{"id":1817,"date":"2023-01-11T16:59:08","date_gmt":"2023-01-11T14:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/idealcofund-project.eu\/phd\/?page_id=1817"},"modified":"2024-05-16T13:31:49","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T11:31:49","slug":"few-atom-metal-nanoclusters-for-optoelectronics-and-energy-applications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/idealcofund-project.eu\/phd\/phd-projects\/few-atom-metal-nanoclusters-for-optoelectronics-and-energy-applications\/","title":{"rendered":"Few-atom metal nanoclusters for optoelectronics and energy applications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” custom_padding=”2px||12px|||” global_module=”509″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_padding=”4px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”60px” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][lwp_divi_breadcrumbs home_text=”Inicio” use_before_icon=”off” link_color=”#89B7CA” current_text_color=”#001733″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/lwp_divi_breadcrumbs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||6px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Few-atom metal nanoclusters for optoelectronics and energy applications<\/strong><\/h1>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||29px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]

RESEARCH PROGRAMME<\/strong><\/h2>\n

P5: Ultrafast phenomena at the nanoscale<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]

PhD PROJECT DESCRIPTION<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Metal nanoclusters (MNCs) composed of few metal atoms with sizes below 2 nm are fascinating structures with outstanding optical properties. Unlike plasmonic nanoparticles (of > 2 nm size), MNCs exhibit a molecular-like electronic structure with discrete levels arising from strong quantum confinement which are optically-coupled. Thus, MNCs offer assets in a range of applications spanning from light emission in solid state devices, solar energy harvesting, photocatalysis or bio imaging, which are yet to be explored. MNCs based on noble metals like gold are, in addition, biocompatible, paving the way for potential health-related applications including in vivo imaging of tissue or photodynamic therapies. Furthermore, the MNC synthesis is relatively simple and can rely on relatively abundant elements (like Cu for instance), becoming highly sustainable luminescent materials with photoluminescence quantum yields up to 40-60%. In this project, we will investigate the photophysics of MNCs to pave the way for their application to optoelectronic devices such as light emitting devices or to energy harvesting (solar cells or photocatalysis). \u00a0<\/p>\n

The work at IMDEA will concern primarily with femtosecond spectroscopy for the study of ultrafast electronic relaxation processes localized within MNCs or between MNCs and capping ligands designed specifically to promote the MNC optical properties or to trigger energy or charge transfer processes. In a second stage, the development of nanostructured surfaces coated with MNCs will be pursued, in order to build photonic cavities. This activity will be oriented towards increasing light absorption for sunlight energy harvesting or alternatively obtaining laser resonators, when highly luminescent MNCs are processed. The development of suitable surface textures will take place in collaboration with specialized expertise available at IMDEA. The project will also offer opportunities to the candidate to carry out research stages at different institutions. The hosting group had access in the past years to singular infrastructures like the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI-BEAMS) at Prague or the ESRF synchrotron facility at Grenoble. External collaborations as well as student exchange with other institutions are common in the hosting group.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/idealcofund-project.eu\/phd\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cabanillas_image1.jpg” title_text=”Cabanillas_image1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|380px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]

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Figure 1. A picture of a femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectrometer available at IMDEA (left) and a characteristic TA contour plot (right).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||6px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||29px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]

APPLICANT’S REQUIREMENTS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Highly motivated candidates with a Physics, Chemistry or related Engineering background are encouraged to apply. Previous experience in the following aspects are desirable but not mandatory<\/p>\n