Engineering Excited States, Orbital Coupling and Quantum Coherence Phenomena in Photoelectrochemical Energy Conversion Devices

Introduction

Excited aims to advance fundamental understanding of light-initiated reactions in molecular sensitizers that can display quantum coherent behavior in their excited state dynamics at room temperature. Moreover, it will also focus on the investigation of quantum coherent contributions to the solar-to-energy conversion efficiency in solar cells.

Importance of Quantum-Coherent Dynamics

Understanding the importance of quantum-coherent dynamics in biological systems has been key to assessing whether this phenomenon is not just present but crucial for the control and command of energy transport in molecular-based systems.

It is of utmost importance to validate models in which these quantum phenomena can be translated to materials that provide efficient solar-to-power conversion technologies.

Project Scope

Excited is not only a project where molecular solar cells will be fabricated and their physical properties measured. Excited goes well beyond that and will pave the way for the development of solar cells that will be tailor-made to utilize quantum coherence, molecular hybridization, and orbital coupling effects to increase solar-to-energy conversion efficiency.

Multidisciplinary Approach

It is clear that this challenge can only be successful under the scope of a multidisciplinary perspective open to new and feasible hypotheses. Therefore, I will make use of the research group's knowledge in synthetic chemistry that has allowed us to obtain numerous sensitizers for solar cell applications, as well as for semiconductor metal oxides.

Experimental Techniques

Moreover, I will take advantage of our experience in advanced experimental time-resolved techniques to study quantum coherent effects and solar cells under operando conditions.

Impact of the Project

Excited will have a key impact on several fields, from biology to chemistry and physics, and will bring paramount breakthroughs in the use of modified interfaces leading to the optimization of novel thin film solar cell technologies that take advantage of quantum coherence phenomena and orbital coupling effects.