Artificial leaves for solar fuels generation

The adverse environmental impacts of CO₂ emissions are driving the demand for sustainable approaches to clean-energy production. CO₂ can be converted to value-added products through photoelectrochemical reactions using solar energy. However, the thermodynamic and kinetic challenges associated with such a reaction make it a complex system. The key elements for achieving high direct solar-to-fuel conversions are semiconducting materials and co-catalysts. When a semiconductor material is exposed to light, it generates electrons and holes that have the potential to conduct oxidation and reduction reactions. Co-catalysts can be employed to lower the energy barrier for these reactions further and enhance selectivity for the desired product.  Therefore, there is a significant interest in developing efficient photo absorbers and co-catalysts to improve energy conversion and catalytic activity. The semiconducting-co-catalyst systems can deliver a standalone device that mimics the functionality of leaves by converting CO₂/H₂O to energy.

In this project, you will fabricate perovskite-based thin films as photocathodes via state-of-the-art deposition processes and tools. These perovskite layers will be coated with multiple layers of metal oxides and co-catalysts to promote the intended photo(electro)chemical reaction. You will conduct various electrical, physical, and photo(electrochemical) characterizations and studies to evaluate their performance for solar fuel generation in different electrolytes. Thanks to your study, by combining with a suitable photoanode developed by our group, you will fabricate a standalone artificial leaf-like device that reduces atmospheric CO₂ to valuable products like CH₄, CH₃OH, or water to H₂. 

The work will be conducted in the newly built laboratories at imec in EnergyVille, Genk, working in one of the world’s premier research centres for energy research.