Fundamentals of Energy Conversion Processes
A DFG Cluster of Excellence
News
Leibniz Prize 2025 for Bettina Lotsch
Caroline Zörlein2025-01-27T13:49:34+01:00Dec 13, 2024|
The Director at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart is honored for her development of new materials.
Crystals as superlenses: The catcher of light
Caroline Zörlein2025-03-05T15:52:45+01:00Dec 11, 2024|
What drives our energy pioneers: Prof. Emiliano Cortés.
Diversity as a catalyst for scientific innovation
Caroline Zörlein2025-03-10T14:02:14+01:00Dec 3, 2024|
Photonics experts urge conference organizers to take action.
Events

Workshop “Towards Operando Nanoscale Microscopy and Spectroscopy”
The workshop aims to discuss new approaches for spatially resolved energy conversion studies under real conditions and to foster interdisciplinary exchange.

Escape from Carbonia - on tour
e-conversion and TUM on the road with Escape Room in Munich.
Highlights
Recent Publications
J S Zhang, L Xie, Z R Li, Y C Zhang, M B Faheem, G J Pan, A Buyan-Arivjikh, X Z Jiang, L X Li, M Schwartzkopf, B Sochor, S K Vayalil, Q Qiao, Z Y Ge, P Müller-Buschbaum
In: Nano Energy, vol. 143, 2025, ISSN: 2211-2855.
@article{nokey,
title = {Real-time probing of the interplay between spinodal decomposition and crystallization during morphological evolution in printed organic solar cells},
author = {J S Zhang and L Xie and Z R Li and Y C Zhang and M B Faheem and G J Pan and A Buyan-Arivjikh and X Z Jiang and L X Li and M Schwartzkopf and B Sochor and S K Vayalil and Q Qiao and Z Y Ge and P M\"{u}ller-Buschbaum},
url = {\<Go to ISI\>://WOS:001529811300001},
doi = {10.1016/j.nanoen.2025.111301},
issn = {2211-2855},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-01},
journal = {Nano Energy},
volume = {143},
abstract = {The performance of organic solar cells (OSCs) strongly depends on the phase separation and crystalline properties within the active layer. However, the lack of deep understanding of morphological evolution, particularly regarding spinodal decomposition and crystallization mechanisms, presents substantial challenges in achieving precise morphological control. In this work, we systematically investigate the film formation of PBDB-TF-TTz: BTP-4F-24 blends during slot-die coating while comparing o-xylene and chlorobenzene (CB) as solvents to create distinct polymer/solvent/non-solvent systems. The complex interplay between the spinodal decomposition and crystallization processes is elucidated through complementary in situ grazing incidence small-angle Xray scattering (GISAXS) and in situ grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) together with the calculation of spinodal curves. Our findings indicate that CB-processed active layers generate larger initial clusters, promoting domain coarsening while suppressing crystallization. In contrast, o-xylene-processed films exhibit optimized phase separation, larger crystallites, and face-on molecular orientations, enhancing charge transport. Additionally, polymer-dominated thermodynamic and kinetic evolution plays a critical role in shaping out the final morphology. Consequently, OSCs fabricated with o-xylene achieve higher power conversion efficiency than those processed with CB. These insights enrich the understanding of morphological evolution and provide valuable guidelines for morphology optimization.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
S Amzil, Y Y Xiao, D H Ma, J P Li, T H Xu, Z Z Ru, L H Cao, M Yang, S Y Luo, M Q Wu, M L Peng, Y H Li, S Tian, J Gao, Y Yu, P Müller-Buschbaum, T Cai, F Zhao, Q Li, Y J Cheng, Y G Xia
Interfacial and solvent dehydrogenation engineering enables long-life high-voltage lithium-ion batteries Journal Article
In: Materials Science & Engineering R-Reports, vol. 166, 2025, ISSN: 0927-796X.
@article{nokey,
title = {Interfacial and solvent dehydrogenation engineering enables long-life high-voltage lithium-ion batteries},
author = {S Amzil and Y Y Xiao and D H Ma and J P Li and T H Xu and Z Z Ru and L H Cao and M Yang and S Y Luo and M Q Wu and M L Peng and Y H Li and S Tian and J Gao and Y Yu and P M\"{u}ller-Buschbaum and T Cai and F Zhao and Q Li and Y J Cheng and Y G Xia},
url = {\<Go to ISI\>://WOS:001523364200001},
doi = {10.1016/j.mser.2025.101051},
issn = {0927-796X},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-01},
journal = {Materials Science \& Engineering R-Reports},
volume = {166},
abstract = {High-voltage lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) using LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NCM811) cathode materials present a promising avenue for increasing energy density. However, achieving stable operation at elevated voltages is hindered by chemical instability in ethylene carbonate (EC)-based electrolytes, leading to parasitic interfacial reactions. Herein, we introduce 2-hydroxy-5-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl) pyridine (HNTFP) as a multifunctional electrolyte additive to mitigate EC dehydrogenation and minimize interfacial side reactions. Leveraging the unique functional groups of HNTFP (NO2, CF3, and C\textendashO), we demonstrate the formation of a robust hybrid/ inorganic cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) on high-voltage cathodes and a fluorine-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on graphite anodes. These interphases enable 4.5 V-charged NCM811||graphite full cells to achieve a capacity retention of 92 % over 500 cycles, while commercial 1 Ah pouch cells retain 89 % over 1000 cycles. This study provides a fresh perspective on electrolyte additive design and underscores the transformative potential of HNTFP in enabling long-life, high-voltage LIBs with superior stability and performance.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
T Höldrich, A Wieland, F Pantle, J Winnerl, M Stutzmann
Selective growth and characterization of GaN nanowires on SiC substrates Journal Article
In: Journal of Crystal Growth, vol. 665, pp. 128194, 2025, ISSN: 0022-0248.
@article{nokey,
title = {Selective growth and characterization of GaN nanowires on SiC substrates},
author = {T H\"{o}ldrich and A Wieland and F Pantle and J Winnerl and M Stutzmann},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022024825001423},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2025.128194},
issn = {0022-0248},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-01},
journal = {Journal of Crystal Growth},
volume = {665},
pages = {128194},
abstract = {GaN on SiC is a promising material combination for high power devices, where especially nanostructures, such as nanowires or nanofins, are a space and resource saving solution. In this work we demonstrate the selective area growth of GaN nanowires on SiC substrates, using the polytype 6H-SiC. We investigate the influence of the Si- and C-polarity of the substrate on the structural properties of the GaN nanowires by scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. On both substrates uniform and hexagonal nanowires are achieved for the respective optimal growth temperature, which is determined to be 20$circ $C higher for Si-polarity. As the polarity combination of the SiC substrate and GaN nanowires strongly influences the electrical properties at the heterointerface due to different charge accumulations, it is necessary to investigate the epitaxial relationship. X-ray diffraction revealed that the GaN nanowires exclusively adopt the orientation of the underlying SiC lattice, leading to an in-plane epitaxial relationship of (11¯00)GaN/(11¯00)6H-SiC. Polarity-selective wet chemical etching and Kelvin probe force microscopy showed that the GaN nanowires preserve the polarity of the substrate, thus, either a predominantly metal-polar (Si-polar/Ga-polar) or non-metal-polar (C-polar/N-polar) orientation is present. The complete epitaxial relationship on both substrate polarities can be identified as (11¯00)[0001]GaN||(11¯00)[0001]6H-SiC for the large majority of NWs at their respective optimum growth temperatures.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}