Prof. Santiago Franco

Department of Organic Chemistry
Faculty of Sciences. Building D, 3rd floor
University of Zaragoza – Campus San Francisco.
E-50009 Zaragoza, Aragón, SPAIN
Phone: +34 976 762283
e-mail: sfranco@unizar.es

Research background and interests

My research activity is based on organic synthesis, with early work in stereoselective chemistry and bioorganic molecules, particularly carbohydrate-derived nitrones and their application to bioactive systems. I carried out a three-year postdoctoral stay at Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris), which provided a strong foundation in molecular design, reactivity and synthetic strategy and supported my subsequent transition to functional molecular materials.

In 2006, I joined the Photoactive π-Functional Systems research group at the University of Zaragoza. My initial work within the group focused on donor–π–acceptor molecular systems for nonlinear optical applications. From 2011 onwards, I established and have led a research line on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), integrating molecular design and synthesis with photophysical characterization and device fabrication. This work involved the development of new π-conjugated chromophores and the progressive consolidation of a laboratory infrastructure for photovoltaic devices.

More recently, my research has expanded towards molecular materials for perovskite solar cells, with a particular focus on hole-transport materials and structure–property relationships. In parallel, I have initiated research on the design and synthesis of photoactive organic molecules for applications in photodynamic therapy, building on the group’s expertise in photoactive systems and photochemical processes. Throughout my career, I have remained closely involved in experimental laboratory work, directly supervising students and contributing to the development and characterization of new photoactive molecular systems.