Project description
A versatile method to explore and discover sustainable hybrid materials for solar energy conversion
Although a popular choice for solar cells, hybrid lead halide perovskites contain toxic lead and lack long-term stability. Moreover, the lack of fully versatile deposition techniques that grow these hybrid films reproducibly and controllably has hindered the full exploration of lead-free and stable hybrid halides. A revolutionary method is needed that will lead to the discovery of new sustainable complex hybrid materials. In response, the EU-funded CREATE project aims to develop a new approach that allows stoichiometric and layer-by-layer in-vacuum deposition of wide families of organic-inorganic materials, and their mixture in any pre-determined ratio. The project’s work will lead to the design of a new generation of stable, non-toxic, hybrid films, opening up new possibilities in solar energy conversion.
Objective
With an unprecedented rise in solar cell efficiencies and ease of fabrication, hybrid lead halide perovskites (PbHP) have gained worldwide popularity. However, these materials still rely on the use of toxic Pb and lack of long-term stability. Moreover, distracted by a race for higher conversion efficiencies, the development of in-vacuum deposition techniques to reproducibly and controllably grow these hybrid films has been highly overlooked. This is now the main hurdle for the full exploration of Pb-free and stable hybrid halides, which might not be as defect tolerant or easily produced by solution process as PbHP. Therefore, a revolutionary method allowing the discovery of new sustainable complex hybrid materials is now, more than ever, of paramount importance. Here I describe a completely new approach that allows stoichiometric and layer-by-layer in-vacuum deposition of wide families of organic-inorganic materials, and their mixture in any pre-determined ratio. To overcome the specific challenges of hybrid film growth (incompatible volatility and solubility) I propose Pulsed Dual-Laser Deposition (PDLD) to decouple the deposition of the inorganic and organic sources with two distinct laser sources, a high energy (UV) and a low energy (IR), all in one vacuum system. Only this decoupling will allow the control and versatility to bridge the hybrid materials discovery gap and to tackle open scientific questions regarding the interplay between the organic and inorganic components, defect nature and their influence on optical properties, carrier scattering and recombination phenomena. Combining these fundamental insights with controlled growth, will enable the design of a new generation of stable and non-toxic hybrid films. My extensive experience in in-vacuum materials synthesis for solar cells, supported by the unique PLD expertise at the host institution will enable a leap in the discovery and understanding of hybrid materials for solar energy conversion and beyond.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
7522 NB Enschede
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.