Groupleader: Prof. dr. Esther Alarcon Llado
Our group focuses on the investigation of nanoscale phenomena at (electrified) solid-liquid interfaces and the development of new materials and energy conversion principles for sustainable energy generation.
Current photovoltaic technologies require the use of highly pure materials, where the purification process is very energy intensive. In the group, we investigate how the same conversion efficiency can be obtained with lower quality material by introducing nanophotonic concepts and rational light management strategies. We develop new fabrication pathways for photovoltaic absorber and contact layers within the framework of circular chemistry, that minimize raw material usage and less energy-intensive systems. In parallel, we are interested in the (in)direct storage of solar energy. In particular, we focus on underpinning the key physico-chemical properties of solid-liquid interfaces that rule charge transfer and conversion from electrical to chemical energy. For this, we develop in-situ characterisation techniques with which electrochemical, optical and surface properties of materials can be determined with nanoscale resolution.
Group Members
