Project R-14306

Organic semiconductor heterojunction nanoparticles for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (Research)

It is widely recognized that hydrogen will play a key role in the future renewable energy mix, allowing transport and storage for on-demand energy supply. Sustainable hydrogen generation can be achieved by photocatalytic water-splitting devices. Organic/polymer semiconductors are very attractive photocatalysts for this purpose as they can be synthetically tuned to absorb a maximum amount of solar light while simultaneously retaining suitable energy levels to drive hydrogen evolution. However, they only recently gained notable attention, and a better understanding of the structural parameters and photophysics that determine the function of organic semiconductor heterojunction nanoparticles is required to optimize their performance. In this Ph.D. project, this challenge is addressed by an integrated approach, strongly leaning on the expertise available at the home institute, combining tailored organic/polymer semiconductor synthesis, preparation and characterization of optimal nanoparticle formulations, detailed photophysical evaluation of the charge generation and separation processes, and standard hydrogen evolution measurements. The overall objective is to establish robust structure-property relationships – using different feedback loops – to maximize the solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency, thereby providing a leverage for future commercialization and contributing to the leading position of Flanders as a hot spot for hydrogen technology in Europe.

01 October 2023 - 30 September 2027