My work focuses on the study of new molecular systems for application in organic photovoltaics. To this end, I am incorporating perylene imide molecules, such as those synthesized in the Wasielewski group, in solar cells. Perylene imide derivatives are desirable for such application as they are robust and absorb well in the visible region.

I also use femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to study the photophysics of these molecules. Currently this is done in solution. In the future I plan to study these systems in thin films and then apply these results to improve organic photovoltaic design.

Figure 1-Steady State UV-Vis Absorption of pentacene and N,N’-bis(n-octyl)-perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) films