2016 Participants
Rosalind Mather
The use of solar energy as an alternative fuel is becoming increasingly important. Natural light-harvesting photosystems such as chlorophyll are highly efficient at absorbing light and converting it to electrical energy. This project aims to synthesise a new compound which will mimic such systems. It will contain an organic dye called dypirrin which has excellent light absorption in the visible spectrum and has a similar structure to porphyrin, the basic building block of chlorophyll. The new compound will contain this dipyrrin and another species called quinolinolate, both bonded to a zinc (II) centre. Upon exposure to light, the compound is expected to undergo a charge transfer process in which electrical energy is transferred between the two species. The compound will be studied using spectrophotometric techniques to elucidate the mechanism of light absorption and emission, in view of potential applications as a photo-sensitiser for solar energy conversion into electricity and fuels.
Funding source: Newcastle University
Supervisor: Prof Fabio Cucinotta