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Functional Heterostructures for efficient charge transport in photoelectrochemical systems

English title Functional Heterostructures for efficient charge transport in photoelectrochemical systems
Applicant Fermín David
Number 116898
Funding scheme SNSF Professorships
Research institution Departement für Chemie, Biochemie und Pharmazie Universität Bern
Institution of higher education University of Berne - BE
Main discipline Physical Chemistry
Start/End 01.10.2007 - 31.03.2009
Approved amount 143'267.00
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Keywords (8)

Self-assembly; molecular heterojunctions; charge transport; photoelectrochemistry; quantum dots; redox/conducting polymers; electron transport materials; scanning probe microscopy

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
The assembly of organised architectures incorporating redox active polymers, supramolecular components, metal nanoparticles and quantum dots is a key step towards designing opto-electronic and photo-active devices. In the last 10 years, there have been significant advances in the synthesis of these building blocks as well as on assembling methods for generating 2 and 3D heterostructures. We have also witnessed important progress in the characterisation of these materials at the molecular level. Towards the incorporation of these materials into devices, the key challenge is to effectively control their electronic communication with metal contacts. Charge transport in hybrid heterostructures often differs from the characteristic high charge mobilities through energy bands observed in metal and semiconductor crystals. In fact, the weak electronic coupling between the various functional groups in the assembly manifests itself by hopping type mechanisms through localised energy levels. These processes are strongly dependent on the structure of the assembly and the redox behaviour of the functional components. The aim of this project is to find key correlations between the dynamics of charge transport and the molecular organisation of self-assembled heterostructures at electrode surfaces. Emphasis will be made in two types of assemblies:
(1) Functionalised polyelectrolyte multilayer/redox-conducting polymer (CP) heterojunctions
(2) Quantum-dots (QD) / CP based photoelectrodes
Structural information of the assemblies will be obtained from Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy and Scanning Force Microscopy under electrochemical control. Dynamic spectroelectrochemical and photoelectrochemical techniques based on frequency response analysis will be implemented in order to probe the dynamics of charge transport in theses systems.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

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Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
68708 Molecular Architectures for Efficient Charge Transport in Thin-Layer Systems 01.10.2003 SNSF Professorships

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