Prof Joe Briscoe
MSci (Hons), PhD, FHEA, CSci, MIMMM, MInstP

 

Research Overview

Sustainable Engineering

Renewable Energy, Energy harvesting, Nanomaterials, Photovoltaics, Photoelectrochemistry, Functional Materials, Perovskites, Ferroelectrics

A summary of my research areas can be seen below. Please see my group webpage for full details.

Research Focus

In my research I combine expertise in solution-based synthesis of nanostructured thin films (e.g. nanorods/nanowires, mesoporous films) with the fabrication and testing of a range of sustainable energy devices. Specifically I have expertise in photovoltaics (PVs), photocatalysis/photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) and piezoelectric energy harvesters (nanogenerators). I am particularly interested in how multiple functionalities can interact within these devices, for example electrical polarisation in ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials with light absorption and charge separation.

Please see the 'Funding' tab for more information on specific projects

Research Areas and Expertise

  • Synthesis of nanostructured functional materials, e.g. light-absorber, charge transport layers, photocatalyst (PC) and photoelectrocatalyst (PEC) materials, ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics.
  • Fabrication and testing of inorganic and hybrid devices including:
    • Perovskite solar cells
    • Dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs)
    • Quantum dot-sensitised solar cells
    • Inorganic/organic hybrid nanostructured PVs.
    • Flexible devices, including nanogenerators.
  • Material characterisation including SEM, XRD, XPS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, PL, AFM/PFM, EIS, etc..
  • Computational modelling using Density Functional Theory, with a particular focus on polar (ferroelectric) materials, photoactive materials and interfaces.