NIRLAMS · NIR Light Harvesting in Artificial Protein-Lipid-Chromophores Coassembled Molecular System
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2020-01-01 → 2021-12-31
- EU contribution
- €203,852
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
NIR Light Harvesting in Artificial Protein-Lipid-Chromophores Coassembled Molecular System
o What is the problem/issue being addressed? This project had an aim of addressing the key issues of solid-state triplet-triplet annihilation based molecular photon upconversion like 1) aggregation of chromophores in the solid-state 2) oxygen quenching of the triplet state and 3) low upconversion quantum yield. Additionally, NIR/ red to Vis photon upconversion is more useful for fabricating solid-state TTA-UC systems with high-energy bandgap solar cells to utilize the full potential of solar photons. However low solubility of NIR to Vis dyes in synthetic polymers and quenching by molecular oxygen is a major issue. Therefore, through the project, we have addressed these issues by developing new photon upconversion bioplastics showing wideband (530–730 nm to blue) photon upconversion. Finally, we also developed a new recycling route for post-utility extraction of the chromophores from the bioplastics to avoid their leaching into the environment. Hence, overall we have been successful in developing new bio sustainable solid-state TTA-UC materials with high upconversion quantum yields in air. o Why is it important for society? Through a successful demonstration of functional fabrication and recycling of photon upconversion plastics developed in this project, we have given a new direction to design recyclable optical bioplastics materials in energy harvesting applications to strengthen the concept of circular bio economy and will boost the European bioplastic industry. It is important for society from both an economic and sustainability point of view. This is because the new photonic bioplastics that will be developed by this approach will be recyclable hence will prevent plastic waste and environmental degradation. o What are the overall objectives? The key objective of this project was to make highly efficient NIR/Red to Vis, aqueous and solid-state photon upconverting molecular systems operating via triplet-triplet annihilation based photon upconversion (TTA-UC) in the oxygenated environment using an innovative approach of protein-lipid-chromophores coassembly. This objective was achieved by employing three main tracks (WP1-WP3). Specific objectives and progress made towards their achievements are summarized below. Specific Objectives: 1. Synthesis of metal porphycenes as new NIR sensitizers (WP1) 2. Synthesis of new Ionic acceptors/annihilators (WP1) 3. Formulation of protein-lipid-chromophores co-assembly for efficient triplet-triplet annihilation in solid-state in air (WP1-WP3)
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The depleting fossils fuels added by their high carbon emission have been constantly putting pressure on scientific community to find an economic solution in the form of green energy. The utilization of everlasting solar energy is possible solution which has been researched for a long now but has constraints of Shockley Queisser Limit. The recent emergence of photon upconversion has given hope to overcome this limit by upconverting the transmitted sub band gap photons to band gap responsive light. Among the existing UC phenomenon triplet-triplet annihilation based photon upconversion (TTA-UC) leading the way because of its function at sub solar irradiance and 1.5 solar spectrum. Most of the TTA-UC systems are limited to Vis to Vis UC which though have contributed immensely for conceptual development of the filed; however for practical applications in photonic devices NIR to Vis TTA-UC would be more ideal. This is because; (1) NIR is low energy non-invasive light which is useful for biological applications and (2) can overcome the Shockley Queisser Limit of solar cells. On the other hand NIR to Vis TTA-UC systems are although reported they are mostly limited to deoxygenated organic solvents which have limitation of device fabrication. This is due to low solubility of NIR to Vis dyes in synthetic polymers and quenching by molecular oxygen. Therefore, the present proposal is aimed at overcoming these issues by introducing an innovative approach of protein-lipid-chromophores co-assembly both for aqueous and solid state NIR to Vis TTA-UC in oxygenated environment. The proposed approach is supported by the fact that nonpolar domains of protein-lipid coassembly can solubilize the hydrophobic NIR to Vis dyes and thick H-bonding network of protein can prevent oxygen inflow into chromophore region. The proposed project would lead to a new conceptual development for efficient solar upconversion and will broaden the solar light harvesting range for solar energy conversion system
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB · GoteborgCoordinatorSweden
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union