Characterization of organically capped Si and group 14 alloy nanoparticle heterojunctions

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Klaus Meerholz
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: from 2010 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 181945350

Applications such as solar energy conversion are faced with fundamental challenges in device architecture that limits efficiencies. Recently, inorganic/organic hybrids have entered the focus of research in this field. This proposal combines the PI’s expertise in nanomaterials synthesis, their structural characterization, and physical characterization of electron transport in thin films: Susan Kauzlarich (UC Davis-Chemistry): chemical synthesis and characterization; Klaus Meerholz (UCologne, Physical Chemistry): optoelectronic characterization of hybrid materials. This International Collaboration in Chemistry (ICC) proposal aims to synthesize Si and Si1-xGex alloy NPs with hole conducting organic molecules to study charge transport/transfer between inorganic semiconductors typically exhibiting a band-like electronic structure and organic semiconductors featuring localized electronic states.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Participating Person: Professorin Dr. Susan M. Kauzlarich