SHINE · Solar energy Harvesting via Intelligent Nanosuspension Electroactive electrolytes

The dual challenges of achieving net-zero emissions and satisfying surging global energy demands highlight the urgent need for advanced renewable energy storage solutions. Solar redox flow batteries (SRFBs) represent smart solutions for simultaneously harvesting and storing solar energy. Nonetheless, their reliance on external semiconducting electrodes for light-induced charge generation hinders their performance due to electrode instability, slow photocharging kinetics, and restricted scalability. To fully unlock the potential of these technologies, SHINE will introduce intrinsic photorechargeable systems in which the redox-active electrolytes themselves act as light-harvesting media, capable of converting sunlight into stored chemical energy without the need for external photoelectrodes. Our approach centers on the synthesis and engineering of a novel class of quantum-dot-sized conducting polymer nanosuspensions electrolytes sensitized with rare-earth (RE³⁺) ions, via acid-assisted polymerization. These photoactive electrolytes will leverage the unique optical properties of RE³⁺ ions to efficiently capture sunlight and directly transfer the harvested energy to the redox-active polymer nanoparticles. Through an interdisciplinary methodology combining advanced chemical synthesis, in-situ spectroelectrochemical characterization, and prototype testing, this research will simultaneously: 1) Guarantee the efficient integration of eco-friendly, low-cost, polymer electrolytes in SRFB technologies. 2) Understand the fundaments of the obtained photo-induced energy transfers. 3) Deliver a scalable and cost-effective SRFB technology that outperforms current systems in energy density and cycle stability, enabling a more efficient, integrated, and sustainable strategy for large-scale solar energy storage that directly supports the EU's green energy transition.