TPA / TCBD derivatives potential candidates for photovoltaic applications
4-8-2020
Despite the fact that push-pull molecules based on Triphenylamine (TPA)/Tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD) strongly absorb in the visible spectrum, they do not show detectable photoluminescence in solution which is in agreement with the short excited state depopulation time of ~ 10 ps. The latter significantly increases in the solid state making TPA / TCBD derivatives potential candidates for photovoltaic applications.
This was published by Benedito Raul et al. as part of the SEPOMO network, a Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN Programme.
Triphenylamine/Tetracyanobutadiene-based π-Conjugated Push-Pull Molecules End-capped with Arene Platforms: Synthesis, Photophysics, and Photovoltaic Response
Published in : Chem. Eur. J. 10.1002/chem.202002810
PhD defence Björn Kriete
May 8, 2020
On May 8, 2020, Björn Kriete succesfully defended his PhD thesis, entitled "Exciton Dynamics in Self-Assembled Molecular Nanotubes".
The degree was awarded with the distinction : Cum Laude.
Microfluidic out-of-equilibrium control of molecular nanotubes
22-4-2020
We employed a lab-on-a-chip approach as a means to obtain in situ control of the structural complexity of an artificial light-harvesting complex: molecular double-walled nanotubes.
Rapid and stable dissolution of the outer wall was realized via microfluidic mixing thereby rendering the thermodynamically unstable inner tubes accessible to spectroscopy. By measurement of the linear dichroism and time-resolved photoluminescence of both double-walled nanotubes and isolated inner tubes we show that the optical (excitonic) properties of the inner tube are remarkably robust to such drastic perturbation of the system’s supramolecular structure as removal of the outer wall.
This work was published in the journal Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
It can be downloaded here.
Hot electrons harvested without tricks
18-11-2019
Semiconductors convert energy from photons (light) into an electron current. However, some photons carry too much energy for the material to absorb. These photons produce "hot electrons," and the excess energy of these electrons is converted into heat. Materials scientists have been looking for ways to harvest this excess energy. Scientists from the University of Groningen and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) have now shown that this may be easier than expected by combining a perovskite with an acceptor material for hot electrons. Their proof of principle was published in Science Advances on 15 November.
Press release from University Groningen, the Netherlands
Press release from Nanyang Technology University, Singapore
Teacher of the year
13-2-2019
Prof. Maxim Pchenitchnikov was elected "Teacher of the Year 2018" for the bachelor and master program Physics and Applied Physics