Solar Energy Conversion group is responsible for the materials development in the direction of solar energy conversion applications. Recent achievements in solar energy engineering focus on composite and multi-layer materials exhibiting highly optically-nonlinear properties which increase light conversion efficiency. The research goal of the group will be development of novel methods for obtaining materials in areas of photovoltaics and photoelectrochemistry. Up to now, we have successfully demonstrated utilization of eutectic composites for water splitting and generation of hydrogen, which is one of promising renewable energy sources. The main advantages of hydrogen fuel are: high energy conversion efficiency, carbon free emission; the ability to be produced from renewable energy sources; and its ability to serve as a storage medium. We have also shown interesting results on increasing weak up-conversion process with plasmonics in a eutectic composite. Up-conversion and plasmonics are on the roadmap of photovoltaic technology, which is why this is another essential direction for the group to work on. According to the research program, we will work on developing thin layers of eutectic composites which can open up several unique opportunities: (i) manufacturing of hybrid materials, including complex oxides and oxide-non-oxide composite semiconductors with improved photoelectrochemical performance, (ii) better understanding of the behaviour of highly crystalline semiconductor hetero-junctions formed in nanoscale multicomponent systems, and (iii) significant impact on areas beyond photo-electrochemistry such as nanotechnology, sensing, chemistry, and photovoltaics. The group will also work on adopting plasmonic nanostructures and metamaterials, which would exhibit enhanced electromagnetic phenomena.

Topics of special interests

• Hybrid materials (thin films and multilayers) effective for catalysis and solar energy applications
• Perspective new materials for energy applications: topological materials, eutectic compounds, low-dimensional materials (2D, 1D, 0D)
• Influence of the low-dimensional effects on the catalytic and photoelectrochemical properties of different materials
• Spectroscopic studies (including in operando) of perspective materials for the catalytic and photoelectrochemical applications
• Theoretical analysis of the influence of the surface and interface effects on the catalytic and photoelectrochemical properties (in cooperation with Elena Voloshina, group Disruptive Technologies)