Nanostructuring hybrid perovskites for thermoelectric applications

Meeting the ever increasing energy demand of industrialised nations is one of the most pressing questions of the 21st century. Fossil fuels are a limited primary energy resource and there is global consensus that their combustion has led to excessive greenhouse gas emissions significantly contributing to climate change. Therefore, it is imperative to explore alternative energy sources without generating additional greenhouse gases. Thermoelectric generators (TEG), which produce electrical energy from waste heat are one of the most attractive energy technologies debated today. TEG are based on thermoelectric materials, which when placed into a temperature gradient generate a voltage due to the Seebeck effect. Harnessing this voltage allows to generate electricity from otherwise wasted energy. Despite their enormous potential, the development of TEG as an alternative energy source is still hampered by the lack of suitable, readily available thermoelectric materials. Organic-inorganic perovskites have shown tremendous potential as light harvesters in thin film photovoltaics. Despite their interesting semiconducting properties, hybrid perovskites have not been extensively explored as possible thermoelectric materials, even though their low thermal conductivities and large carrier mobilities should make them ideal candidates. This PhD project will focus on designing and synthesising new hybrid perovskites, specifically for thermoelectric applications.

By nanostructuring the perovskites, we will be able to control doping levels and ionic conductivities, allowing to fine tune their thermoelectric properties. The candidate should have a strong background in synthetic chemistry to synthesize novel organic ligands for perovskite nanostructuring and a vivid interest in device fabrication and material characterisation.