Designing Organic Photosensitisers for Photoactivated Water Oxidation

• Applicant: Dr. Laura Dura
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry ; Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation ; Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2016 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 328552131

The splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen (artificial photosynthesis) is frequently declared a dream reaction of modern chemists. Since artificial photosynthesis converts renewable solar energy into storable chemical fuels. The evolution of oxygen from water (water oxidation) represents the more challenging reaction of artificial photosynthesis and thus still requires further research.Dyes figure prominently in the topic of artificial photosynthesis due to their ability to absorb light and thus provide the energy for reactions. Therefore this project has the objective of designing organic dyes that are suitable for the harsh conditions of water oxidation. To the best of my knowledge evolution of oxygen from water using visible light as energy source has not been explored systematically by now. Furthermore this research project presents a first attempt to introduce organic dyes into these systems. The studies proposed include synthesis of suitable dyes as well as systematic variation of their photo physical properties to determine favourable characteristics for usage in water oxidation systems. Within 24 month I plan to synthesise and characterise six dyes and test the ability to evolve oxygen under irradiation with visible light of systems containing either a ruthenium or a copper complex, one of the afore mentioned dyes and water as solvent and starting material. Extensive characterisation of these systems will provide parameters for comparison to recent results on the topic. Further studies include investigations on intermediates and reaction rate.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Spain
• Host: Professor Dr. Antoni Llobet