ERA NANOSCI: Engineering Light Induced CHarge Transfer: a first step towards inorganic photosyntesis

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Angela Rizzi
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2007 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 40096270

The scope of the present project is to devise new nanoscale architectures (coaxial-nanowires cNW) able to mimic the processes by which the photosynthetic organism harvest sunlight and convert its energy to more useful forms. Based on a theoretical description of the interface and the confinement effects of charge carriers in the nanostructure, both inorganic and hybrid (organic/inorganic) antenna systems will be considered, to get larger flexibility on the design, and optimize efficiency in energy gain. The novel nano-object that we propose consists of an indium nitride nanorod either embedded in an InxGal-xN shell or functionalised with a light adsorbing molecules. The design of the cNW structure, the outer shell composition, and the specific inner NW size are the key elements on which it is required to achieve control to optimize the structure efficiency for light conversion. Structural, optical and electrical characterization will be performed on the single cNW.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel, Italy, Spain
• Participating Persons: Dr. Andres Cantarero; Dr. Giancarlo Cicero; Professor Dr. Itamar Willner, Ph.D.