Spin-Exchange and Energy Transfer at Hybrid Molecular/Lanthanide Nanoparticle Interfaces to Control Triplet Excitons

The SPICE project is exploring a new way to control special energy states called spin-1 triplet excitons. These are types of excited energy states in certain materials that could be useful for advanced technologies. Recent discoveries have shown that, by combining organic semiconductors with lanthanide-doped nanoparticles, it’s possible to link the spins (a kind of intrinsic rotation) of molecules with the unpaired spins of lanthanide ions. This connection allows energy to transfer between the molecules and lanthanide ions, opening up new possibilities for controlling how these energy states behave.

SPICE will use advanced techniques, like steady-state and ultrafast optical spectroscopy, along with custom-designed molecules and nanoparticles, to study this energy transfer in detail. The goal is to build a deep understanding of how this spin-exchange coupling works at the interface between the organic materials and the lanthanide nanoparticles. The project also aims to create and test new materials and devices that take advantage of these insights, potentially paving the way for new applications in the field.