanced stable and effective multidimensional interfaces. The project will improve scientific and technological knowledge for photovoltaics in the near future.

Objective

HY-NANO focuses on one of the current major challenges in Europe: a global transition to a low-carbon society and green economy by 2050. Solar energy can lead a “paradigm shift” in the energy sector with a new low-cost, efficient, and stable technology (3-pillars strategy). Nowadays, low-cost three dimensional (3D) Hybrid Perovskites (HP) solar cells are revolutionizing the photovoltaic scene, with stunning power conversion efficiency beyond 22%. However, poor device stability (due to degradation in contact with water) and dependence on toxic components (lead) substantially hamper their commercialization.
HY-NANO aims to realize a new low-cost and efficient hybrid solar technology combining long-term stability with a reduced environmental impact. Design and engineering innovative multi-dimensional hybrid interfaces is the core idea. This will be achieved by: 1. design and characterization of new stable and eco-friendly perovskites structures, with tunable composition and dimensionality ranging from 3D to 2D; 2. exploiting new synergistic functions by combining 3D and 2D perovskites together into novel stable and efficient multi-dimensional interfaces while addressing the interface physics therein; 3. integrating the hybrid interfaces into high efficient and stable device architectures engineered “ad hoc”. In addition, I propose the development of new solar cell encapsulant using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) functionalized as selective lead receptors to minimize the environmental risks associated with the potential release of lead.
My multidisciplinary expertise in advanced material design, cutting-edge photophysical experimental investigations, and solar cell engineering will enable me to successfully target the ambitious goals. HY-NANO is timely and it will generate the new fundamental knowledge that is urgently needed for a scientific and technological breakthrough in materials and devices for near future photovoltaics.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

(opens in new window) ERC-2018-STG

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PAVIA
Net EU contribution
€ 1 499 084,00
Address
STRADA NUOVA 65
27100 Pavia
Italy
Region
Nord-Ovest Lombardia Pavia
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 1 499 084,00

Beneficiaries (1)