Giulia Grancini Research Group
Photovoltaics
Research
in Pavia
The mission
The research group led by Prof. Giulia Grancini at the University of Pavia, through the PVsquared² initiative, is dedicated to the development of next-generation photovoltaic technologies based on hybrid perovskite solar cells. Their mission is to combine efficiency, long-term stability, and environmental sustainability by designing innovative solar devices that are not only high-performing but also safe and suitable for integration into the built environment. The group’s work stands out for its multidisciplinary approach, blending advanced materials chemistry, ultrafast spectroscopy, device engineering, and computational modeling to understand and control the physical and chemical processes governing solar cell operation. Operating at the cutting edge of frontier research, the team develops breakthrough solutions such as multidimensional interfaces for charge separation, high-efficiency tandem cells, and molecular strategies for selective lead trapping. Internationally recognized, the group represents a leading example of Italian scientific excellence in solar energy research, with a strong impact on the energy transition and a clear vision for scalable, sustainable, and technologically transformative applications.
Research contest
The growing demand for energy imposed by our society is significantly affecting our everyday life and the environment. Governments are active with concrete actions in supporting alternative ways to supply electricity aiming at reaching to reach “Net Zero” by 2050. Among renewable resources, solar energy has emerged as the most efficient and cost-effective approach to face the global challenge of green energy production in the contest of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In this respect, photovoltaic (PV) devices can provide the world with large amounts of clean electricity that would vastly exceed our needs and reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide emissions. The development of Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs), which have recently been revolutionizing the PV scene, showing impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) > 26% and thus climbing over the existing solar technologies, are widely recognized as one of the most exciting fields of research of our time. However, despite the full potential of this technology, the poor device stability under operative conditions is a big barrier hampers their commercialization.
Research Focus
Our research is dedicated to tackling key challenges in the field of hybrid organic–inorganic halide perovskites, with the overarching goal of developing high-efficiency and stable laboratory-scale devices. These efforts aim to address the critical limitations currently hindering the commercial rollout of this innovative photovoltaic technology.
Our group focuses on four main research directions:
- Designing 2D and multi-dimensional hybrid interfaces to enable efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs), including for indoor photovoltaic applications.
- Developing advanced strategies for device encapsulation to improve long-term performance and durability.
- Applying green chemistry principles to establish sustainable recycling protocols, mitigating toxicity and environmental concerns, and paving the way for responsible End-of-Life (EoL) management of perovskite-based technologies.
- Investigating the photophysical properties of perovskite thin films using ultrafast and time-resolved optoelectronic techniques to gain a deeper understanding of charge dynamics and material behavior.
Through these integrated efforts, we aim to drive forward the scientific and technological maturity of perovskite solar cells toward a sustainable energy future.
High Efficiency
Cost Effectiveness
Low-Cost Materials
GET INTO THE LAB
Get into the LAB
Group description
The PVSquared² research group, led by Prof. Giulia Grancini, is a highly multidisciplinary team composed of chemists, physicists, and engineers dedicated to the development of Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) as the cornerstone of next-generation Photovoltaics (PVs). Their work spans from fundamental material design to device engineering, contributing to the global transition toward sustainable energy.
The group is based at the Department of Chemistry, Division of Physical Chemistry, at the University of Pavia, Italy.
📍 Address:
Department of Chemistry – Physical Chemistry Division
University of Pavia
Viale Taramelli 16, 27100 Pavia, Italy
📧 Email: giulia.grancini@unipv.it
🌐 Website: https://pvsquared2.unipv.it
For collaborations, press inquiries, or further information about the group’s research activities, feel free to reach out directly.