Ian Wark Research Institute
ARC Special Research Centre
ARC Special Research Centre
Research Area: Nanochemistry, physical chemistry, surface chemistry
Supervisors: Prof
Bill Skinner and Prof
Thomas Nann
Description: Semiconductor nanocrystals (so called Quantum Dots
or QDs) are excellent light absorbers for artificial photosynthesis
systems [1]. However, most of the currently used QDs are either highly
toxic (for example CdSe QDs [2]) or not producible on an industrial
scale (e.g. InP QDs [3]). In this project, we will synthesise non-toxic
and environmentally benign QDs by simple, wet-chemical methods. The
resulting nanocrystals will be analysed by various spectroscopies
(including X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy), transmission electron
microscopy (TEM) and other, surface sensitive methods. Our goal is to
find and evaluate novel QD systems for artificial photosynthesis, or
more specifically solar water-splitting.
This project involves wet-chemical synthesis as well as physical
chemical characterisation methods. Therefore, basic knowledge in these
areas is highly desirable. This project is not suitable for students
without any background in chemistry.
References
1 T. Nann, S. K. Ibrahim, P. Woi, S. Xu, J. Ziegler, C. J. Pickett,
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2010, 49, 1574-1577.
2 R. Xie, U. Kolb, J. Li, T. Basche, A. Mews, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005,
127, 7480-7488.
3 S. Xu, S. Kumar, T. Nann, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 1054-1055.
