Vejleder: Christina Wegeberg
Requirements: KE504, KE505 and KE525 passed.
Projektbeskrivelse
In the Wegeberg group, we are interested in exploiting the interaction between light and matter by developing photoactive transition metal complexes. Our research is motivated by the fact that the world-wide energy consumption is less than 0.02 % of the total solar energy hitting Earth’s surface. Invention of transition metal complexes – capable of absorbing sunlight and converting this energy into electricity or solar fuels in an efficient manner – is therefore highly desirable.
Our research focuses on using Earth-abundant metals like manganese and iron to develop sustainable light harvesting technologies. This is, however, a fundamental challenge, because the Earth-abundant metals – being placed in the first row of the transition metal – have a weak ligand field splitting, hampering many photochemical applications. We aim at overcoming this fundamental challenge by using rational ligand design strategies. As we want good absorption properties, our compounds have beautiful colors.
We use a large range of spectroscopy techniques to obtain in-depth understanding of the electronic structure of the transition metal complexes and their resulting photoactivity. We are particularly interested in elucidating excited state dynamics with a clear focus on boosting photophysical performance. We work at the interphase between inorganic chemistry and physical chemistry and enjoy mechanistic studies very much.
A bachelor project in the Wegeberg group can for example focus on:
- Synthesis and characterization of new chromophores
This work would typically include organic synthesis of new ligands and synthesis of coordination complexes, analogous to what you have tried in the KE525 lab. Relevant characterization techniques are NMR, IR, EPR, UV/Vis absorption and emission spectroscopies as well as mass spectrometry, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and electrochemistry. - Photodegradation of resistant chemicals
Using the energy input of light, this line of research will investigate how resistant chemicals can be degraded using photoactive transition metal complexes. The project will focus on obtaining a mechanistic understanding of how the excited state interacts and activates inert bonds such as C-F bonds. Relevant characterization techniques are NMR, UV/Vis absorption, emission and transient absorption spectroscopies as well as spectroelectrochemistry and GC.
A bachelor project will of course be tailored to your research interests, so please contact Christina for more information (wegeberg@sdu.dk).