PhD in Molecular Chemistry (M/F): Synthesis and Study of Near Infrared Organic Dyes for the Elaboration of Transparent and Colorless Solar Cells

23 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Chimie Et Interdisciplinarité : Synthèse, Analyse, Modélisation

Research Field

Chemistry
Environmental science

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

12 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The CEISAM lab federates research activities in the field of molecular chemistry in Nantes. Within the unit, the IMF team (Functional Materials Engineering) has all the equipment required for designing and characterizing molecules, as well as integrating them into solar devices. Nantes is a dynamic city with a cultural and gastronomic focus, and is a forerunner in terms of ecological transition, offering a quality of life that is unique in France.

In view of the inevitable climate change, the production of energy from sustainable and renewable resources is a major challenge of the coming decades. A significant amount of energy is received by the planet via solar radiation, which constitutes an almost infinite natural resource. This radiation can be converted into electricity using photovoltaic devices. Currently, the majority of devices based on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) or organic photovoltaics mainly capture light in the visible range, while a non-negligible proportion of radiation is found in the near-infrared (NIR). This program is part of the breakthrough field of colorless, transparent photovoltaic cells. Efficient photovoltaic technology in the NIR would enable the development of colorless, transparent solar panels that could be integrated into the glazing of buildings, vehicles, greenhouses and autonomous portable devices [1]. For this application, DSSCs are among the most promising devices, as they are simple to implement while offering competitive electricity production over the long term [2]. In this context, the aim is to develop NIR-selective photosensitizers, which is precisely the subject of the present PhD offer.

The TRANSCEND project, funded by the Pays de la Loire region, Nantes Metropole and the CNRS, capitalizes our group's expertises and recent results in the fields of NIR dyes and colorless DSSCs [3]. More concretely, it aims to design organic dyes belonging to the polymethine family that absorb intensely and specifically in the NIR region [4], for the development of transparent solar cells. The research is interdisciplinary and particularly challenging: the PhD candidate will develop the synthesis and purification of innovative NIR organic dyes, unravel their photophysical and electrochemical properties, and integrate them in a new generation of transparent solar cells developped at CEISAM.

The candidate should hold a Master's degree or engineer diploma in Chemistry, and ideally have a strong background in organic synthesis, as well as in spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization techniques. Previous experiences in the fields of chromophores or organic electronics would be highly appreciated, but are not mandatory.

References:
[1] C. J. Traverse, R. Pandey, M. C. Barr, R. R. Lunt, Nat. Energy, 2017, 2, 849.
[2] (a) W. Naim, V. Novelli, I. Nikolinakos, N. Barbero, I. Dzeba, F. Grifoni, Y. Ren, T. Alnasser, A. Velardo, R. Borrelli, S. Haacke, S. M. Zakeeruddin, M. Graetzel, C. Barolo, F. Sauvage, JACS Au, 2021, 1, 409; (b) F. Grifoni, M. Bonomo, W. Naim, N. Barbero, T. Alnasser, I. Dzeba, M. Giordano, A. Tsaturyan, M. Urbani, T. Torres, C. Barolo, F. Sauvage, Adv. Energy Mater., 2021, 11, 2101598.
[3] T. Baron, W. Naim, I. Nikolinakos, B. Andrin, Y. Pellegrin, D. Jacquemin, S. Haacke, F. Sauvage and F. Odobel, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2022, 61, e202207459.
[4] See recent examples of NIR-absorbing polymethine dyes: (a) C. Elian, B. Mourot, C. Benbouziyane, J.-P. Malval, S. Lajnef, F. Peyrot, F. Massuyeau, O. Siri, D. Jacquemin, S. Pascal, D.-L. Versace, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2023, 62, e2023059; (b) B. Mourot, V. Mazan, M. Elhabiri, R. Sarkar, D. Jacquemin, O. Siri, S. Pascal, Chem. Sci., 2024, 15, 1248.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Environmental science

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Chemistry

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Environmental science

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR6230-SIMPAS-001/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Chimie Et Interdisciplinarité : Synthèse, Analyse, Modélisation

Country

France

City

NANTES

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR6230-SIMPAS-001/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

NANTES

Website

https://ceisam.univ-nantes.fr/

STATUS: EXPIRED