Organic photovoltaics: The future of clean energy generation in organic molecules

• Grant number: 24/00515-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Journalism
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Branquinho de Queiroz
• Grantee: Matheus Gruppi Vital
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/13466-1 - Design, synthesis and characterization of molecular systems for light harvesting and charge separation, AP.JP

Abstract

The obtainment of clean and renewable energy through silicon solar cells is part of everyday society, being seen in homes and large-scale plants. However, the general public is unaware of the revolutions happening in the development of organic solar cells, capable of ``imitating'' some mechanisms of living systems and obtaining energy in low-light environments in lightweight and portable devices. Furthermore, there is a lot of science involved in these processes! According to what is predicted by the most intuitive models, the charge photoseparation in molecular systems of the donor-acceptor type should have low efficiency, which is not observed. Some systems have a photon-to-charge conversion rate of up to 100%. In the project to be popularized, JP FAPESP 2020/13466-1, the research group led by Prof. Thiago B. de Queiroz designs, synthesizes, and studies the phenomena of charge photoseparation in donor-acceptor type molecular systems. The studies are conducted using quantum mechanics methods for molecules and their interactions with radiation, organic synthesis, and various characterizations using experimental methods. In this project of scientific dissemination, we propose to present this universe of concepts and phenomena in an accessible way to the general public.