Details
- ERC sector
- PE5 - Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
- ERC subsector
- PE5_16 - Supramolecular chemistry
- Project start date
- CUP
- D53D23016910001
- Financial support received
- €60.000,00
Description and purpose
While solar photovoltaics are playing an increasing role in the global energy market, the cost and benefits of recycling crystalline silicon are still subjects of debate. New approaches capable of harvesting solar energy could give fresh impetus towards sustainable energy technologies. MEROSUN will create alternative designs to conventional solar cells. It comprises the development of new aqueous-based photoelectrochemical cells which work by exploiting proton gradients out-of-equilibrium.
Purpose
Cells will be made of spiropyran/merocyanine photoacidic nanosystems, i.e. light-responsive systems that can be programmed to generate proton gradients following the absorption of sunlight. Compared to existing technologies, the solar cells envisioned herein are made of cheap and recyclable components, that can be easily connected in series and/or in parallel to realize modules that are scalable.
Expected results
MEROSUN takes the challenge of evolving such photo-responsive chemical systems into clean and affordable light harvesting technology. We will carry out structure-function relationship studies to identify merocyanine photoacids featuring enhanced water solubility and chemical stability. Another objective is to design and synthesize selective supramolecular hosts that will increase their (photo)stability and amplify the pH difference attainable following the absorption of sunlight.
Achieved results
We synthesized a small family of new spiropyran molecules that showed promising photoacidity and stability under hydrolytic conditions. Parallely, five new calix[6]arene-based macrocycles have been synthesized and characterized by common analytical techniques. The synthesis has been guided by DFT analysis. The complexation studies of such systems will be executed in the upcoming months
Scientific director
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