Prof. Emilio Palomares

I have always been very active and enthusiastic on the study of charge transfer reactions in materials applied to energy conversion and catalysis. My research has always been cutting-edge and at the frontier of the topics I have focused on with key results, published in journals of the 1st quartile. From my early days as ICIQ as ERC Stg Fellow and ICREA Research professor, where I explored the use of time-resolved spectroscopy to characterize quantum dot and dye sensitised-based solar cells, to recently as a ICIQ Director where I focus on the study of molecular structure vs device function relationship from a spectroscopic view-point, I have always focussed on solar-to-energy/products conversion systems.

As ICREA research Professor at ICIQ, I have consolidated an international research group focused on the use of organic molecules and materials for organic solar cells, the synthesis and characterization of semiconductor nanocrystals (such as PbS, CdSe and CdTe quantum dots) and their application in light emitting diodes, solar cells and photoelectrochemical devices. This effort was recognised with an ERC Starting Grant in 2009 to study the interfacial charge and energy transfer at the interface between quantum dots and semiconductor polymers. This expertise has also allowed me to work on the preparation of nanobiomolecular probes for the diagnosis of human diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chemosensors, a line of research awarded with an ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2015) and further valorised as spin-off technology. Finally, during these last years I have also investigated in perovskite-based solar cells, trying to understand the charge transfer kinetics and efficiency losses in the whole device and through the interfaces. And recently I have extended my interest towards catalysis.
At ICIQ, I currently lead a research team composed of 4 senior researchers, 4 PostDocs, 4 PhD students, 2 master students and 1 technician working on the above-mentioned topics, all funded through competitive programs from regional (AGAUR), national (MCIN) and European funding bodies (3 collaborative projects in FP6, 2 collaborative projects in FP7, 3 collaborative projects in H2020). In total, I have obtained over 2,2 million euros since 2012 In addition, I am currently the Director of the Institute and the Chair of the E2S (Energy, Environment Solutions) at UPPA (France).

Regarding my leadership in industrial innovation and design, my research group has received substantial funding from industry, I have led 8 industrial projects on materials for energy with different industries..Back in 2006, ACCIONA (Acciona Solar) one of the largest Spanish companies investing in renewable energy funded for 4 years our research in dye sensitized solar cells. Before, in 2004, ATERSA a Spanish SME did also support our investigation in solar cells. Overall, my group has permanent industrial collaborations with companies related either with energy and/or materials for a total amount of 100.000 €/year. Moreover, I was the coordinator of the largest industrial project for the study of molecular solar cells in Spain (FOTOMOL) involving 6 public research centers, 2 technological centers and 3 industries funded by the Spanish government with 871.200€ for 2 years. I have also signed agreements with the technological centres of EURECAT and LEITAT. The possibility to transfer my knowledge to industrial partners was recognised with the Innova award in 2010 by the SusChem platform (Sustainable Chemistry Industrial Platform). I am the author of 7 patents, 5 of them international. Since 2020, I am coordinating scientific and industrial actions between ICIQ and the AEQT (Industrial Chemical Association of Tarragona).