Construction of Helical Polymeric Co-sensatization Materials for Photovoltaics based on Inverse-Design

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Michael Springborg
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials ; Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: from 2017 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 322830686

The primary goal of this bilateral collaborative project is to develop an understanding for helical polymeric co-sensatization materials for photovoltaics and to optimize the materials properties for this application. Thereby, the complementary competences of the two collaborating groups, i.e., the Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Saarland in Germany and the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University in China, will be of fundamental importance for the success of the project. Specifically, the special role of the helical backbone shall be explored by considering systems for which the diversity is so limited that detailed studies can be carried through. Moreover, through an initial combined experimental and theoretical study on simpler systems, those properties that are most important for the solar-energy harvesting shall be identified and quantified. Subsequently, using an inverse-design approach, isolated dyes based on BODIPY with optimal performances in solar-energy harvesting shall be identified theoretically. Finally, the properties of these optimal candidate structures when attached to the helical backbone, also together with porphyrin-based molecules, shall be explored experimentally and theoretically.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: China
• Partner Organisation: National Natural Science Foundation of China
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Yaqing Feng