Ian Wark Research Institute
ARC Special Research Centre
ARC Special Research Centre
Research Area: Chemistry, spectroscopy, electrochemistry,
materials science, colloid science, surface chemistry
Supervisor: Prof
Thomas Nann
Description: In less than two hours, the surface of the earth
receives more solar energy than the entire human population consumes
within one year. Plants convert a small fraction of this energy into
hydrocarbons and oxygen by oxidising water and reducing carbon dioxide:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Even though this process has a relatively low efficiency of about 1%, it
enables life on earth. This project aims to develop an artificial
photosynthesis system, which is based on quantum dots (semiconductor
nanocrystals or QDs) as light harvesting antennas and two catalysts for
water oxidation and proton or carbon dioxide reduction. We will address
three major research challenges within this project: (i) the synthesis
and functionalisation of QD antennas, (ii) the synthesis and
optimisation of catalysts for water oxidation and reduction of protons
or carbon dioxice, and (iii) the assembly, characterisation and
optimisation of the whole artificial photosynthesis system. Students who
are interested in any one of these sub-themes are encouraged to apply.
Methods
- wet-chemical synthesis of QD precursors
- synthesis of molecular catalysts
- electronic spectroscopy
- various electrochemical methods including spectro-electrochemistry
- gas chromatography
- various X-Ray spectroscopies and diffraction methods
- electron microscopy
- standard analytical methods
References
1. Nann, T. et al. Water Splitting by Visible Light: A Nanophotocathode
for Hydrogen Production. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 49, 1574-1577 (2010).
2 http://pubs.acs.org/toc/achre4/42/12
3 Barber, J. Photosynthetic energy conversion: natural and artificial.
Chem. Soc. Rev. 38, 185-196 (2009).
Funding: All students should apply for an IWRI fully-funded
scholarship.
International students should also apply for an International
Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) and a UniSA President's
Scholarship (UPS). To be eligible for UPS, applicants must have a
supervisor willing to nominate them for consideration.
Australian students should also apply for an Australian Postgraduate
Award (APA) and a UniSA Australian Postgraduate Research Award (USAAPRA).
International and national travel and collaboration will be involved in
this project and students should be prepared to travel overseas for
short periods of focused research.
