The proposed research project will addressways to overcome limiting impediments for solar energy capture and utilization � the ability tocontrol the assembly of semiconductors into ordered nanoscale segregated structures forefficient photon absorption and charge extraction. The proposed studies will exploit the simpleconcept of sphere packing to realize structures required for efficient, low-cost organicphotovoltaic devices. The objectives of the proposed project are (a) develop methods for thesynthesis of nanoparticles with ?-conjugated organic molecules and polymers, (b) developmethods for the synthesis of nanoparticles with inorganic oxide-based semiconductors (c)develop methods for the assembly of binary semiconductor nanoparticles into orderedstructures for optimal charge separation and transport, (d) elucidate the packing of thenanoparticles as a function of the relative radii of the particles, (e) evaluate the structuralstability of the nanoparticle assemblies and (f) evaluate the device performance. The packing ofspheres to organize semiconductors has several advantages over existing methods. Theyinclude (a) ability to obtain kineticalyy-trapped bicontinuous nanoscale morpologies in a singlestep, through reliable self-assembly, (b) ability to systematically alter the packing of thesemiconductor through changes in the radii of the nanoparticles or interparticle interactions orboth, and (c) ability to systematically elucidate the optimal structure for an efficient photovoltaic(PV) device.The talk will focus on supramolecular approaches to overcome limiting impediments for solar energy capture and utilization � the ability to control the assembly of semiconductors into ordered nanoscale segregated structures for efficient photon absorption and charge extraction. Our approaches will exploit our knowledge of bulk heterojunction formation. Specifically, the talk will on the use of diblock co-polymers and the use of spherical semiconductors usingthe concept of sphere packing to realize structures required for efficient, low-cost organic photovoltaic devices.

Self-assembling nanoscale semiconductors for solar energy capture

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.