PhD Student - Nanostructured Materials for Photovoltaic Energy Group

As a flagship research center in nanoscience and nanotechnology, our mission is to open and explore new frontiers of knowledge at the nanoscale and bring value to society in the form of new understanding, capabilities and innovation, while inspiring and providing broad training to the next generations of researchers.

Our research lines focus on the newly discovered physical and chemical properties that arise from the behaviour of matter at the nanoscale. ICN2 has been awarded with the Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence distinction for three consecutive periods (2014-2018 and 2018-2022 and 2023-2026). ICN2 comprises 20 Research Groups, 7 Technical Development and Support Units and Facilities, and 2 Research Platforms, covering different areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Job Title: PhD Student

Research area or group: Nanostructured Materials for Photovoltaic Energy Group (NMPE)

Description of Group/Project:

The project title is Pb-free Perovskite/MXene Heterojunctions for Solar Energy Conversion (PerMXSol).

Summary: Photovoltaics and green hydrogen are among the most promising renewable energy sources. In the next few decades, PV will face an increasing demand worldwide, and it is predicted that H2 will experience a sustainable increase in its consumption. The transformation into a green-energy society will only be possible if we develop novel, toxic-free green materials with exceptional efficiency, scalability, cost effective and reliability. The extraordinary optoelectronic properties of metal halide perovskites allow multiple functionalities for solar energy conversion, such as solar-to-fuels (H2 generation and CO2 reduction) and solar-to-electricity (photovoltaics) applications. However, their toxicity, due to the presence of Pb, and their poor stability prevent them for further development and commercialization. A new class of MHPs, that we call in this project "Ligand Perovskites", can revolutionize the PV and H2 generation systems due to their enhanced stability towards moisture and water. In the PerMXSol project the student will: (a) Synthesize Pb-free MHPs with selected A-site organic ligands to form what we call Ligand Perovskites, (b) Synthesize and exfoliate MXenes to tune their optoelectronic properties, (c) employ and optimize different organic additives with selected functional groups to functionalize the Pb-free MHP and the MXene material, (c) fabricate Ligand Perovskites/MXene heterojunctions as powders and thin films and (d) apply the heterojunctions in perovskite solar cell (to enhance stability) and in photo(electro)catalysis (as water-stable materials) for H2 generation.

The student will carry out the research work under the supervision of Prof. Monica Lira-Cantu Group Leader of the Nanostructured Materials for Photovoltaic Energy Group at ICN2. The Nanostructured Materials for Photovoltaic Energy Group (NMPE) group focuses on the synthesis of novel nanomaterials and the control of their optoelectronic properties through their manipulation at molecular level, with the aim of developing highly stable and highly efficient perovskite solar cells. Specifically, our contribution is in solution processable metal oxides (classical and complex), halide perovskites (Pb-free, 2D and 3D) and more recently 2D materials and MXenes. We aim at the development of highly stable solar cells for industrial applications (e.g. building integration PV) and novel self-powered photovoltaic-based devices for Internet of things (IoT) applications (e.g. indoor applications, sensors, wearables, printed electronics). The group, with more than 15 years of experience in the field, is internationally recognized for its implication in the enhancement of the operational stability of emerging photovoltaics and the development of ISOS protocols.

Main Tasks and responsibilities:

• Synthesis and characterization of halide perovskites and MXenes nanomaterials
• Fabrication of MXene and halide perovskite single thin films and heterojunctions via different methods (spin-coating, spray pyrolysis, etc.)
• Fabrication of complete solar cells
• Analysis of materials for H2 production
• Characterisation of the individual materials used in the device, as well as the complete solar cell devices by means of electrical and optical techniques.
• Process and analyse the characterisation data, keep the research data organised.
• Elaboration of periodic reports to keep track of the project progress.
• Preparation of scientific manuscripts and presentations in workshops or conferences to showcase your research results to the scientific community.

Requirements:

• Education:  Master studies in Physics, Chemistry, Materials science Nanotechnology or similar.

• Knowledge andProfessional Experience: Experience in Pb-free halide perovskites. High level of experimental skills and self-discipline to fabricate reproducible devices. Experience in solution processing and synthesis of nanomaterials.

• Personal Competences: English (Advanced), knowledge of Spanish or Catalan would be beneficial but not necessary. Ability to work safely in the lab environment. Previous experience on semiconductor physics, organic electronics or electrical characterisation (electrochemistry, impedance spectroscopy, etc.) would be an advantage. We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, but also stimulate interaction and discussion with colleagues.

Summary of conditions:

• Full time work (37,5 h/week)
• Contract Length: 3 years
• Location: Bellaterra (Barcelona)
• Salary will depend on qualifications and demonstrated experience.

Estimated Incorporation date:  as soon as possible

El contrato es parte de la ayuda PID2022-143344OB-I00, financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y por el FSE+ invierte en tu futuro

How to apply:

All applications must be made via the ICN2 website and include the following:

Deadline for applications: March 15th 2024

Equal opportunities:

ICN2 is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion of people with disabilities.

ICN2 is following the procedure for contract of people with disabilities according with article 59 of the Royal Decree 1/2015, of 30 of October.