Thesis

Project Overview:
The PhD thesis is part of the ICARUS European project, aiming to develop efficient solar energy conversion systems for a carbon-neutral future. The project focuses on integrating photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting and photovoltaic (PV) power generation.

Key Objectives:
•Develop innovative metal halide perovskite solar cells with tunable bandgaps for broader light absorption.
•Optimize printed carbon-based solar cells and scaffolds for improved conductivity, mechanical resistance, and durability.
•Incorporate innovative carbon counter electrodes into perovskite devices.
•Upscale and manufacture solar modules.
•Integrate the developed modules into a final PEC prototype.

Research Focus:
The PhD candidate will primarily focus on:
•Printed carbon-based solar cells: Optimizing ink properties, investigating the behavior of printed conductive ink under various conditions, and characterizing conductivity and mechanical resistance.
•Perovskite devices: Incorporating innovative carbon counter electrodes and evaluating their performance and stability.
•Module manufacturing: Upscaling and manufacturing solar modules based on the developed technologies.
•PEC prototype integration: Contributing to the final integration of the PEC prototype.

Expected Outcomes:
The research is expected to contribute to the development of highly efficient and sustainable solar energy conversion systems, supporting the transition to a carbon-neutral future. The findings will have implications for both academic research and industrial applications.