SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A LIBRARY OF POLY(FULLERENE)S FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS

• Grant number: 23/12686-6
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Graeff
• Grantee: Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Graeff
• Visiting researcher: Roger Clive Hiorns
• Visiting researcher institution: Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l’Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), France
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/12356-8 - Stability optimization of perovskite solar cells, AP.TEM

Abstract

Until recently, poly(fullerene)s (PFs) have been considered a purely academic subject with little relevance to applications. In the last year, publications in very high impact journals have demonstrated that these materials, which carry fullerene in the main-chain, can be used to great effect to both stabilize and improve efficiencies of perovskite solar cells and organic solar cells. These results were obtained using non-optimized PFs not designed for use in perovskites. That said, the optimization proposed in this work will create a bigger impact. Is it important to note that the PFs will be prepared using routes developed by Roger Hiorns, who has discovered at least four of the six known routes to these novel materials.Within the framework of the Projeto Temático FAPESP 'Otimização da Estabilidade de Células Solares de Perovskitas' (Grant number 20/12356-8) FAPESP 20/12356-8, the Visiting Prof. Roger Hiorns will work closely with Prof. Graeff and Prof. da Silva Filho, as well as researchers and students at UNESP-Bauru to develop new PFs especially tailored to improving the stabilities and efficiencies of perovskite solar cells. We will make a new library of PFs with solubilities, hydrophilicities and film forming capabilities appropriate to use in perovskite solar cells. We will develop an exceptional PF with self-toughening capabilities to optimize and strengthen perovskite cells. Given the exceptional electrophilicity of fullerene, and its known capabilities in organic solar cells and biological applications, to ensure that we develop its exploitation to the maximum and while helping to strengthen collaborations across the São Paulo state, we will also provide these new materials for study in organic solar cells, sensors and antimicrobial applications. Accompanying this work, Hiorns will also give seminars and lectures to help extend understanding in fullerene and materials science, and to help internationalize the POSMAT program. (AU)