Tracking Energy Flow in Metal Halide Perovskites for Improved Solar Cells

Details

Metal halide perovskites are the fastest developing solar cell technology in history, however we still do not fully understand how energy moves in these materials. Understanding, and ultimately controlling, energy flow in perovskites is crucial to unlock their full potential. This project exploits cutting edge breakthroughs in microscopy techniques, particularly stroboscopic interference scattering microscopy (stroboSCAT), to track how electrons move through metal halide perovskites on nanometre and picosecond length and timescales. 

In this project, you will push the time resolution into the femtosecond regime allowing you to spatially resolve the ultrafast dynamics in these materials. In addition, this project will capitalise on the unique near-field optical spectroscopy capabilities present at the University of Sheffield which allow tracking excitations on even shorter lengthscales (~10 nm). This technique additionally provides chemical information which will be used to identify the chemical origin of the defects in these materials which we can then target in our processing techniques to eliminate them.

By combining these cutting-edge microscopy techniques, we will gain unparalleled insights into the photophysics and performance of metal halide perovskites at all the length- and time-scales that are important for making efficient solar devices. We believe that the knowledge we gain from this project will lead to significant advancements in the development of these materials which could contribute to society’s transition to a Net-Zero energy generation. 

The student will be co-supervised by Dr Robert Oliver and Dr Jenny Clark, being hosted by the department of Materials Science and Engineering. The student will benefit from a young and dynamic supervisory team, as well as the expertise, lab space and technical support across both research groups and departments. You will meet with both supervisors regularly (weekly and monthly respectively) to discuss the project, your progress and ensure the objectives remain achievable. Your career development will be tailored to your goals and will be supported throughout. The skills gained over the course of your PhD will make you a highly attractive candidate for industry positions or your next steps in academia. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to present at conferences both nationally and internationally. 

Both supervisors are passionate about promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in their groups and wider communities. Therefore, we particularly welcome applicants from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in STEM subjects.

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the project supervisors to discuss your interest in and suitability for the project prior to submitting your application.