"Perovskite solar cells have the potential to revolutionise solar power generation. The devices are printable and low-cost, but simultaneously deliver power conversion efficiencies that match current commercial solar panels. They are almost 'purpose-made' for the UK as the devices actually outperform standard materials in cloudy weather, and will undoubtedly help to transition to a fully net zero energy economy.
This project will take advantage of our recent development of a perovskite solar cell device architecture that includes a novel type of perovskite 2D-layered structure as the charge extraction material. These layered materials self-assemble from solution into atomically thin 'quantum-well'-like structures and their optoelectronic properties can be tuned by the appropriate choice of ligand. The project will thus focus on developing new 'electronically-active' ligands to fabricate novel 2D perovskite materials and maximize charge transport in these systems. The developed materials will then be implemented in real-world devices by fabricating and characterizing complete perovskite solar cells with the overarching goal of improving their performance and stability. "