Project Objectives

In cutting edge energy harnessing, harvesting and storage applications, nanomaterials play nowadays a fundamental role in enhancing and optimizing device performances. Their production by- design enables the possibility of fine-tuning morphological and structural properties of complex structures, resulting in new and/or modified functionalities. Critical role in determining modified and/or enhanced properties is played by the interfaces among different nanomaterials, which regulate most of the physical-chemical characteristics of the new nanomaterials.

The core concept of this project is the development of new heterointerfaces to be applied for specific energy-related applications (namely: excitonic solar cells, Li-ion batteries, photocatalysis), their advanced characterization at the nanoscale level with state-of-the-art techniques and their integration in prototype devices. Strong feedback vectors will lead iterative progress on the preparation of new nanomaterials, correlating the structural properties at the nanoscale with the operational features of the prototype device.

The objective of the project is to build up an extended research international partnership, capable to strengthen the single international collaborations that are at its basis, between EU and non EU research organizations, with the aim to tackle the above mentioned scientific challenges, i.e. developing and characterizing new heterointerfaces for improving device performances. Through the exchange of experienced and early stage researchers and through the realization of different activities, such as meetings and workshops, the twofold objective of developing new energy related nanomaterials and strengthening the networking activities of the Consortium will be addressed, in view of future long lasting collaborations and joint research projects at international level.

The interfacial properties of the newly developed systems will be investigated in depth (such as the mass and energy transfer, the reaction between the interfaces, the simulation of the diffusion and charge transport) before being applied in three prototype systems: (i) Excitonic solar cells; (ii) Lithium ion batteries; (iii) Photocatalysts.

For Excitonic solar cells, the present project, will focus in particular on the investigation of (i) hierarchically self-organized nanostructures; (ii) 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional nanostructures and nanonetworks, including metal oxide semiconductors, carbon nanotubes and graphene; (iii) exploitation of organic and inorganic light harvesters, with the final aim of investigating and optimizing the interaction between the synthetized inorganic matrices and the organic materials.

The know-how and the results obtained on this topic by three of the partners of the consortium (CNR, IPE and CNEA) will represent the basis of the proposed activities. Concerning Lithium ion batteries, the project will move from the documented experience of two of the partners of the Consortium (HU and SNU) on the synthesis and exploitation of nanomaterials (e.g. Li nanoparticels, Li-Ti nanostructures, metal oxide/graphene systems) in the fabrication of such devices, with the final aim of the improvement of their functional performances. Finally, for Photocatalysts, the established results of one of the partners (IPE) will represent the basis of the project activities, which will be focused in particular on the optimization, in terms of structural characteristics and functional properties, of hierarchically ordered two- and three-dimensional titania nanostructures and titania/graphene nanocomposites. Moreover, as the interfaces among different nanomaterials play a crucial role in the production-by-design of the properly tuned functional nanostructures, advanced characterization techniques at the nanoscale will be fundamental in the development of the proposed activities. A fundamental role will be played by electron microscopy techniques, with several partners of the consortium (CNR, UNIZAR, NFL) with documented and international renowned expertise in these fields. Moreover the advanced characterization resources available within the project consortium will be completed by several other techniques, providing fundamental insights in physical phenomena related to carrier accumulation, transport, transfer across the interfaces, and electron and hole carrier directionality, that are of vital importance in the device performance. In addition, a fundamental role will be played by the modelling of the structural and functional properties of the nanomaterials and of the heterointerfaces, as well as of the performances of the prototype devices. Finally, based on the high degree of complementarity of the project consortium, the materials prepared and characterized by the partners will be integrated in prototype device to correlate the functional properties of the device with the interface properties of the hybrid heterostructures

Concerning the organization of the project, Four WPs are planned for the purpose. In WP1 the new heterointerfaces will be produced and characterized. Each partner will be in charge for either production or advanced characterization of the nanomaterials. Strong networking activities are planned among the various partners to foster researchers and information exchange. In WP2 the materials produced and characterized in WP1 will be integrated in devices of

three different categories: (i) excitonic solar cells (XSCs), (ii) Li-ion batteries and (iii) photocatalysts. The functional properties of these devices will correlate with the structural characterization of the heterointerfaces, and will be used as strong feedback vectors towards optimization on the preparation of the nanomaterials. WP3 will aim at disseminating the results obtained by the Consortium among the scientific community of reference through the organization of symposia and workshop, and to strengthen the interaction among the partners to establish long lasting collaborations.

Finally, WP4 will be dedicated to the administrative, financial and legal management of the project, with the final aim of fulfil the project objectives with respect of the proposed timetable.