Finding efficient ways to store and deliver electrical energy is urgently needed for the large-scale development of renewable energy sources. The use of pseudocapacitive materials, such as 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides, so-called MXenes, is an extremely promising solution to achieve electrochemical energy storage with high power and energy densities, benefiting from fast redox reactions on transition metal oxides. Nevertheless, local electrochemical processes occurring at the solid-liquid interface of pseudocapacitors are currently largely unexplored. The goal of this project is to image for the first time electrochemical processes occurring during pseudocapacitive electrochemical storage on MXenes at the nanoscale with operando Scanning Transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM). Using synchrotron X-ray light, STXM will allow element-selective chemical mapping with 30 kHz). Redox and intercalation pseudocapacitive charging processes will be investigated directly in acidic or alkali cations-containing electrolytes, respectively. By offering unprecedented chemical sensitivity, spatial and temporal resolutions in liquid simultaneously, NANOMXM will provide a radically new method to probe pseudocapacitive electrochemical storage in MXene. Achieving operando imaging of fast electrochemical reactions at the nanoscale would be a major breakthrough that could open new perspectives to investigate further electrochemical processes on metal oxide-based materials.

Several advantages arise from the incorporation of carbon electrode in the perovskite solar cell (PSC) architecture such as reduced material cost, improved device stability and simplified device fabrication process as well as lower emissions. Thus, the primary objective of PEARL is to realize flexible perovskite solar cells processed with industrially viable, scalable and environmentally sound methods, showing long term operational stability surpassing the IEC standards, efficiency of > 25%, lowered production costs below 0.3 EUR/Wp and minimal emissions < 0.01 kg CO2eq/kWh. To reach these objectives, PEARL is focusing on the development of planar, conventional n-i-p, and further n-i-c, device architectures utilizing low-temperature carbon pastes as the top electrodes aiming to the emerging markets of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), vehicle integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) and internet of things (IoT).

The following research proposal is aimed at providing a fundamental understanding of how dopants and defects (including their respective energetic and structural disorder) can modify the electronic structure and charge transport properties of main group metal oxide perovskites, such as oxygen-deficient BaSnO3-x, which possess optically active valent ns2 lone pair states. This project offers an exceptional combination of fundament energy materials theory, advanced spectroscopic characterization, and device demonstrations. One of the main goals of the project is to resolve certain controversies in the current understanding of charge transport in engineered metal oxide semiconductors, which often deviate from the typical band-like models applied to classical crystalline absorber materials. Adding specific dopants and/or defects into oxide perovskites, at relatively high concentrations (1-10 mol %) can lead to increased peak charge carrier mobilities, moderate carrier concentrations (via compensation), and simultaneously generate mid-band gap states with relatively strong optical transitions. This engineering process has the potential to substantially enhance the optoelectronic performance of the oxide semiconductors. A combination of state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical approaches will be used, including advanced chemical deposition and device fabrication, in-depth materials characterization, photo-electrochemical/catalytic analysis, and energy and time dependant spectroscopy. A unique aspect of this research is the characterization of temperature-dependent charge carrier dynamics to provide an accurate mechanistic understanding of thermally activated charge transport in oxide materials by considering dynamic disorder models. Subsequently, we aim to demonstrate how solar thermal integration can act as an innovative strategy to enhance the performance of oxide based photocatalytic and photovoltaic (PV) systems for efficient solar energy conversion up to 10%.

DECODE aims at creating and demonstrating a decentralised and adaptable future lab concept that connects multiple labs on a single platform in order to boost the effectiveness and speed-up the development and innovation path for clean energy materials and technologies. Initially demonstrated for selected hydrogen technologies, the DECODE platform is expected to find wide adoption in the clean technology field in the longer run, including energy harvesting, conversion and storage; clean water technologies; and the synthesis of value-added chemicals and fuels. The core of the platform comprises three elements: the DECODE FABRIC that connects adaptative multi-scale modelling and characterisation suites in a matrix-like structure; a scoring concept to assess modelling and characterisation suites in terms of their integration readiness level (IRL); and an AI-enabled central unit (CPU) that processes the IRL scores, performs the technology mapping to the FABRIC and orchestrates contributions in modelling and characterisation from partner labs. For the platform as a whole, DECODE strives to achieve a high level of flexibility, adaptability, and interoperability, in terms of materials modification strategies, technologies and operating regimes that it will be able to handle. Water electrolysis and hydrogen fuel cell technologies are selected for the demonstration of DECODE’s decentralised labs platform. The project will join leading expertise and capabilities in physical theory and modelling, design, fabrication, operando characterisation and testing of functional materials and components, materials digitalisation and cloud-connected lab operations, and industrial-grade component integration and in-line/end-of-line testing and validation by industrial partners in the consortium.