In this project supported by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Dr. Mary Jane Shultz at Tufts University will use surface-specific sum frequency generation (SFG) to study photooxidation reactions on heterogeneous surfaces in order to identify the nature and location of reactive species. Amines and alcohols, which are known to photooxidize at heterogeneous surfaces, will be examined on three substrates, nanostructured TiO2; TiO2 codeposited with SnO2, WO3, or CdO; and coupled-oxide substrates capped with TiO2, in order to elucidate the surface chemistry. SFG will also be used to investigate a layered growth technique on quartz. A fundamental understanding of parameters affecting hole transfer and target binding is applicable to numerous interfacial charge-transfer processes.
Electron transfer at heterogeneous surfaces plays a central role in numerous processes and practical devices, including solar cells, components of modern electronics, and catalysts. The materials being examined in this project are known for their ability to oxidize pollutants.
