Exploration of Multi-Channel Excited State Deactivation Pathways in Innovative All-Organic Compounds for Optoelectronics and Energy & Materials Conversion
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
P5: Ultrafast phenomena at the nanoscale
PhD PROJECT DESCRIPTION
In the last few decades, all-organic p-conjugated chromophores were intensively investigated in materials science for applications in optoelectronics (e.g. organic solar cells, lasers, sensors, but in particular for LEDs), energy & materials conversion (in particular for photocatalysis), and life sciences. In the various applications, different figures of merits have to be optimized, which requires a detailed understanding of the underlying structure-property and -process relationships at an intra- and intermolecular level. Our group provides such holistic understanding, based on long-time expertise in materials science, optical spectroscopy, and computational modelling to elucidate the complex photophysics of multi-channel excited state deactivation processes of conjugated organic materials.
The current PhD project in this vibrant field of research will be dedicated to innovative materials with multi-channel excited state deactivation pathways. This will include both molecular emitters (ME) as well as solid state emitters (SSE), provided through long-standing collaborations with leading national and international materials science groups.
The work will be focused on state-of-the-art steady-state and time-resolved absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy of ME & SSE materials, inter alia at low temperature conditions, complemented by DFT-assisted photokinetic analysis, to achieve a holistic picture of the underlying photophysics.
APPLICANT’S REQUIREMENTS
MSc of chemistry, physics or material sciences, preferably with a good background in physical (organic) chemistry. Ideally, the MSc work (a/o additional qualification) has been carried out in the field of spectroscopy of conjugated organic materials
Good abilities in English communication
Motivation and creative, proactive, interdisciplinary & collaborative thinking
Interest in learning/understanding/advancing the underlying theory (photophysics of organic materials), optical spectroscopy, and the use of quantum chemical methods
RESEARCH GROUP DESCRIPTION
Our research is dedicated to the understanding of Photophysics of Organic and Hybrid Supramolecular Nanosystems for Optoelectronic Applications. The ultimate goal, i.e. unbiased, targeted design of tailor-made materials systems, however, can only be reached in an interdisciplinary manner, which we tackle in an integrative spectroscopic & computational approach, based on a strong background in chemistry & materials science. This truly interdisciplinary approach allows for a thorough and systematic insight into the electronic, optical and photophysical properties of complex conjugated organic materials.
The multidisciplinary character of our research asks for intense collaboration with synthesists, material scientists, quantum chemists, laser physicists, and device engineers, which we have established in the past years through (inter)national projects, and in particular through the collaborative and complementary ambience of research teams in which our group is embedded at IMDEA Nanociencia.
RESEARCH SUPERVISOR
Prof. Johannes Gierschner
johannes.gierschner@imdea.org
Research Group website:
https://nanociencia.imdea.org/home-en/people/item/johannes-gierschner