Dresden 2026 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 51: Focus Session: 75 Years Polymer Physics Division: From Curiosity to Smart Materials (joint session CPP/BP)

CPP 51.4: Topical Talk

Thursday, March 12, 2026, 16:45–17:15, ZEU/LICH

Molecular electronic materials and devices for solar energy conversion — •Jenny Nelson — Imperial College London

To maximize the potential of solar power, new materials will be needed to harvest and convert solar energy alongside existing photovoltaic technologies. Molecular electronic materials, such as conjugated polymers and molecules, can achieve photovoltaic conversion through a process of photon absorption, charge separation at a heterojunction, and charge collection. Through a remarkable series of advances in materials design, the efficiency of photovoltaic energy conversion in molecular materials has risen from 1% to over 20% within two decades. We will discuss the factors that control the function of molecular solar cells including the nature of the charge separating heterojunction, and the impact of chemical and physical structure on phase behaviour, energy and charge transport, light harvesting, and loss pathways, comparing experimental measurements with a computational model of the generation and evolution of excited states and charges in such systems. We identify key molecular parameters that are likely to assist charge generation and consider the extent to which these parameters are optimised in the best performing materials. Finally, we will address the limits to conversion efficiency in such systems.

Keywords: Conjugated polymers; solar energy conversion; charge transfer; simulation; organic electronics