Nanostructured films and nanofibers of organic semiconductors for application in photovoltaic devices

• Grant number: 22/16811-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Clarissa de Almeida Olivati
• Grantee: Maria Eduarda Rocha Santos Medina
• Supervisor: Roger Clive Hiorns
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/14894-0 - Nanostructured films and nanofibers of organic semiconductors for application in photovoltaic devices, BP.MS

Abstract

This project proposes the synthesis and characterisation of a radically new type of block copolymer based on alternating repeating units of a non-fullerene electron acceptor, Y6, and a twisted linker monomer. It is expected that this facile route will lead to the preparation of a new type of block copolymer that can be used as an additive to simultaneously improve both the stability and the efficiency of organic solar cells. Prior work using fullerene-based block copolymers has shown that efficiencies of devices can be improved by adding just 0.4 wt% of a block copolymer to the active-layer in an organic solar cell. Notably there has been shown a 20% in efficiency and an all-important increase in air-stability, extending T80 at least 10-fold.In this work Maria Eduarda Rocha Santos Medina will go to France to learn the extremely high precision and world-leading advanced synthetic techniques routinely used in the laboratories of Dr Hiorns to make block copolymers. She will learn directly from Hiorns the chemistry to use, and gain experience in how to make these extremely novel and cutting-edge materials using high-purity Schlenk-line technology. Mrs Rocha Santos Medina will be integrated into the CNRS team in France, and have access and training for a wide number of characterisations apparatuses, all supported by CNRS staff, such as NMR, GPC, UV, TGA, DSC etc... She will return to Brazil with these new materials, well characterised, ready for use in organic solar cells to be prepared in UNESP Presidente Prudente.During the project, we will also seek additional funds so that Mrs Rocha Santos Medina can spend one month in Denmark to learn the very highest world-class techniques in organic solar cell preparation, allowing her to have an all-round training experience, and ensure that these new novel materials are exploited to the highest level. (AU)