Fundamentals of Energy Conversion Processes
A DFG Cluster of Excellence
News
How organic solar cells could become significantly more efficient
2023-09-27T10:11:32+02:00Sep 27, 2023|
A research group has shown that certain organic dyes can help build virtual highways for the energy.
Functional architecture that builds itself
2023-09-26T09:57:17+02:00Sep 26, 2023|
Combining traditional lithographic methods with the self-organization of DNA origami leads to organic 3D nanostructures on surfaces.
Magnetic magnifier into the nanoworld
2023-09-12T11:37:25+02:00Sep 6, 2023|
In the case of quantum sensing measurements, the type of surrounding electrolyte has an influence.
Events

Maus-Day 2023 - Munich´s Clusters of Excellence
At the Mouse Day 2023, children and young people can do exciting experiments, get lots of information about the clusters and take part in an exciting quiz with great prizes!

e-conversion conference 2023
We are looking forward to our e-conversion conference in Tutzing in October 2023!
Highlights
Recent Publications
Y Zou, J Eichhorn, S Rieger, Y Zheng, S Yuan, L Wolz, L V Spanier, J E Heger, S Yin, C R Everett, L Dai, M Schwartzkopf, C Mu, S V Roth, I D Sharp, C-C Chen, J Feldmann, S D Stranks, P Müller-Buschbaum
Ionic liquids tailoring crystal orientation and electronic properties for stable perovskite solar cells Journal Article
In: Nano Energy, vol. 112, pp. 108449, 2023, ISSN: 2211-2855.
@article{nokey,
title = {Ionic liquids tailoring crystal orientation and electronic properties for stable perovskite solar cells},
author = {Y Zou and J Eichhorn and S Rieger and Y Zheng and S Yuan and L Wolz and L V Spanier and J E Heger and S Yin and C R Everett and L Dai and M Schwartzkopf and C Mu and S V Roth and I D Sharp and C-C Chen and J Feldmann and S D Stranks and P M\"{u}ller-Buschbaum},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211285523002860},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108449},
issn = {2211-2855},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-04-21},
journal = {Nano Energy},
volume = {112},
pages = {108449},
abstract = {The crystallization behavior of perovskite films has a profound influence on the resulting defect densities, charge carrier dynamics and photovoltaic performance. Herein, we introduce ionic liquids into the perovskite component to tailor the crystal growth of perovskite films from a disordered to a preferential corner-up orientation and accordingly increase the charge carrier mobility to accelerate electron transport and extraction. Using time-resolved measurements, we probe the charge carrier generation, transport and recombination behavior in these films and related devices. We find the ionic liquid-containing samples exhibit lower defects, faster charge carrier transport and suppressed non-radiative recombination, contributing to higher efficiency and fill factor. Via operando grazing-incidence small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements, we observe a light-induced lattice compression and grain fragmentation in the control devices, whereas the ionic liquid-containing devices exhibit a slight light-induced crystal reconstitution and stronger tolerance against illumination. Under ambient conditions, the non-encapsulated device with the pyrrolidinium-based ionic compound (Pyr14BF4) maintains 97% of its initial efficiency after 4368 h.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
L Xu, K G Papanikolaou, B A J Lechner, L Je, G A Somorjai, M Salmeron, M Mavrikakis
Formation of active sites on transition metals through reaction-driven migration of surface atoms Journal Article
In: Science, vol. 380, no. 6640, pp. 70-76, 2023.
@article{nokey,
title = {Formation of active sites on transition metals through reaction-driven migration of surface atoms},
author = {L Xu and K G Papanikolaou and B A J Lechner and L Je and G A Somorjai and M Salmeron and M Mavrikakis},
url = {https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.add0089},
doi = {doi:10.1126/science.add0089},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-04-06},
urldate = {2023-04-06},
journal = {Science},
volume = {380},
number = {6640},
pages = {70-76},
abstract = {Adopting low-index single-crystal surfaces as models for metal nanoparticle catalysts has been questioned by the experimental findings of adsorbate-induced formation of subnanometer clusters on several single-crystal surfaces. We used density functional theory calculations to elucidate the conditions that lead to cluster formation and show how adatom formation energies enable efficient screening of the conditions required for adsorbate-induced cluster formation. We studied a combination of eight face-centered cubic transition metals and 18 common surface intermediates and identified systems relevant to catalytic reactions, such as carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation and ammonia (NH3) oxidation. We used kinetic Monte Carlo simulations to elucidate the CO-induced cluster formation process on a copper surface. Scanning tunneling microscopy of CO on a nickel (111) surface that contains steps and dislocations points to the structure sensitivity of this phenomenon. Metal-metal bond breaking that leads to the evolution of catalyst structures under realistic reaction conditions occurs much more broadly than previously thought. In heterogeneous catalysis, it is often assumed that adsorbates have minimal effects on the bonding between surface metal atoms at low temperatures and pressures. Xu et al. used density functional theory to find conditions in which adsorbed molecules can scavenge transition metal atoms by breaking bonds at the surface. These atoms can then form clusters, as observed in kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of carbon monoxide on copper and in scanning tunneling microscopy studies of carbon monoxide on a Ni(111) surface containing steps and dislocations. The reaction mechanisms of several catalytic systems may be dominated by in situ adsorbate-induced active site formation. \textemdashPDS Metal atoms freed from transition metal surfaces during reaction can then form clusters that are catalytically active.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
S Wang, D Han, C Maheu, Z Xu, A Biewald, H Illner, R Hooijer, T Mayer, A Hartschuh, H Ebert, T Bein
Room-temperature synthesis of lead-free copper(I)-antimony(III)-based double perovskite nanocrystals Journal Article
In: APL Materials, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 041110, 2023.
@article{nokey,
title = {Room-temperature synthesis of lead-free copper(I)-antimony(III)-based double perovskite nanocrystals},
author = {S Wang and D Han and C Maheu and Z Xu and A Biewald and H Illner and R Hooijer and T Mayer and A Hartschuh and H Ebert and T Bein},
url = {https://aip.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1063/5.0144708},
doi = {10.1063/5.0144708},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-04-05},
journal = {APL Materials},
volume = {11},
number = {4},
pages = {041110},
abstract = {In the field of perovskite solar cells, explorations of new lead-free all-inorganic perovskite materials are of great interest to address the instability and toxicity issues of lead-based hybrid perovskites. Recently, copper-antimony-based double perovskite materials have been reported with ideal band gaps, which possess great potential as absorbers for photovoltaic applications. Here, we synthesize Cs2CuSbCl6 double perovskite nanocrystals (DPNCs) at ambient conditions by a facile and fast synthesis method, namely, a modified ligand-assisted reprecipitation method. We choose methanol as a solvent for precursor salts as it is less toxic and easily removed in contrast to widely used dimethylformamide. Our computational structure search shows that the Cs2CuSbCl6 structure containing alternating [CuCl6]5− and [SbCl6]3− octahedral units is a metastable phase that is 30 meV/atom higher in energy compared to the ground state structure with [CuCl3]2− and [SbCl6]3− polyhedra. However, this metastable Cs2CuSbCl6 double perovskite structure can be stabilized through solution-based nanocrystal synthesis. Using an anion-exchange method, Cs2CuSbBr6 DPNCs are obtained for the first time, featuring a narrow bandgap of 0.9 eV. Finally, taking advantage of the solution processability of DPNCs, smooth and dense Cs2CuSbCl6 and Cs2CuSbBr6 DPNC films are successfully fabricated.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}