Publication date: 15th December 2025
Efficient photosystems for solar-to-chemical energy conversion are often based on nanostructured semiconductor architectures. In these material systems, the nanoscale
properties frequently dominate the performance at the macroscale. Therefore, local understanding of their charge transfer and transport properties is decisive for optimizing
their efficiency and stability.
To this end, we correlate Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and (photo)conductive atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study the local band bending, charge accumulation,
as well as variations in the generated surface photovoltage and (photo)conductivity. However, analyzing nanostructured materials with complex morphologies is not trivial, as effects such as topographic crosstalk or surface potential averaging can significantly influence the results obtained with different techniques. To overcome these issues, we leverage 2nd eigenmode and heterodyne KPFM measurements with improved resolution and sensitivity compared to conventional frequency- and amplitude-modulated techniques. For (photo)conductive AFM, a special tapping mode with simultaneous current measurements is used to reduce sample and probe damage, enabling measurements on polycrystalline films. For BiVO4, one of the most extensively studied metal oxide photoanode materials, we compare different KPFM modes and correlate the results with local conductivity measurements to gain insights into local semiconductor properties at grain boundaries or different crystal facets. Overall, the gained nanoscale insights will put forward the development of rational design strategies to enhance the macroscale durability and efficiency of solar energy conversion systems.
nanoGe is a prestigious brand of successful science conferences that are developed along the year in different areas of the world since 2009. Our worldwide conferences cover cutting-edge materials topics like perovskite solar cells, photovoltaics, optoelectronics, solar fuel conversion, surface science, catalysis and two-dimensional materials, among many others.
Previously nanoGe Spring Meeting (NSM) and nanoGe Fall Meeting (NFM), MATSUS is a multiple symposia conference focused on a broad set of topics of advanced materials preparation, their fundamental properties, and their applications, in fields such as renewable energy, photovoltaics, lighting, semiconductor quantum dots, 2-D materials synthesis, charge carriers dynamics, microscopy and spectroscopy semiconductors fundamentals, etc.
International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics
International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics (HOPV) is celebrated yearly in May. The main topics are the development, function and modeling of materials and devices for hybrid and organic solar cells. The field is now dominated by perovskite solar cells but also other hybrid technologies, as organic solar cells, quantum dot solar cells, and dye-sensitized solar cells and their integration into devices for photoelectrochemical solar fuel production.
Asia-Pacific International Conference on Perovskite, Organic Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics
The main topics of the Asia-Pacific International Conference on Perovskite, Organic Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics (IPEROP) are discussed every year in Asia-Pacific for gathering the recent advances in the fields of material preparation, modeling and fabrication of perovskite and hybrid and organic materials. Photovoltaic devices are analyzed from fundamental physics and materials properties to a broad set of applications. The conference also covers the developments of perovskite optoelectronics, including light-emitting diodes, lasers, optical devices, nanophotonics, nonlinear optical properties, colloidal nanostructures, photophysics and light-matter coupling.
The International Conference on Perovskite Thin Film Photovoltaics Perovskite Photonics and Optoelectronics (NIPHO) is the best place to hear the latest developments in perovskite solar cells as well as on recent advances in the fields of perovskite light-emitting diodes, lasers, optical devices, nanophotonics, nonlinear optical properties, colloidal nanostructures, photophysics and light-matter coupling.