Research

The development of effective materials for solar energy conversion requires the efficient collection of light energy, the ability to separate charges, and the capacity to direct charge transport to a desired location. Using biology as inspiration, my research focuses on artificially replicating stages of photosynthesis to advance the requirements for materials capable of solar energy conversion. Specifically, synthetic modifications to chlorophyll a (Chl) introduce the ability to utilize molecules that absorb light at a broad range of wavelengths and act as both donors and acceptors. Developing Chl derivatives capable of self-assembly further aids in creating well ordered marcostructures that fit the desired requirements listed above, while limiting intensive synthetic efforts.

Femtosecond transient absorption (fsTA), fsTA anisotropy (fsTAA) and time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) laser spectroscopy are all employed to help study the photophysical properties of synthetically generated molecules. Self-assembly structural information is further determined through small-angle and wide angle x-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) experiments performed at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory.

Chl 4-py	Chlorophyll a