Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Philipp Frech


PhD Student

E-Mail: philipp.frech[at]uni-tuebingen.de

Telephone: +49 (0)7071 29 76244

Office: A4 A04


Project Description

Octahedral transition metal cluster complexes are known for their abilities to generate singlet oxygen and to emit in the red-NIR range with high photoluminescence quantum yields. These properties make them promising candidates for example as oxygen sensors, for photocatalysis or cancer treatment. However, their poor solubility in aqueous media and low cellular uptake combined with high required excitation energies in the UV range, are persistent limits to their biological applicability.

This project aims to encapsulate these clusters with phospholipids into a micellular matrix which results in biocompatible and water-soluble clusters usable in biological systems. Sensitizers like inorganic quantum dots based on CdSe, PbS or CsPbBr3 will be incorporated into the micelles to extend the cluster excitation wavelength to the red-NIR by means of energy transfer from the quantum dot to the cluster.
The photophysical properties and energy transfer dynamics will be elucidated with time-resolve femtosecond and nanosecond pump/probe spectroscopy.


10/2015 -08/2018
Nano-Science B.Sc.

University of Tübingen

10/2018 -08/2021
Nano-Science M.Sc.

University of Tübingen

11/2018 -04/2019
Scientific Assistant in the AK Scheele

Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Tübingen

09/2019 - 01/2020
Visiting Assistant in Research in the Kieltyka Group

Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden University, Netherlands

03/2020 - 03/2021
Scientific Assistant in the AK Scheele

Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Tübingen

09/2021 - today
PhD Student in the AK Scheele

Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Tübingen