Molecular Studies and Supramolecular Organization of Multi-electron Photocatalysts for Solar Energy Conversion

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Professor Frederick MacDonnell, a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Arlington, is supported by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program to develop multi-electron photocatalysts based on ruthenium. The electronic structure of dinuclear complexes capable of storing multiple redox equivalents to drive proton-coupled electron transfer reactions as a function of pH will be explored. Strategies for both hydrogen generation from sunlight and for electricity generation from sunlight will be investigated.Photocatalysis is one of the few attractive alternatives for maintaining a high standard of living based on continuing energy consumption at the current rate. Finite fossil fuel energy sources are dwindling rapidly, and research plans for converting sunlight to energy, either electrical or in the form of hydrogen gas, are important for future realization of a sustainable economy.