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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
Responsible applicant and co-applicants
Name
Institute
Fermín David
School of Chemistry University of Bristol
Employees
Name
Institute
Aslan-Gürel Evren
Eidg. Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt EMPA
Zhao Jianjun
Department of Automation Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Bradbury Chris
EMPA Thun
Associated projects
Number
Title
Start
Funding scheme
68708
Molecular Architectures for Efficient Charge Transport in Thin-Layer Systems
01.10.2003
SNSF Professorships
-