Our research group is at the forefront of scientific exploration, focusing on photo- and electro-catalytic processes integral to advancements in solar fuels, CO2 capture and conversion, and energy storage technologies. Bridging the disciplines of organic and physical chemistry, we employ sophisticated techniques to advance our understanding and capabilities in these areas:

  • Molecular Synthesis: We specialize in the molecular engineering of novel light harvesting chromophores and electro-catalysts that serve to provide insights into the fundamental aspects of energy conversion.

  • Electrochemistry: We conduct comprehensive electrochemical studies utilizing cyclic voltammetry, hydrodynamic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and other techniques to explore new electrochemical phenomena. We also utilize spectroelectrochemistry in the mid-IR and X-ray spectral region to identify chemical transformations that occur under applied potential

  • Spectroscopy: Utilizing advanced laser spectroscopy tools, we investigate temporal changes that occur during photochemical reactions. Our instruments have excellent temporal resolution in the femtosecond range and we probe intermediates in visible and mid-IR ranges.

    • We invite collaboration and inquiry as we strive to innovate and contribute to the advancement of energy research and technology. Three primary studies are conducted in our lab.

    Molecule-Electrode Hybrid Materials: We explore novel molecule/electrode hybrid materials formed by attaching, either covalently or noncovalently, tunable molecular electrocatalysts to the surface of conductive electrodes. We are particularly interested in understanding how the electrochemical behavior of molecular catalysts changes when they are immobilized onto the electrode surfaces and exposed to the electric fields that develop at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces. The catalysts are selected among those that drive transformations that are important for green energy applications, such as hydrogen evolution reaction, carbon dioxide reduction and oxygen reduction reaction.

     
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    Interfacial Electrochemistry of Catalyst-Coordinated Graphene Nanoribbons
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    Strong Electronic Coupling of Graphene Nanoribbons onto Basal Plane of Glassy Carbon Electrode
     

    Redox Mediation: We investigate molecular redox shuttles that can transport hydride ions, hydrogen atoms and electrons. We investigate factors that control thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical or photochemical generation of redox shuttles and the efficiency with which they deliver redox equivalents to the sites where chemical reactions take place. Our approach is in many ways inspired by the ways nature shuttles charge carriers via its quinone, flavin and NADH-based cofactors. We also investigate the applications of our redox shuttles in processes such as electrochemical and photochemical CO2 reduction, as well as Li-oxygen batteries.

     
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    Li-O2 Battery Discharge Redox Mediation by Triarylmethyl Cations
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    Thermodynamic Hydricities of Biomimetic Organic Hydride Donors
     

    Integrated Carbon Dioxide Capture and Conversion: In this project, we investigate novel chemical approaches to combining carbon dioxide capture and its direct conversion to value-added chemicals using solar energy. For this purpose, we investigate structures that enable the assembly of CO2-capture sorbents, light-harvesting groups and catalysts into complex "molecular photoreactors" for target transformations.

     
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    Photoreactive CO2 Capture by a Zr-Nanographene MOF
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    Proton-responsive Ligands Promote Atmospheric CO2 Capture and Accelerate Catalytic CO2/HCO2- Interconversion