2020/2021

2020/2021

DM270

CHIM/02 (PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY)

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMESTRY

CHEMISTRY

PERCORSO COMUNE

1°

2nd semester (01/03/2021 - 18/06/2021)

6

48 lesson hours

Italian

ORAL TEST

GRANCINI GIULIA (titolare) - 6 ECTS

Basic knowledge of physics and chemistry at the Bachelor degree level in scientific disciplines. Knowledge on basics of solid state physics is a plus.

The course aims to address the current energy problem from a global point of view that includes material science, chemistry, physics and engineering, focusing on innovative photovoltaic technologies as a current solution to sustainable energy. The objectives of the course are mainly:
1. Understanding the current energy problem, the challenge for renewables and the importance of solar energy in order to achieve the energy sustainability goals;
2. Understanding of the operating principle of a classic photovoltaic device (basic physics of the device, light absorption, pn junction, ideal diode, equivalent circuit, device structure, description of performance and operating parameters)
3. Understanding of the classification of semiconductor materials (molecular, polymeric, bulk) used as active films for photovoltaics (definition of band gap, molecular structure)
4. Awareness of the intimate link between material characteristics and physical parameters such as diffusion length, defects, recombination mechanisms.
5. Understanding of the principle behind the development of new generation solar cells based on organic polymeric materials and dyes (becoming familiar with new materials, deposition techniques, chemical-physical parameters)
6. Understanding of the major optical and spectroscopic investigation techniques for the analysis of materials and photovoltaic devices (UV-VIS, Raman Spectroscopy, Photoluminescence, Pump-Probe time-resolved spectroscopy)
7. Understanding of the operating principles of innovative solar cells - which are the state of the art for modern photovoltaics: hybrid perovskite cells (characterization of materials, optical and electronic properties, device characterization).
8. Understanding of the current photovoltaic market, comparative analysis of costs, trends, incentives.

The course will address the issues related to the scientific and technological development of innovative solutions in the field of photovoltaics, as a fundamental renewable energy source to allow a future sustainable development. The course is aimed at students of chemistry, physics and engineering, with the goal of presenting technologies related to the modern world of photovoltaics from complementary points of view. The course therefore deals with basic aspects related to energy problems, the role of renewables, and then goes into the details of the characterization of photovoltaic devices. The description includes the basic physics of the light-electricity conversion processes (light absorption, charge diffusion, recombination, defects), the operation of the photovoltaic device (photovoltaic efficiency description, goodness parameters, module description, pn junction description) ; the semiconductor materials used (dye molecules, organic polymers, inorganic semiconductors). It deals with the description of the device and the various techniques used for the realization of the modules by comparing the different technologies (from the first to the second to the third generation). Description of the new generation solar cells and state of the art of i) organic solar technologies; ii) to dye and iii) to perovskite, describing the materials, the principle of operation, discussing current examples, state of the art in the current research of these technologies, limitations and future developments. The course also includes a detailed description of the main characterization techniques of optical properties and optoelectronic processes, fundamental for the knowledge and characterization of the photovoltaic device (e.g. UV-VIS, Raman, time-resolved photoluminescence, electroluminescence, ultra-fast optical spectroscopy of pump probe). The course ends with an overview of the current market (cost analysis, LCOE, LCA).

Interactive lessons supported by PowerPoint projections (previously delivered to students). If possible, laboratory tours.
The interaction stimulated and mediated by the teacher creates interesting points for discussion and allows to verify and level the knowledge useful for the understanding of some of the specialized topics covered in the course (in order to equalize the notions held by students from different master's degree courses such as Chemistry, Physics and Engineering)
There is also a seminar / lesson (in English) by guest professor from foreign universities.

Didactic material (articles, insights) provided by the teacher. For the first part: J. Nelson, The Physics of Solar Cells (Imperial College Press, London, 2003)

The final evaluation includes an oral exam and a short written report.
The oral exam includes a powerpoint presentation on a topic of the students’ choice, the subject of the written essay. The methods and verification of the in-depth study, as well as their evaluation are detailed in the first lesson.

In the evaluation, predominant weight is attributed to the understanding of the general vision of the problems related to photovoltaics, to the student's ability to acquire a multidisciplinary language in addressing a specific topic seen from different facets, to the ability to identify and discuss the technical / scientific aspects as well as problems and foreseeable prospects of different photovoltaic technologies.