Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IMPEL (Isoreticular Metal Phosphonates for Energy and Light)
Período documentado: 2020-10-08 hasta 2022-10-07
The amount of solar energy received onto the earth in a single hour is estimated to be more than the entire annual world energy usage. However, the implementation and efficiency of commercially available solar cells need to use this renewable energy source adequately. It is estimated that 10% of energy usage is in the average home and 20-40% in commercial premises. Furthermore, it is predicted that the world will need 30 terawatts (TW) of energy by 2050, which must come from renewables. The EU Renewable Energy Directive, in conjunction with the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive, has set targets to increase energy efficiency by over 32.5% by 2030. New materials for solar energy conversion (photovoltaics) and low-energy lighting are needed to answer these challenges. The three key challenges in developing new photovoltaics for converting solar energy to electricity are high efficiency, low cost and long life. In this context, this project aimed to synthesise and study new multifunctional materials to act as hosts for semiconductor quantum dots and nanoparticles and to use them in manufacturing and studying solar cells and LEDs.
In that sense, IMPEL studied the possibilities of the Isoreticular expansion of triazine- and benzene-based aryl-phosphonates and presented two (2) new families of Lanthanide-based phosphonate Metal-Organic Frameworks. Both of the series of materials presented high structural and thermal stability. According to the data collected, the Ln_TPPB materials exhibit a high porosity with a surprising Nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O) adsorption. Since the pandemic severely affected the project's first year, the beneficiaries collected preliminary data on Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) encapsulation into known Metal-Phosphonates. We anticipate continuing the last part of this project as soon as the Fellow gets his next position in an appropriate institution.
This project also provided a vehicle for two-way knowledge exchange between the host and Fellow. It is a successful multidisciplinary project spanning chemistry and physics and generated data and outcomes that interest materials scientists, physicists, and the broader scientific community. The extended scientific visits of the Fellow to the University of Crete (Professor Konstantinos Demadis Research Group) and the Christian Albrechts University of Kiel (Professor Norbert Stock Research Group) allowed him to work with the experts in the Field of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). The IMPEL project also helped him establish himself as an independent researcher in his home country, Greece, and in the wider international scientific community.
In that sense, IMPEL studied the possibilities of the Isoreticular expansion of triazine- and benzene-based aryl-phosphonates and presented two (2) new families of Lanthanide-based phosphonate Metal-Organic Frameworks. Both of the series of materials presented high structural and thermal stability. According to the data collected, the Ln_TPPB materials exhibit a high porosity with a surprising Nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O) adsorption. Since the pandemic severely affected the project's first year, the beneficiaries collected preliminary data on Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) encapsulation into known Metal-Phosphonates. We anticipate continuing the last part of this project as soon as the Fellow gets his next position in an appropriate institution.
This project also provided a vehicle for two-way knowledge exchange between the host and Fellow. It is a successful multidisciplinary project spanning chemistry and physics and generated data and outcomes that interest materials scientists, physicists, and the broader scientific community. The extended scientific visits of the Fellow to the University of Crete (Professor Konstantinos Demadis Research Group) and the Christian Albrechts University of Kiel (Professor Norbert Stock Research Group) allowed him to work with the experts in the Field of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). The IMPEL project also helped him establish himself as an independent researcher in his home country, Greece, and in the wider international scientific community.
During the pandemic access to the main infrastructure of the University of Wolverhampton was restricted. As a result, the Fellow focused on e-teaching three different modules within the Wolverhampton School of Sciences. Integrated Chemistry, Advanced Analytical Chemistry and MSc Research Methods and Research Preparation were taught to both undergrads and postgraduates in the first year. Since the moment the measures were slowly eased the Fellow performed preliminary studies on the synthesis and characterisation of Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs). An environmentally friendly process has been used for that purpose by using fresh (pulp-free) orange juice and small amounts of organic solvents (Ethanol, Acetone). Afterwards, the possible synthesis of know Metal-Phosphonates in the presence of CQDs was studied. Metal Phosphonates that combined Methyl Phosphonic Acid(MPA) / Phenyl Phosphonic Acid(PPA) and Zinc, Manganese and Terbium synthesised in solutions contained CQDs. The materials characterized with laser-UV (256nm) and the presence of CQDs confirmed with and/or around their structures. During the second half of the two-year fellowship, the fellow decided to visit the Department of Chemistry at the University of Crete and the Department of Chemistry at the Christian Albrecht University of Kiel to perform the synthesis of novel isoreticular phosphonic acids. Both triazine- and benzene-based tritopic ligands were synthesised. 2,4,6-tri-(phenylene-4-phosphonic acid)-s-triazine (TPPT) and 1,3,5-tri-(phenylene-4phosphonic acid)-benzene combined with various Lanthanide (Ln+3) metal cations to isolate novel Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). Indeed two novel series of materials were synthesised and characterised both structurally and optically with UV-solid state techniques. The Ln-TPPB was found to be porous with an internal surface area of ~ 600 m2/g. Moreover, the material was stable up to 300 oC and exhibits the ability to absorb Nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O, 25%). The beneficiaries anticipate publishing their data on the structural and optical properties of the novel materials in two high-impact journals in the next months. In addition, they are planning to continue the studies on CQDs encapsulation into these novel porous MOFs.
The isoreticular methodology has not yet been applied to the synthesis of new Metal Phosphonates. The Encapsulation of nanoparticles also creates isolated particles which means that there are no conduction pathways when a voltage is applied. This, therefore, implies that while these materials can be used in PV cells, they cannot be employed in electrically activated LEDs, but only as coatings on LEDs with UV/blue emitting cores which stimulate light emission by photo adsorption/emission processes; as such there is an additional cost element to the production of LEDs. Additionally, halide perovskites contain lead which is toxic and represents a significant environmental risk which must be mitigated or reduced as far as possible.
This project explored the limitations in the synthesis of phosphonic acids developing a series of phosphonic acids (linkers) which in turn provided the starting materials to create isoreticular series of porous MPs. The stability afforded by these materials will significantly extend the lifetime of the included nanoparticles. Furthermore, we created MOFs that potentially can work as conductors, with high decomposition voltages, which will allow the production of electrically excited LEDs. The study on the embedding of quantum dots, an "eco-friendly nanodevice", into known Metal-Phosphonates will help us to produce materials with high PV and emission efficiency. This will naturally reduce the amount of lead used in their production.
This project explored the limitations in the synthesis of phosphonic acids developing a series of phosphonic acids (linkers) which in turn provided the starting materials to create isoreticular series of porous MPs. The stability afforded by these materials will significantly extend the lifetime of the included nanoparticles. Furthermore, we created MOFs that potentially can work as conductors, with high decomposition voltages, which will allow the production of electrically excited LEDs. The study on the embedding of quantum dots, an "eco-friendly nanodevice", into known Metal-Phosphonates will help us to produce materials with high PV and emission efficiency. This will naturally reduce the amount of lead used in their production.