Energy generation in organic solar cells through the lens of multiscale simulations

Lecture by Gabriele D'Avino, CNRS & Université Grenoble Alpes, France

  • Date: 07 DECEMBER 2021  from 17:30 to 19:00

  • Event location: Sala Rossa, Via Marsala, 26 Bologna - In presence and online event

  • Type: Lectures

Organic solar cells occupy a special place among emerging photovoltaic technologies, as they promise clean energy generation from inexpensive, earth-abundant, non-toxic materials. Other intrinsic advantages, such as being flexible and light-weighted, make these materials particularly interesting for portable and off-grid applications, as well as from an industrial design standpoint. Understanding the microscopic phenomena that are at heart of the efficient charge generation in organic solar cells stands as a formidable scientific challenge, as it requires a comprehensive picture accounting for phenomena covering different length and time scales, going from the molecular organization in devices to the fate of electronic excitations generated upon light absorption. My lecture will offer an overview of our research work on the modeling of organic solar cell materials, for which we propose an original trans-disciplinary theoretical approach, synergistically combining various computational techniques in a multiscale fashion.

Our work addresses fundamental questions regarding the efficient splitting of tightly-bound excitons into current and detrimental energy-loss mechanisms, shedding light on the key role of mesoscale electrostatic phenomena. The engineering of these electrostatic forces through a precise control over molecular properties and supramolecular organization, and the novel materials design concepts thereof, represent the next frontier of our research.

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The visit of Gabriele D'Avino is organized in collaboration with Luca Muccioli from the Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari".