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SNF Korean Swiss project: Molecular and physical aspects of dye sensitization of photoelec-trodes with copper-based sensitizer molecules

English title SNF Korean Swiss project: Molecular and physical aspects of dye sensitization of photoelec-trodes with copper-based sensitizer molecules
Applicant Braun Artur
Number 162232
Funding scheme Bilateral programmes
Research institution Labor für Hochleistungskeramik EMPA
Institution of higher education Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology - EMPA
Main discipline Physical Chemistry
Start/End 01.02.2016 - 31.07.2019
Approved amount 250'000.00
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All Disciplines (3)

Discipline
Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Condensed Matter Physics

Keywords (18)

DSSC; Surface Science; Molecular Catalysts; Solar Fuels; Catalysts; Electrocatalysis; valence band; Molecular Physics; X-ray spectroscopy; Dye Sensitization; Grätzel; Grätzel Cell; Tributsch; Impedance Spectroscopy; Photoemission Spectroscopy; Copper; Charge Transfer; Covalent Attachment

Lay Summary (German)

Lead
Dye sensitization is a method where organic dye molecules are attached to metal oxide semiconductors in order to enhance their potential for photocurrent generation. The search for stable and low-cost dye molecules for photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical applications in solar energy technology is an ongoing quest. In this respect we will explore novel dye chemistry based on copper as central atoms.An aspect of more fundamental nature is the question of dye attachment on electrodes. We will investigate the "wiring" of dye molecules with electrode surfaces with respect to the electrode structure of the interface and with respect for the electronic transport properties of the same. This will be done with electroanalytical methods and x-ray and electron spectroscopy.
Lay summary

Farbstoffmoleküle finden Verwendung in kostengünstigen Solarzellen. Seit 50 Jahren werden solche Moleküle erforscht, entwickelt, verbessert. Ruthenium ist ein wichtiges chemisches Element bei den synthetischen Farbstoffmolekülen. Sein hoher Preis wurde von jeher als Nachteil für seine Verwendung in grossflächigen Solaranlagen empfunden. In diesem Projekt zwischen der Empa, der Universität Basel und dem Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology in Korea sollen Farbstoffmoleküle auf Kupferbasis erforscht werden. Denn Kupfer ist ein viel kostengünstigerer Ausgangsstoff.

Ein vom wissenschaftlichen Standpunkt grundsätzlicherer Aspekt ist die chemische Bindung des Farbstoffmoleküls  an oder dessen Verbindung mit den in Frage kommenden Elektrodenoberflächen. Müssen die Farbstoffmoleküle kovalent an die Elektroden gebunden sein? Dies hätte auch Konsequenzen für die Prozessführung bei grossindustrieller Herstellung und damit für die Kosten des Endprodukts in der Solartechnologie.

Zur Beantwortung dieser Frage ist es erforderlich, dass die Ladungsträgerdynamik und die elektronische Struktur der Grenzfläche zwischen Elektrodenoberflächen und Farbstoffmolekülen experimentell ermittelt wird. Hierzu dienen uns Methoden der Elektroanalytik und der Röntgenspektroskopie. Wir werden die dazu nötigen Experimente unter Betriebsbedingungen der Solarzellen an Grossforschungsanlagen mit den derzeit verfügbar modernsten Instrumenten durchführen.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 11.11.2015

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Employees

Project partner

Publications

Publication
The influence of phosphonic acid protonation state on the efficiency of bis(diimine)copper(I) dye-sensitized solar cells
Stephens A.J., Malzner F.J. , Constable E.C., Housecroft C.E. (2018), The influence of phosphonic acid protonation state on the efficiency of bis(diimine)copper(I) dye-sensitized solar cells, in Sustainable Energy & Fuels, 2, 786 - 794.

