98676 - PHOTOACTIVE MATERIALS FOR ENERGY CONVERSION

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has acquired knowledge and skills necessary to design, characterize, and critically analyze photoactive materials for various energy conversion applications, including lighting (LEDs and OLEDs), solar energy conversion and storage, and photocatalysis.

Course contents

Brief account on supramolecular photochemistry and analysis of some complex systems (quantum dots, metal nanoparticles, organic nanostructures, organic frameworks, organic semiconductors, heterostructures, hybrid materials): from design to application.

Introduction of the principal photophysical methods with nanometrical resolution and their applications: Fluorescence Microscopy; Multiphoton Excitation and Microscopy; Fluorescence sensing; Fluorescence-Lifetime Imaging Microscopy; Single-Molecule detection; Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy; Super-resolution microscopy.

Overview, from history to state of the art, on the applications of photochemistry in energy conversion:

• Light emitting diodes (LED, OLED, WOLED, ...)
  
• Solar energy conversion (water splitting, CO2 reduction, solar fuels, photodegradation)
• Applications of UV-Vis and solar light in organic synthesis

Technical and experimental consideration (sources, setup, photoreactors, flow)

Discussion on future advances.

Readings/Bibliography

- V. Balzani, A. Credi, M. Venturi: Molecular Devices and Machines. Concepts and Perspectives for the Nanoworld, 2° edizione, Wiley-VCH, 2008

- J. Zhong Zhang: Optical Properties and Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials, World Scientific, 2009

- J. R. Lakowicz, Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Springer, New York, 2006

- V. Balzani, P. Ceroni, A. Juris, Photochemistry and Photophysics: Concepts, Research, Applications, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2014.

Teaching methods

Class lessons and seminars

Assessment methods

The learning assessment consists of a final oral examination designed to ascertain the acquisition of the learning outcomes. The interview includes questions aimed at verifying the student’s grasp of the broader topics dealt with during the course. Students have the opportunity to present and discuss a scientific paper related to the course themes. The article may be independently selected by the student or, upon request, assigned by the professor.

The final assessment will be determined by the following criteria: clarity of presentation, accuracy of scientific language, conciseness, and the thoroughness of the information provided.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Dashboard, PC, Power Point slides, scientific papers

Office hours

See the website of Giacomo Bergamini