Dynamics of Photoexcitation and Photocatalysis at Nanostructured Carbon Interfaces
Abstract
During this grant, we have made major contributions to the understanding and practice of photoexcitation and photocatalysis at nanostructured carbon interfaces. There were two aspects to this grant. One aspect was to study the dynamics of films of carbon nanotubes for next generation photovoltaics and photodetectors. The other was to study the dynamics of CO2 reduction using solvated electrons. We made excellent progress on both fronts, with each direction leading to publications in high-impact journals. With regard to the carbon nanotubes, the highlight was developing a new technique that we called two-dimensional white-light (2D WL) spectroscopy. With it, we mapped the energy flow through thin films of semiconducting carbon nanotubes with unprecedented resolution. This work was published in Nature Communications. Regarding CO2 reduction, we demonstrated highly selective photochemical reduction of CO2 to CO with virtually no reduction of hydrogen (published in Angewandte Chemie). We have also identified conditions under which CO2 can be also reduced to CO using inexpensive diamond nanocrystals, like that commonly used as a polishing grit. Please see our full report for a more complete abstract and description of our progress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 14, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1013316
Entities
People
- Martin T. Zanni
- Michael S Arnold
- Robert J. Hamers
Organizations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison