Advancing Solar Harvesting Technology with Kesterite-Inspired Absorbers and High Throughput Materials Discovery

The quest for harnessing solar energy to produce both electricity and fuel represents an enduring pursuit in the realm of renewable energy. Although conventional solar panels have found application in solar fields and rooftops, the realization of this vision necessitates the development of advanced technologies involving innovative materials and novel manufacturing processes. These advancements aim to extend the application of solar energy to diverse contexts such as windows, vehicles, and complex substrates. Despite the identification of numerous photoabsorbers with potential as solar cell materials, only a limited few have transitioned into commercial use.<br/>This presentation will delve into the recent endeavors of our research group, focusing on kesterite-inspired absorbers [1], with a specific emphasis on the effects of doping and cation substitutions in Cu₂CdSnS₄photoabsorbers. We will demonstrate how substitutions involving Ag and Ge impact the structure and optoelectronic characteristics of this material [unpublished findings]. Additionally, we will discuss our research in high-throughput synthesis and characterization techniques, which have led to the discovery of new dopants that enhance the charge transport properties of FeVO₄ photoanodes [2] and ternary Fe-Co-Ni oxide catalysts for the Oxygen evolution reaction [3].<br/><br/>References<br/>[1] S. Lie, L.H Wong* et al, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022,10, 9137-9149<br/>[2] H. Nguyen, L.H. Wong* et al, Solar RRL, 2021, 4 (12), 2000437<br/>[3] M. Ahmed, L.H.Wong* et al, Small, 2023, 19 (2), 2204520