Research objectives
We are searching for new proton conductors with high conductivity and thermal stability that could be used as sources of green energy. They could be used as electrolytes in fuel cells, where the only by-products are water and heat. The research aim of the Department of Molecular Crystals is to understand the nature of physical phenomena that occur in proton conductors. This will enable us to design new functional materials that could be used in an innovative economy. In the face of growing demand for electricity and rising prices, we are also undertaking activities related to searching for new alternative sources of energy, which should be inexhaustible, easily accessible, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Great hopes are raised by the possibility of using clean energy from solar radiation. Our research aims to design and produce a new donor-acceptor copolymer with a narrow energy gap, which could be used in efficient solar cells. For many years we have been investigating the physical properties of organic conductors that could find applications in future electronics. Our research is focused on understanding the nature of phase transitions induced by temperature or pressure, charge ordering phenomena, electron correlations, charge distribution fluctuations, and coupling of electrons to internal vibrations of molecules.
Research profile
Using experimental and theoretical methods of molecular spectroscopy, vibrational and electron structure studies of electronically and ionically conducting organic materials are conducted. Measurements are performed in a wide spectral range from far-infrared to ultraviolet as a function of temperature (from 1.8 to 900 K) and pressure (up to 20 GPa). In the Department of Molecular Crystals, we deal with calculation (DFT and TD-DFT methods) and interpretation of theoretical spectra. In our research, we use the following techniques and experimental methods of condensed phase physics: the technique of transmission/absorption spectra in polarized light, the technique of specular reflection spectra in polarized light in a wide range of incident and reflected angles, the technique of diffuse reflection spectra, the technique of attenuated total internal reflection, the technique of reflection-absorption spectra from thin films applied on a metallic substrate, the Raman scattering method, measurements of specific electrical conductivity by the four-electrode method, thermo-optical analysis, methods of fluorescence, luminescence and phosphorescence spectroscopy.
Research Profile
- Electron states, proton conductivity and molecular dynamics in organic materials for molecular electronics, fuel cells, and photovoltaics (statutory task 2021-2023)
- Chirality and electrical conductivity in novel multifunctional materials for electronics applications (grant task 2022-2023)
- Effect of temperature and pressure on the helical hydrogen bonding network of new solid electrolytes (grant task 2020-2023)
- Analysis of physicochemical properties of novel proton conductors of dicarboxylic acid derivatives (grant task 2017-2020)
- Fabrication and optoelectronic properties of graphene oxide-based composites (grant task 2016-2020)
- Synthesis and photo-electrochemical properties of novel hybrid systems of graphene oxide with organic modifiers for molecular optoelectronics applications (grant task 2015-2017)
- An investigation by IR and Raman spectroscopy of the role of hydrogen and halogen bonding in the formation of the Mott insulator state in low dimensional organic conductors formed by tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives (grant task 2012-2015)
- Photo-electrochemical characterization of thin films of organic semiconductors (grant task 2012-2015)
- Functionalization of "small" carbon nano-onions with polyphenolic compounds and their potential application in elastin/collagen biosensors (grant task 2011-2014)