Abstract

Energy conversion and storage processes are always coupled to appropriate functional materials. The choice of topics in this lecture will include the development of functional materials for the better utilization of renewable energy sources by understanding structure-composition-property-relations: e.g. improved photo-electro-chemical solar cells, high temperature solar and geothermal heat converters, thermoelectrics, etc and comprises results of current research on perovskite-type thermoelectric and catalytic solid energy converters.

Perovskite-type phases show a particularly high potential for many energy and chemical conversion processes due to their flexible structure and a variety of properties. Prominent examples are electrode materials in fuel cells and batteries, thermoelectric converters, piezoelectrics, photocatalysts, and exhaust gas catalysts.

The very attractive physical-chemical properties of perovskites can be modified and fine-tuned in a controlled way by changing the composition by using varied cations and anions in tailor-made soft chemistry synthesis processes.

The design of novel functional materials requires a procedure that includes diverse synthesis, characterization and testing methods. A fast and efficient feedback loop has to be ensured for a successful materials design and thus interdisciplinary approaches and knowledge on solid state chemistry, crystallography, condensed matter physics, solution chemistry, polymer chemistry, catalysis, thermodynamics, reactor design as well as on process engineering are required.