“Establishing the function of organic semiconductors as promising materials for solar-to-fuel energy conversion.”
Direct conversion of solar energy into solar fuels as a form of chemical energy at molecular level by photoelectrodes is a promising approach to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and enable long-term energy storage, given the stability and transportability of chemical fuels. Of the possible approaches, using semiconductor materials to convert solar energy into electrochemical potential capable of driving water electrolysis has intrinsic thermodynamic advantages. However, the identification of ideal light harvesting semiconductors and systems that can achieve high solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency and robustness in an economically feasible manner still remains a main challenge.
Organic semiconductors (OSs) are exceptional components to meet these requirements, considering their unique features to be engineered at the molecular level and solution-processed at low temperature. Optoelectronic Nanomaterials Engineering Laboratory (ONEL) is directed to designing novel organic semiconductors and establishing their roles as promising materials for various solar fuel productions. More importantly, the ONEL employs an all-in-one concept incorporating material design, preparation, characterization, and demonstration of diverse platforms for solar-driven energy conversion in a single lab. By leveraging this, the ONEL carries out autonomous and systematic research with the aim of demonstrating next-generation OS-photoelectrodes and OS-photocatalysts for efficient and long-lasting production of solar fuels.