In this project funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, McHale will conduct a series of spectroscopic investigations of interfacial electron transfer and chromophore aggregation. Resonance Raman intensity analysis and absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies will be used to investigate the sub-picosecond dynamics of interfacial charge-transfer from excited electronic states of dyes adsorbed on semiconductor surfaces. Details of the electron injection by dye sensitizers adsorbed on colloidal titanium oxide nanoparticles suspended in aqueous and non-aqueous solution will be investigated. Along with electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy, resonance Raman experiments will also probe the nature of the electronic coupling of the dye and the semiconductor.
This research deals with fundamental photophysical processes of dyes adsorbed on semiconductor surfaces. The results of the work will be of interest in the development of dye-sensitized solar cells and related photoelectrochemical, photovoltaic, and photocatalytic devices. Students will participate in this research and acquire research skills in a technologically important area.
