An Experiences as Visiting Scientist at Ecolé Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland

Articles was translated from original articles of "Anugerah Merdeka – Pengalaman Penyelidikan Tenaga Suria di Switzerland" published by Adee in Majalah Sains (Science Magazine) on 15 August 2017.

10th collaboration Article between Majalah Sains and Young Scientist Network-Malaysia Academy of Science (YSN-ASM)

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Articles by: Dr. Sukor Su’ait, YSN-ASM member Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Canton of Valais Wallis

A discussion with Prof. Dr. Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin

In winter 2016, I have been attended my short-term attachment sponsored by Merdeka Awards grant for International Attachment 2015 at Ecolé Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, where the most ground-breaking of emerging solar cells was reported. Recently, the school has been rank as the best chemistry school in Europe for 2016. During the attachment period, I have been attached to group for molecular engineering of functional materials (GMF); lead by Prof. Dr. Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin from Institute of Chemical Science and Engineering, Faculty of Basic Science, EPFL Valais Wallis; an EPFL satellite campus in city of Sion. The region is located in the middle of Alps region, 80 km from the second highest mountain in Europe, Mount Blanc and housing hundreds of ski-centers. Prof. Nazeeruddin is one of the most cited Chemist and world’s most influential scientific minds by ISI Thompson in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He is an expert in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), perovskite solar cells (PSCs), and organic light emitting diode (OLED). He has published over 500 peer reviewed scientific articles with an H-index of 117 (total number of citations over 60 000), and the inventor of over 50 patents. In 2016, the group managed to publish almost 50 high impact scientific papers and scientific contribution.

The aims of the attachment are to expand knowledge in designing and exploring palm based materials for emerging solar cells application. I had fabricated solid-state DSSCs utilizing palm-based polyurethane polymer electrolytes with assistance by Mr. Alexander Jodlowski, guest PhD Student from Institute of Fine Chemistry and Nanochemistry, Department of Physical Chemistry and Applied Thermodynamics, University of Cordoba, Spain. As a result, we successfully increase the power conversion efficiency of palm based polymer electrolytes in solid-state DSSCs by three-fold and characterized its properties. I also took the chances to perform various analysis with expert’s assistances matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and nuclear magnetic resonances (NMR) analysis on the palm based polymer electrolytes. Even though, I miss the opportunity to meet Prof. Michel Gratzel, the founding father of DSSCs & PSCs, I am lucky to have a visit by Prof Dr.-Ing. Paul Liska, a research associate at laboratory of photonics and interfaces, EPFL Lausanne. It is very fruitful to talk on future research collaboration for solid-state DSSCs modules. They seems very interested on the ability of our palm based polymer materials to

sealed the cells very well like an adhesives.

Synthesis of new hole transport materials (HTM)

In addition, we had other collaboration project on synthesizing a novel electron donor polymer for emerging solar cells applications. The new material also has future prospect to be utilized in other electronic devices such as OLED, electrochromic windows and actuators. The concept could be extended for utilizing palm oil as starting materials in the polymerization route. For this work, I had to start works with purification of starting materials using column chromatography, followed by hydrolysis of hole transport materials (HTM) and ended by additional polymerization via polycondensation reaction. I was assisted by Mr. Kasparas Rakstys, third year doctoral program in chemistry and chemical engineering, EPFL.

Fabricated perovskite solar cells (PSCs)

Apart from both activities, I also had an opportunity to learn the fabrication techniques of PSCs done by my colleagues. The standard cell of PSCs that has been fabricated gives a good result of 16% efficiency. However, it could be improved up to 19% as benchmarking PSCs in EPFL. Prof. Dr. Nazeeruddin highlighted that perovskite solar cells will be a promising future photovoltaic devices. However, the major challenges are cells stability and its efficiency.

A high standard of safety regulation in laboratories practices is implemented here, making me realize that Malaysians are very unserious about their safety precaution. We often saw how hazardous waste is not disposed in the right manner, how the halogenated and non-halogenated chemicals are not separated accordingly. I was both shocked and sad to discover that the importance of protective equipment such as laboratory, goggles, gloves and mask were taken lightly by us back in Malaysia. Only due to one incidents, our laboratories in EPFL were shut down for three weeks and placed under surveillance for next six months by EPFL’s safety department. Safety and health of the members are the top priority here. Our senior postdoctoral who leads the safety briefing, strongly urging everyone to follow the safety rules, and took safety precaution to avoid any possibilities. All of the members are given the opportunity to attend safety training and refresh their thoughts on all of the safety procedures. We also need to do housekeeping and cleaning our workplaces as well as samples need to be labeled using a sticker that has the various hazardous levels indicators.

Jungfraujoch Peak at 3454 m above sea level

Apart from laboratory works, I am very appreciated to be able to learn new cultures, meeting new peoples, travelling to spectacular places and exposes to multilingual communities in Switzerland. I am very enjoying the Alps mountain scenery of Grinderwald & Gimmelwald, valley villages near Jungfraujoch peaks (3454 m) which is one of the main summits of the Bernese Alps, located between the northern canton of Bern and the southern Canton of Valais, one of the best ski centers during winter season. The icy air streams are extremely cold yet refreshing and the view from the top really overwhelming. It is amazing the fact that you could almost feel as if you are able to view the entirety of the different part of the world from there. I also took some time off to Rigi Kulm, one of the best spot for enjoying the range of Alps, especially Mount Titlis, and enjoying hot chestnut next to the Luzern’s lake. Having spontaneous conversation with the locals shaped our perception on the country. Swiss citizens are multilingual communities. For your information, Switzerland has four main official languages which is German, French, Italian and Romansh (old Latin) languages divided by geographical border. The citizens a given a freedom to choose the lingua franca of the school up to college degree (A-level equivalent) with English languages are made as compulsory subject as well as two other optional languages.

I feel very welcome and treated very well as one as the members of EPFL during my stay. They occasionally held by get-together events including social lunch and Christmas dinner. It is a great experience and exposure for the future of my scientific careers. I would like to acknowledge Merdeka Awards Grant for the opportunities given to pursue my dreams, which otherwise would involve difficulties and hurdles. Merdeka Awards Grant could serve as a bridge that connects the dots among the missing puzzles in your profession. So, take this opportunity to advance your career and also contribute to the nation. You will never know what you can do until you try.

Before the attachment end, I took a chance to visit Prof. Dr. Paolo Scardi at University of Trento in Italy, as well as collecting few samples for emerging solar cells application. They had previously hosted me as an attachment student for a year in their laboratory, back in 2010

My family short visit