Functional Assemblies of Semiconductor Nanocrystals for Light Harvesting, Charge Separations and Photovoltaics

Description

Light harvesting, in terms of the efficient collection of sunlight, is a topic of global significance, especially due to the limited resources of fuels, air pollution and global warming. Nanoscience and nanotechnology can provide valuable solutions for an effective design of photovoltaic devices, reducing their cost and increasing efficiency. In this project, we suggest the use of semiconductor nanocrystals as components of efficient light-harvesting assemblies with a potential to be employed as components of third-generation photovoltaic devices. Semiconductor nanocrystals are very efficient absorbers of light, whose morphology, electronic structure and optical properties can be controlled with an exceptionally high degree at the synthetic stage. Based on our long-term experience in the chemical synthesis and optical spectroscopy of semiconductor nanocrystals and their assembly into functional structures, this project aims at fabrication and design of functional assemblies of semiconductor nanocrystals allowing for efficient light harvesting and charge separation, with a perspective of their integration into existing dye-sensitized solar cell technology. Starting from the synthesis, surface functionalisation and basic characterisation of nanocrystal building blocks with strong panchromatic and near-infrared absorption and variable surface chemistry, we will move on to fabrication of functional assemblies of semiconductor nanocrystals and/or organic dyes of desired morphology and tailored spectral characteristics. Advanced optical spectroscopy will be employed to study energy and charge transfer processes in these hybrid structures. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project in terms of materials requirements, chemical fabrication techniques and the underlying photophysical processes in complex NC-based structures offers ample perspectives for an improvement of the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells, making them competitive with conventional silicon-based technologies.