Organic electronics and photovoltaics

Organic electronics and photovoltaics are scientific fields focused on the development of a brand-new class of electronic devices with revolutionary properties. Organic devices offer a vast range of advantages over inorganic-based electronics and photovoltaics due to their potential in the development of ultra-thin, flexible, lightweight and low cost devices. There is an ever increasing interest in these fields with a growing number of chemists, physicists, material scientists and engineers focusing their efforts to these areas.
Conjugated polymers are a family of organic semiconductors based on long range π - conjugated systems with a regular alternation of single and double covalent bonds. The use of a class of materials that merge the traditional semiconductors features with the mechanical and processability properties of plastics will make it possible to produce innovative electronic and solar cells devices.
The performance of these organic devices is affected by several parameters. It is well known that the supramolecular interactions between the conjugated polymers and the final nanoscale structure play a particularly fundamental role.
Our research interests focus on the study of conjugated polymer systems structure-properties relationship, with particular attention to polythiophene derivatives-based materials. Using a nanotechnological approach, it is possible to control and tailor their material structure and, ultimately, their physical properties. Our work has proved the beneficial effects of the formation of well-defined nanostructures, especially one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures obtained through the electrospinning technique. The formation of hierarchical structures achieved by the polymer chains orientation along the axis of electrospun nanofibers optimizes charge transport and gives new optical properties to the final materials.
Furthermore, our activities are aimed at exploring the applicability of organic bioelectronic devices. In our opinion, this exciting and challenging biomedical field is the keystone for obtaining electronic devices that are fully integrated with biological systems. The achievements of these objectives will open the doors to new medical diagnosis and treatments.

Electrospinning Nanofibers Organic Electronics Solar Cells Photovoltaics Conductive Polymer Graphene Carbon Nanotubes Fullerene Graphene Oxide Polypyrrole Polythiophene Polyaniline Hydrogel