Abstract
Resonant Energy Transfer from Plasmonic Nanoparticles to Semiconductors: a Route to Improve Solar Photocatalytic Efficiency (ResET) Investigation of resonant energy transfer of energy from plasmonic materials to semiconductor materials as a route to sensitise these materials to light with energies both above and below their band gaps, in order to improve the solar photocatalytic efficiency of some materials such as Diamond and Cu2O towards valuable redox reactions. Develop and optimize hybrid plasmonic/semiconductor nanostructures (specifically diamond and Cu₂O-based systems) to enhance light absorption in the sub-bandgap region through resonant energy transfer. This includes controlling nanoparticle morphology, embedding depth, and tuning defect states in the semiconductor to achieve effective coupling with plasmonic resonances. Investigate the physical mechanisms of resonant energy transfer at ultrafast timescales using advanced optical and X-ray spectroscopic techniques (e.g., transient absorption spectroscopy, operando XAS), with the goal of understanding and quantifying the processes that enable multi-photon absorption and up-conversion phenomena in these hybrid systems. Demonstrate improved photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic performance of the optimized materials in two critical applications: nitrogen fixation using diamond-based electrodes and solar water splitting using Cu₂O-based electrodes. Emphasis will be placed on assessing efficiency, spectral response (visible and IR), and operational stability under realistic working conditions. Translate experimental results into device-relevant knowledge by identifying the key material parameters that drive performance, enabling future scale-up or adaptation to other wide-bandgap semiconductors. This includes developing design rules for defect engineering and nanoparticle integration to inform future material synthesis and applications.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Raffaello Mazzaro
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "Augusto Righi"
Coordinatore:
CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche(Italy)
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 69.417,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
30/11/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
