Thin films of nanostructured oxides are the key materials in various electronic and optical devices that are essential in modern human life. In particular, those materials have been extensively investigated for use converting light to energy due to their optical properties, stability and relatively low cost. Semiconductor metal oxide can be designed to have a functionality that results from properties of their constituent phases. Cathodic electrodeposition has been proposed as an alternative route for the production of oxide coatings. Some technological advantages for this method can be pointed out as simplicity and economy, control on film thickness .... Read more

Photovoltaic (PV) technology, which directly converts solar energy into electrical energy, is regarded as one of the most promising renewable and clean energy technologies. Currently, developing low-cost and highly efficient PV technology is a major research focus in both academia and industry. In this context, perovskite solar cells (PSCs), utilizing metal halide perovskites [ABX3, where A = CH3NH3+ (MA+), CH(NH2)2+ (FA+), Cs+; B = Pb2+; X = Cl, Br, I] as light-harvesting materials, are gaining significant attention due to their simple fabrication process and high-power conversion efficiency (PCE). In the coming days, eliminating non-essential charge carrier recombination in devices and enhancing device stability will be formidable challenges and key focuses of the next stage of research. In all different architectures, the charge carrier transfer processes at the interfaces—namely, the perovskite/electron transport layer (ETL) interface and the perovskite/hole transport layer (HTL) interface—along with them interfacial materials, play crucial roles in achieving high PCE and stability.  .... Read more

Despite the great action of the Luz para Todos program (2003), relaunched in 2023, there are still around one million people without access to electricity in the Amazon today. On the other hand, the rural electricity grid, which is largely made up of one-phase with ground return type, does not allow the implementation of small eficiente production systems, either due to the lack of equipment equipped with single-phase motors, or due the poor quality of the energy provided, or due to the high cost of energy. In the Amazon rural, the municipal road network crosses several small watercourses, with access restricted to small wooden bridges. This study addresses the application of very and ultra-low head micro hydro power .... Read more

The electrochemical, as well as photo-electrochemical, conversion of CO2 and H2O into fuels, such as methanol, ethanol, and H2, using metal or transition metal oxide catalysts, holds strong promise for renewable and sustainable fuel generation. However, the catalytic activity and catalyst stability under operating conditions are still major challenges to be addressed. In this presentation, I will discuss two different topics. The first one is polaron-mediated oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity enhancement on the (110) surface of rutile TiO2, and the second one is copper cathodic corrosion during CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). 1st topic: The focus of this study is rutile TiO2, a material extensively explored for solar energy conversion in artificial photosynthesis, with a specific emphasis on producing green H2 through . .... Read more