Collaboration

Group / person Country
Types of collaboration
Ivo Utke /Empa Thun Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Research Infrastructure
Maarten Nachtegaal /PSI SLS, ENE Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Research Infrastructure
Christian Pettenkofer / Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin Germany (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Research Infrastructure
Bongjin S. Mun / GIST, Gwangju Korean Republic (South Korea) (Asia)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Publication
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
Christophe Moser / EPFL LAPD Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
Zahid Hussain / Advanced Light Source, Berkeley United States of America (North America)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Publication
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
Rita Toth / Empa Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Publication
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
Laetitia Bernard / Empa Switzerland (Europe)
- Research Infrastructure
Mmantsae Diale / Univ. of Pretoria Physics Dept. South Africa (Africa)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
- Industry/business/other use-inspired collaboration
Constable/Housecroft Group / Uni Basel Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Publication
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
Egmont Rohwer / Univ. of Pretoria Chemistry Dept. South Africa (Africa)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
- Industry/business/other use-inspired collaboration

Scientific events

Active participation

Title Type of contribution Title of article or contribution Date Place Persons involved
Empa PhD symposium Poster Molecular and physical aspects of dye sensitization using copper based sensitizers 13.11.2017 Dübendorf, Switzerland Top Jens;
Empa PhD symposium Poster Molecular and physical aspects of dye sensitization using copper based sensitizers 13.11.2017 Dübendorf, Switzerland Top Jens;
LightChEC 2017 Poster Molecular and physical aspects of dye sensitization using copper based sensitizers 03.11.2017 Zürich, Switzerland Top Jens;
53rd Symposium on Theoretical Chemistry 2017 Poster Origin of 'Frustration' in Frustrated Lewis Paris 24.08.2017 Basel, Switzerland Top Jens;
SCG Fall meeting 2017 Poster Molecular and physical aspects of dye sensitization using copper based sensitizers 22.08.2017 Bern, Switzerland Top Jens;
ChemCYS 2018 Talk given at a conference Molecular and physical aspects of dye sensitization using copper based sensitizers 22.02.2017 Blankenberge, Belgium Top Jens;
IMEC belux2 meeting Poster Molecular and physical aspects of dye sensitization of photoelectrodes with copper-based sensitizer molecules 17.11.2016 Leuven, Belgium Stephens Alexander; Top Jens; Mun Bongjin Simon; Braun Artur;
SwissPEC 2016 Symposium Poster Molecular and physical aspects of dye sensitization of photoelectrodes with copper-based sensitizer molecules 11.11.2016 Lausanne, Switzerland Stephens Alexander; Braun Artur; Top Jens;
Swiss PEC Symposium 2016 Talk given at a conference Intermediates in PEC water oxidation - how they come and how they go 11.11.2016 Lausanne, Switzerland Braun Artur;
Swiss PEC Symposium 2016 Poster Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation 11.11.2016 Lausanne, Switzerland Stephens Alexander; Braun Artur; Top Jens;
Empa PhD Students' Symposium 2016 Poster In situ photoelectron spectroscopy on a novel ruthenium complex for electrochemical water oxidation 07.11.2016 Dübendorf, Switzerland Stephens Alexander; Top Jens; Braun Artur;
Biohybrid Solarcells Satellite Meeting of the 17th International Congress on Photosynthesis Research Poster In situ photoelectron spectroscopy on a ruthenium complex for electrochemical water oxidation 04.08.2016 Slenaken, Netherlands Braun Artur; Top Jens;
18th Topical ISE Meeting Poster Self-assembled Ru-Co based molecular POM WOC 18.03.2016 Gwangju, Korean Republic (South Korea) Braun Artur;


Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
149031 Production of Liquid Solar Fuels from CO2 and Water: Using Renewable Energy Resources 01.03.2014 Bilateral programmes
121306 Fundamental Aspects of Photocatalysis and Photoelectrochemistry / Basic Research Instrumentation for Functional Characterization 01.07.2008 R'EQUIP
189455 Flanders/Swiss Lead Agency Process: Charge and energy transfer between cyanobacteria and semiconductor electrodes under gamma-irradiation 01.10.2020 Project funding (Div. I-III)
137868 Reaction-diffusion processes for the growth of patterned structures and architectures: A bottom-up approach for photoelectrochemical electrodes 01.03.2012 Project funding (Div. I-III)
147413 International Exploratory Workshop on Soft X-rays, Electrochemistry, and Energy Materials 01.05.2013 International Exploratory Workshops

Abstract

This is a joint project between Empa, Uni Basel and GIST Ertl center in Korea. The scope of the project is the covalent attachment of molecular electrocatalysts on electrode supports ad their assessment with electroanalytic and x-ray spectroscopy methods.
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