Project description
Developing lead-free perovskites
With climate change presenting an ever-increasing danger for the world at large, many seek to develop new or improve current clean energy solutions. With this in mind, a large innovation has taken place in the field of solar energy in the form of halide perovskites, which could allow for cheaper and more efficient solar energy conversion. Unfortunately, the weight of most photovoltaic perovskites is made up of more than 10 % of lead, which is against many regulations against heavy metals in electronics. The EU-funded FREENERGY project will develop perovskites that are both more efficient and cost-effective and with tin instead of lead. Tin is much less damaging to the environment.
Objective
Halide perovskites are the next big thing in solar energy. State-of-the-art perovskite solar cells outperform established technologies with the advantage of processing from solution. Solution-processed perovskite solar cells are made spraying a precursor ink onto a substrate: the perovskite forms as the chemicals contained in the ink crystallize. This production process makes halide perovskites a valid low-cost alternative established material such as silicon. Furthermore, halide perovskite can work in tandem with silicon to break the theoretical power conversion efficiency limit of 33% according to the Shockley-Queisser model.
However, the most effective photovoltaic perovskites contain more than 10% by weight of lead, which overstep the limits adopted in most of the countries to regulate the use of heavy metals in electronics.
The FREENERGY project aims at achieving efficient and cost-effective lead-free perovskites replacing lead (Pb) with tin (Sn). We have demonstrated that tin is relatively inert if dispersed in the environment as compared to lead, which is prone to enter into plants and thus into the food chain. This solution does not present any manufacturing issue, as making tin-based perovskite is very similar to make lead-based perovskite. The main obstacle is represented by the low chemical stability of Sn2+, which is very prone to be oxidized to Sn4+. We have identified three key strategies:
• Inorganic cations: We found that organic cations comprising perovskite are more prone than inorganic in to activate the Sn oxidation. We have selected a series of inorganic cations comprising Cs and K to replace the organics most commonly used.
• Alternative solvents: dimethyl sulfoxide is currently used to synthesize the perovskite, but it contributes to the oxidation. We identified alternative solvents to overcome this issue.
• Reducing additives: The perovskite materials are deposited from a solution comprising the precursor of the materials and the solvents.
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.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry post-transition metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels energy conversion
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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-POC - Proof of Concept 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-2020-PoC
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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.
80138 Napoli
Italy
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.