Objective Silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) have gained much attention in the last few years because of their remarkable optical and electronic properties, compared to bulk silicon. These unique properties are due to quantum confinement effects and are thus strongly dependent on the nanocrystal size, shape, surface functionalization and presence of defects.The aim of the present project is the coupling of SiNCs with photo- and electroactive molecules or multicomponent systems, like dendrons, to build up a new class of hybrid materials to be employed in the field of light-to-electrical energy conversion (solar cells).SiNCs possess several advantages with respect to more commonly employed, quantum dots, which usually contain toxic and rare metals like lead, cadmium, indium, selenium: a) silicon is abundant, easily available and essentially non toxic; b) silicon can form covalent bonds with carbon, thereby offering the possibility of integrating inorganic and organic components in a robust structure; c) absorption and emission can be tuned across the entire visible spectrum from a single material, upon changing the nanocrystal dimension.This project will address the understanding of the fundamental photophysical and electrochemical properties of SiNCs, and their electronic interactions with the functional coating units. Taking advantage of the acquired knowledge, the project will then be devoted to the implementation of these hybrid materials as light-harvesting and charge transport components in photoelectrochemical cells. PhotoSi is expected to lead to solar cells with high efficiency (superior electronic properties of the hybrid material), low cost (the amount of the nanostructured material is significantly reduced compared to conventional Si cells), and low environmental impact (Si is essentially non toxic, and new less-energy demanding synthetic methodologies will be explored). Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energyengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materialsnanocrystalsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and filmsnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloidsengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsenergy conversion Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-PE5 - ERC Starting Grant - Materials and Synthesis Call for proposal ERC-2011-StG_20101014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Coordinator ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA Address Via zamboni 33 40126 Bologna Italy See on map Region Nord-Est Emilia-Romagna Bologna Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Paola Ceroni (Prof.) Administrative Contact Pier Paolo Palmieri (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA Italy EU contribution € 1 182 606,00 Address Via zamboni 33 40126 Bologna See on map Region Nord-Est Emilia-Romagna Bologna Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Paola Ceroni (Prof.) Administrative Contact Pier Paolo Palmieri (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
