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Crystallisable Organic Heterojunctions for Photons to Fuel

Objective

CRY-OH will establish new classes of organic photocatalysts for solar fuel production through the design of donor–acceptor (D–A) heterojunction nanostructures with precisely controlled molecular order and morphology. The project bridges synthetic polymer chemistry, supramolecular self-assembly, and photophysical characterisation to address a central limitation in organic photocatalysis: the lack of structural control over charge-generating interfaces.
Research objectives:
- RO1: Formation of crystalline nanostructure with controllable donor and acceptor domains.
- RO2: Understanding of how heterojunction nanostructure affects photophysical and optoelectronic properties.
- RO3: Optimisation of heterojunction nanostructure for photocatalysis.
Two synthetic pathways will be pursued to achieve RO1. Pathway A employs chain-growth polymerisation methods to prepare block copolymers containing length-tuneable D/A sections, enabling crystallisation-driven self-assembly of nanofibers with controllable domains. Pathway B develops a new templated aggregation approach to form π-stacked macrocycle stacks with variable D-A segments. Together, these provide a unique platform to probe the relationship between nanostructure, charge separation, and photocatalytic activity.
Advanced photophysical analysis, including time-resolved microwave conductivity, will be coupled with structural characterisation, such as high-resolution electron microscopy / electron energy loss spectroscopy, to correlate nanoscale organisation with carrier dynamics. Further comparison to photocatalytic activity for light-driven hydrogen production will enable structure-property-activity relationships to be determined. By uniting conjugated polymer chemistry, supramolecular materials design and operando photophysical analysis, CRY-OH will create the fundamental knowledge and synthetic tools required to design high-performance organic heterojunction photocatalysts for solar-driven fuel production.

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Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) ERC-2026-STG

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Host institution

LINKOPINGS UNIVERSITET
Net EU contribution
€ 1 884 982,00
Address
CAMPUS VALLA
581 83 Linkoping
Sweden
Region
Östra Sverige Östra Mellansverige Östergötlands län
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
€ 1 884 982,00

Beneficiaries (1)