Project description
Overcoming the material bottleneck to building long-lasting tandem solar cells
Standard silicon solar panels are rapidly approaching their physical efficiency limits. This prompts scientists to develop tandem solar cells that layer a perovskite material on top of silicon to capture more sunlight. However, a major bottleneck threatening this technology is the highly unstable internal layer responsible for transporting electrons. Made from fullerene (carbon-based) molecules, it is susceptible to oxygen-induced degradation and blocks light that should be converted into electricity, undermining the panel’s performance. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the NEXT-ETM project aims to redesign this layer using a dual-pronged approach. First, researchers will work to protect the existing carbon layer by developing protecting oxide coatings. The project will first develop protective oxide coatings for the existing fullerene layer while also exploring robust, ultra-transparent replacement materials.
Objective
Perovskite tandem solar cells represent the most promising path to surpass the efficiency limits of conventional silicon photovoltaics. However, their progress is critically hampered by the incumbent electron transport layer (ETL), C60, which suffers from two intrinsic flaws: parasitic absorption of incident light, and chemical instability in the presence of oxygen, which together cap the maximum achievable efficiency and operational lifetime. This project, NEXT-ETM, will overcome this C60 bottleneck through a systematic, dual-pronged approach. Initially, the project will investigate novel encapsulation strategies using metal oxides and polyoxometalates to stabilize the C60 layer and mitigate its degradation. Should this prove insufficient for long-term stability, we will enact a paradigm shift by developing and integrating entirely new, C60-free ETLs. These will be drawn from two innovative material classes: (1) highly transparent inorganic materials (e.g. modified SnO2, POMs), and (2) custom-synthesized organic non-fullerene acceptors (e.g. PDI/NDI derivatives) specifically engineered for optical transparency and chemical robustness. The ultimate goal is to deliver a monolithic tandem solar cell with a certified power conversion efficiency exceeding 36% and a significantly enhanced operational lifetime compared to current fullerene-based devices. By solving this critical material challenge, NEXT-ETM will unlock the full potential of tandem technology and contribute to its commercial viability, reinforcing Europe's leadership in renewable 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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy photovoltaic
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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)
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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
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
80539 Planegg
Germany
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.