MOSPhotocat · Application of Metal Oxide Semiconductors in Photocatalysis
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2018-07-16 → 2020-07-15
- EU contribution
- €177,599
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Application of Metal Oxide Semiconductors in Photocatalysis
The sunlight can be transformed into energy to drive numerous high value natural and synthetic processes. Without going into further detail, in photosynthesis, plants can convert the sunlight into chemical energy to deliver fuel for the organism's activities. However, in some synthetic systems, the use of highly energetic ultraviolet light may involve the use of specialized glassware or the formation of non-desirable compounds. On the other hand, visible light is the most abundant energy that you can get from the sunlight, however, some systems cannot directly use this lower energetic light per se. Thus, the primary goal of this proposal aims to study the formation of ligand to metal charge transition (LMCT) complexes between simple adsorbates and metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) to enhance its visible light response as well as to study the mechanisms involved in these photocatalytic systems. In a second step, it aims to combine visible light-responsive MOS with photomicroflow systems to exploit the photocatalytic potential of these materials in continuous flow. The formation of LMCT with simple adsorbates and MOS, enhanced their visible light response and made them very attractive candidates to replace complexes based on toxic and rare ruthenium and iridium transition metals to drive visible light organic transformations. However, more extensive studies are needed to determine the best combination between adsorbates and MOS to trigger valuable photocatalytic applications in the field of synthetic organic chemistry. Finally, we have demonstrated that the exploitation of sustainable sunlight to boost photo-driven organic reactions can be afforded using luminescent solar concentrators based photomicroreactors using molecular photocatalysts. The combination of theoretical and experimental studies disclosed the truly active species involved in the photocatalytic processes where the MOS are present. Overall, we have provided a better understanding of the real species that could be present in this “heterogeneous” photocatalytic process.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Recently, visible light photoredox catalysis has come to the focal point of the organic synthetic field and holds promise to use solar irradiation to establish important chemical bonds in the synthesis of complex organic molecules. However, most reports thus far use transition metal complexes based on rare and expensive iridium and ruthenium. In this Marie Curie proposal, metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) will be applied as abundant and cheap visible light photocatalysts to establish C-C and C-N linkages in organic molecules in batch and photomicroflow reactors. To extend their absorption to the visible light range, I will study the formation of so-called ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) complexes with different adsorbates/ligands covalently linked to the surface of the MOS. The effect of linkers, ligands, different organic solvents, concentrations, as well as reaction times will be studied in the formation of these complexes. The LMCT complexes will be fully characterized with spectroscopic techniques. Next, these new photocatalysts will be evaluated in valuable C-C and C-N forming organic reactions. Furthermore, mechanistic studies will be carried out to aid the discovery process and to further optimize the photocatalysts. Finally, the reactions will be carried out in continuous-flow reactors to increase the efficiency of the photocatalytic transformation. Hereto, a slurry Taylor flow regime will be used and a recycling strategy will be developed to efficiently reuse the photocatalyst. We will also use so-called Luminescent Solar Concentrator PhotoMicroreactors (LSC-PM) to enable the use of solar energy. During this fellowship, I aim to strengthen both my scientific and soft skills required to start an independent researcher career. In addition, I intend to expand my scientific network by starting collaborations with leading experts in both academia and industry.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN · EindhovenCoordinatorNetherlands
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union