Project description
Lead-free photon-splitting materials to boost solar cell performance
Quantum cutting down conversion materials, which convert high-energy photons into multiple lower-energy photons are revolutionising solar cell efficiency by reshaping the solar spectrum. Global efforts have concentrated on ytterbium (Yb)-doped lead (Pb) halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNC) for their near-infrared photoluminescence that matches common photovoltaic material bandgaps. However, their commercialisation faces two hurdles: Pb toxicity and PNC instability against moisture. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the NEBULAE project aims to develop Yb-doped Pb-free PNCs embedded in stable fluorophosphate glass ceramics. This groundbreaking work will synthesise and study Yb-doped fluorophosphate glasses, investigate nucleation and growth and test glass ceramics in solar cells to improve performance.
Objective
Quantum cutting down-conversion materials have emerged as a novel approach to increase solar cell efficiency by reshaping the solar spectrum. Efforts worldwide have focused on Yb-doped lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) due to their highly efficient near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL) that matches the bandgap of the commonly used photovoltaic materials. However, two major challenges limit their commercialization: 1) the high toxicity of lead (Pb), 2) the instability of PNCs against moisture. Therefore, there is a need to develop Yb-doped Pb-free PNCs and embed them in dense structures like glass to increase their chemical stability over time. To this end, the interdisciplinary NEBULAE project aims to develop new fluorophosphate (FP) glass-ceramics (GCs) that contain Yb-doped Pb-free PNCs. It will be the first to report not only Pb-free PNCs in FP glass but also Yb-doped perovskite FP GCs for solar cells. Thus, 1) Yb-doped FP glasses will be synthesized using the melt-quenching method and characterized by a complex of spectroscopic methods to study the composition-property relation. 2) Nucleation and growth will be investigated, and heat treatment will be conducted to obtain transparent GCs with enhanced NIR PL, in which Yb-doped Pb-free PNCs are embedded in the volume of the glass. 3) The GCs will be tested in a solar cell to demonstrate proof-of-concept improvement in cell performance. NEBULAE is based on the PIs expertise in optics, the supervisors in glass science, and the co-supervisors in solar cells, ensuring the achievement of the research goals, dissemination, and exploitation of the results. The training/research activities will equip the PI with the skills needed to apply to ERC Starting Grant and/or obtain a tenure track in the EU, which will allow the PI to launch his own research group. NEBULAE contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals and EU Green Deal by reducing the use of toxic elements and promoting clean energy.
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 nanotechnology nano-materials nanocrystals
- engineering and technology materials engineering amorphous solids
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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33100 Tampere
Finland
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