Objective
The project aims at studying elementary electron transfer processes in oligometallic coordination compounds in order to understand their light-harvesting properties for possible use in photovoltaic solar cells. The first series of such compounds has recently been synthesised (Glaser, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 117 (1995) 7550): the compounds are soluble in water and contain a metal-metal bond unsupported by ligands. The bond dissociates when exposed to light. In this reaction, two electrons are transferred between the participating metal ions.
The approach is multidisciplinary: the teams were selected so that the network gathers a necessary expertise ranging from preparative inorganic coordination chemistry for synthesis of the compounds, electrochemistry for studies of their redox potentials, pico- and femtosecond spectroscopy for investigation of very fast processes, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy for studies of slower ligand and electron exchange reactions, to the expertise in Marcus-Hush theory which will facilitate the understanding of the electron transfer steps. This multidisciplinary approach, jointly performed by the four teams, will be of mutual benefit to all participants and promote the cooperation between the Western European scientists and the scientists from the former Soviet Union. The primary objective of the project is to reach a new level of understanding of electron transfer processes, and to optimise the light conversion process using new oligometallic coordination compounds.
The latter goal will be achieved by tuning the coordinated ligands, solvent and the metal ions. If successful, the project will lead to a major step forward, dramatically increasing the total light conversion efficiency of the wet solar cell, and hence make it possible for application in various industrial products.
Topic(s)
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100 44 Stockholm
Sweden