Nanomaterials for lighting and solar energy conversion

Luminescence and photoinduced energy and electron transfer are fundamental processes that are acquiring an increasing importance for a number of applications in several fields. Our group is particularly concerned with those related to lighting and solar energy conversion, which entail the design, preparation and characterization of suitably designed molecules, metal complexes, supramolecular arrays and nanomaterials. Some of our recent results in this area will be briefly illustrated, particularly on (i) transition metal complexes, (ii) luminescent hybrid materials made of inorganic luminophores and carbon nanotubes, and (iii) photoinduced processes in multichromophoric systems containing fullerene as electron acceptor combined with suitable electron donors. In an effort to keep a tutorial approach and a broader view, we will introduce the data presented in light of their potential applications and, more generally, in the context of the energy transition to be accomplished in the present century.