New Tectons for Charge Transfer and Photovoltaics - Single Wall Carbon Nanohorns

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Dirk M. Guldi
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: from 2007 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 53653929

The scope of the current proposal is to explore single wall carbon nanohorns (SWNH) as novel nanoscale electron acceptor materials in charge separation and charge transport processes in condensed media and at electrode interfaces. We propose several interlocking approaches involving material synthesis, advanced measurements and characterization methods as well as computational simulations.We see several fundamental advantages relative to the use of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and other forms of nanocarbons. In particular, SWNH are exclusively semiconducting, are produced in the absence of any catalyst and exhibit high surface areas and porosity. The successful development of organic / organic and inorganic / organic electron donor acceptor nanohybrids using SWNH as acceptor materials is expected to lead to new paradigms in materials design and ultimately to enhanced performance of photovoltaic cells that are light-weight and flexible and thus easily integrated.Our efforts on nanomaterial modification and production – through a modular approach – allows for facile optimization of the desired material, that is, to optimize absorption of the solar spectrum in conjunction with charge injection into SWNH by selection of semiconducting nanocrystal material and surface modification. In this context, we will refine their electronic coupling to SWNH, improve capture efficiency, minimize junction barriers and optimize carrier separation.Based on our initial findings and others efforts in the field, optimization of the electron donor-acceptor interactions by judicious choice of nanomaterials and coupling chemistries should produce functioning charge transfer materials.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants