Joel van Embden

Core research areas:
- Nanomaterials and Surface Chemistry
- Solar cells
- Nanostructured thin films
- Molecular precursor design

Nanomaterials are a unique class of matter that bridge atomic and bulk properties, and whose dimensions are often directly correlated to their optical and electrical properties. Nanocrystals are ideal templates for the active layers inside numerous technologies, including solar cells, photo-catalysts, LEDs, and batteries. The synthesis, characterization, and device application of novel semiconducting, metal, and metal oxide nanoparticles is one of Dr. van Embden’s major ongoing research themes.

Surface Chemistry must be carefully optimized within any nanocrystal-based technology. The formulation of novel nanocrystal-based “inks” and their successful application within electronic devices requires optimal surface chemistry. Nanocrystal surface chemistry plays an important role in wide variety of properties, including their catalytic activity, photoluminescence, charge transport phenomena, and film forming properties.

Solar cells are one of the most attractive renewable energy applications. The ability to solution process a solar cell in air at mild temperatures is unparalleled in its capacity to significantly reduce the cost of solar cell manufacture. Using a combination of wet chemical techniques we explore a number of novel routes to achieve high efficiency solar cells, including CZTSe, CuSbS2, CIGS, and perovskite solar cells.

Nanostructured thin films can possess enhanced optical and electrical properties compared to their bulk counterparts. There is a strong structure-function relation within such films. We investigate the production of functional nanostructured thin films using solution-based methods, as well as post deposition film processing conditions.

Molecular precursor design may be used to develop specialized precursors that are designed to decompose into bulk metals or semiconductors upon mild heating. Specific focus is given to novel molecular precursors conducive to the deposition of metal oxide, chalcogenide and phosphide thin films. The structure of the molecular precursor dictates the decomposition pathway, by-product formation (contaminants), as well as the composition, phase, and morphology of the resultant bulk material.

Key activities:
- Nanocrystal synthesis and surface chemistry
- Optical and electrical properties of nanostructures
- Functional nanocrystal-based thin-films
- Evaporated and solution processed inorganic solar cells
- Metal-organic precursors for semiconductor thin films
- Current fellowship: ARC, “All-in-one Functional Nanocrystal Inks for Printed Inorganic Solar Cells”

Professional interests:
- Australian Nanotechnology Network (ANN)
- Royal Australian Chemical Institute (MRACI CChem)
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- CSIRO summer studentships (Melbourne University)
- Research Display, Scienceworks, National Science Week
- Conference Organizer, Sir Mark Oliphant, Nanophotonics Down Under (2009)