Kesterite semiconductors are among the most promising p-type absorber materials for sustainable thin-film photovoltaics, combining earth-abundant elements, low toxicity, low manufacturing cost, and high absorption coefficients. Our research focuses on the development of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS), Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ (CZTSSe), and Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ (CZTSe) for next-generation photovoltaic technologies.

• • Kesterite Properties and Bandgap Tuning

    The group focuses on tailoring the chemical composition of kesterite absorbers to tune their optoelectronic properties (e.g., bandgap). By precisely adjusting the absorber composition, different operational conditions are targeted: sulfo-selenide kesterites (CZTSSe) are developed for standard outdoor applications and high-efficiency tandem solar architectures with perovskites, while pure-sulfide compounds (CZTS) are investigated for indoor power generation.

• • Solution-Based Synthesis and Flexible Photovoltaics

    The group develops solution-based synthesis routes to establish low-cost and industrially scalable manufacturing technologies, using both conventional spin-coating and advanced inkjet printing. This chemical approach enables the fabrication of flexible solar cells. To assess their viability for integrated photovoltaics, these flexible devices are tested under different mechanical bending conditions, evaluating their durability and performance stability under strain.

• • Eco-Friendly Buffer Layers

    Concurrently, the group investigates, experimentally and through numerical modelling, the substitution of the conventional but toxic CdS buffer layer with greener alternatives, depositing zinc tin oxide thin films via Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD).

• • Advanced Applications: Nanoparticles and Photocatalysis

    Additionally, beyond their conventional role as thin-film absorbers, CZTS nanoparticles synthesised via the hot-injection method are tested as Hole Transport Material (HTM) in perovskite solar cells and in photocatalysis processes.

• • Our Approach: From Synthesis to Device Validation

    We combine advanced chemical synthesis with comprehensive optoelectronic and structural characterisation to drive our materials from design to prototype devices on rigid and flexible substrates. Our state-of-the-art facilities for thin-film processing, characterisation, and photovoltaic performance testing under controlled environments support our workflow.

Halide perovskites are among the fastest advancing PV technologies in terms of efficiency improvement thanks to their outstanding absorption coefficients, high charge-carrier mobility, and exceptional compositional tunability. Our research focuses on the design, optimisation, and advanced application of these materials to engineer next-generation, high-efficiency PV technologies.

• • Bandgap Engineering and Applications
    

    Research targets the precise control of the perovskite’s bandgap, absorption and charge transport, making these materials suitable for a wide range of applications, including high-efficiency solar cells, top-cell absorbers optimised for tandem solar architectures in combination with kesterites, and semi-transparent devices.

• • Alternative HTM and Stability Optimisation
    

    To enhance long-term performance while maintaining competitive efficiencies, the group tackles the characteristic stability challenges of these materials in inverted perovskite architectures by employing CZTS nanoparticles as alternative HTMs.

• • Semi-Transparent and Coloured PV
    

    The group is working on semi-transparent perovskite solar cells optimised for building-integrated photovoltaics, combining high efficiency with controlled light transmission. To enhance device aesthetics for architectural integration, coloured coatings deposited via Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) are currently under investigation.

• • Lead-Free Alternatives
    

    To address toxicity concerns typically associated with lead-based perovskites, our research actively explores lead-free alternatives, such as tin-based perovskites and bismuth-based low-dimensional systems, also suitable for thermoelectric applications.

• • Beyond Photovoltaics: Radiation Detection
    

    Extending our expertise beyond conventional photovoltaics, the group works on the growth and optimisation of high-quality lead-halide perovskite single crystals. These advanced materials are specifically developed for radiation detection applications in astroparticle physics, utilizing ultra-low-radioactivity lead of archaeological origin.

• • Our Approach: From Synthesis to Device Validation
    

    We combine advanced chemical synthesis with comprehensive optoelectronic and structural characterisation to drive our materials from design to prototype devices on rigid and flexible substrates. Our state-of-the-art facilities for thin-film processing, characterisation, and photovoltaic performance testing under controlled environments support our workflow.

We focus on developing innovative thin-film charge transport layers to push the efficiency boundaries of next-generation solar cells. Our ongoing work follows two main avenues: the investigation of transition metal oxides deposited via Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) to serve as Electron Transport Layers (ETL) and Hole Transport Layers (HTL) in silicon heterojunction configurations, and the design of innovative charge transport layers tailored for perovskite solar cells. When working with silicon devices, we tailor these ALD-grown transition metal oxide layers to act as highly selective contacts that facilitate carrier extraction without disrupting the delicate, ultra-thin silicon oxide passivation layer underneath. Achieving high optical transparency is a core priority here, as it prevents unwanted parasitic absorption losses. Alongside this, we explore low-cost, spin-coated inorganic materials. By integrating these nanoparticle-based films, we aim to optimise transport interfaces and significantly extend the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells.