Prof Joe Briscoe
MSci (Hons), PhD, FHEA, CSci, MIMMM, MInstP
Research Funding
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Current Funded Research Projects
FENCES: FErroelectric NanoComposites for Enhanced Solar energy efficiency Start: 01-06-2021 / End: 31-05-2026 Amount: £1,599,992 FENCES will develop a new approach to solar energy conversion by incorporating nanostructured ferroelectric materials into solar energy devices for both solar-to-electric (photovoltaic) and solar-to-fuel (photocatalysis) conversion. By coupling the bulk photovoltaic effect in the ferroelectric with high efficiency solar absorbs materials, FENCES aims to demonstrate a new route to solar energy conversion with the potential to exceed established efficiency limits. |
Previous Funded Research Projects
3D Photoelectrochemical Imaging in Porous Light-Addressable Structures Start: 04-01-2021 / End: 30-04-2023 The project aims to develop a photoelectrochemical imaging system for mapping of electrochemical processes in three dimensions within porous electrode structures. The new technology will aid the development of novel electrode materials for energy harvesting devices and be suitable for in-situ 3D functional imaging in 3D tissue culture. |
QMIF: Aerosol treatment of commercial perovskite solar cells for improved efficiency and stability Development of aerosol treatment methods to improve the performance of commercial perovskite solar cells and panels |
Other Research Projects
Zinc oxide nanorod piezoelectric energy harvesters: "nanogenerators" Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a piezoelectric material, and ZnO nanorods can be grown easily using solution-based methods with as-grown alignment of the crystal lattice. Thus, when strained, the nanorod arrays will generate a potential difference between their two surfaces, and as such can be used for mechanical energy harvesting. We developed a novel p-n junction based nanogenerator using a junction between ZnO nanorods and PEDOT:PSS, and have developed this to significantly increase the output voltage and power, transfer it to textile substrates for wearable applications, and investigate its commercial potential. |
Photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) We are investigating a range of novel oxide materials and composite systems for both powder-based photocatalysis, and as thin films for photo-electrocatalysis (PEC), focussing on solar fuel generation (artificial photosynthesis). Our particular focus is on the role of ferroelectric polarisation in photocatalysis, and how this can be used to enhance catalyst performance. |
Perovskite solar cells We are investigating alternative materials, material combinations and deposition methods for use in organo-lead halide perovskite solar cells. We use both solution-based synthesis and are also developing chemical vapour deposition methods for large-area deposition and treatment of perovskites. |
Organic and hybrid photovoltaics.png) We are collaborating with various groups to produce hybrid organic-inorganic and organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. We can produce a wide variety of nanostructured and thin film oxide materials with morphology and composition tuned to the required application. |
Nanostructured photovoltaics.png) We are investigating a wide variety of photovoltaic devices that utilise nanostructured oxide materials to produce a high surface area interface, including both liquid- and solid-state dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs), and both inorganic and organic (carbon-based) quantum dot-sensitised solar cells. We develop both the nanostructured photoanode materials as well as full device structures, and work with collaborators to investigate novel materials such as biomass-derived carbon dots. |
Ferroelectric NanoComposites for Enhanced Solar energy efficiencyWe are aiming to combine the ferroelectric materials with the photo-absorber. In this project, we will be demonstrating the enhanced PV effect in this complex system. |
FENCESFENCES will demonstrate a way to enhance the PV effect by combining the classic ferroelectric materials with conventional photo-absorber. |