International Collaboration in Chemistry: Microphase Photo-Electrochemistry: Light-Driven Liquid-Liquid Ion Transfer Processes and Two-Phase Micro-Photovoltaic Systems

在NSF化学部、分析和表面化学计划以及国际科学与工程办公室、布兰查德（密歇根州立大学）和马尔肯（英国巴斯大学）研究小组支持的这项研究中，重点研究了微相液体：液体界面和三相边界的光电化学过程。 这样的结构提供了一个独特的环境，其中激发的分子和反应中间体是在电极表面和液体：液体界面紧密接近。 研究此类系统的目标在于这些类型的结构在光合光捕获等过程中发挥的关键作用。 该项目分为四个主要的相互关联的部分：（A）使用荧光探针阴离子研究电化学或光电化学驱动的离子转移过程，（B）研究和筛选在液-液界面和三相界面同时进行的电子和离子转移，（C）研究在选定界面进行的涉及电子和离子转移的两相过程，以及（D）描述液体局部环境的特征：使用荧光探针分子的液体界面，目的是了解界面的电势和穿过界面的离子通量如何影响局部环境。本研究计划的更大目的，除了了解光电化学动力学在复杂的相间系统，是教育学生在多学科科学的前沿。 美国必须培养多样化的学生群体，使其在科学职业方面具有全球竞争力。 这项研究是这一努力的重要工具。 通过促进布兰查德（密歇根州立大学）和马尔肯（英国巴斯大学）研究小组之间的协同关系，将培养一批具有全球竞争力的跨国科学家，使美国和联合王国直接受益。 该项目将促进建立一个双边智囊团，并将促进在研究和开发领域自由交流想法，这对生物系统和能源转换之间的科学有直接影响。 在这项合作研究中开发的想法和实验可以帮助筛选和识别新的光收集过程，可能模仿自然过程，因此有助于新的能量收集/存储/管理系统。

In this research supported by the NSF Chemistry Division, Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program and Office of International Science and Engineering, Blanchard (Michigan State University) and Marken (University of Bath, UK) research groups focus on studying photo-electrochemical processes at microphase liquid:liquid interfaces and at triple phase boundaries. Such structures offer a unique environment where excited molecules and reaction intermediates are in close proximity to both electrode surfaces and liquid:liquid interfaces. The goal in studying such systems lies in the critical role that these types of structure play in processes such as photosynthetic light harvesting. The project is divided into four main, interconnected parts: (A) the study of electrochemically or photo-electrochemically driven ion transfer processes using fluorescent probe anions, (B) the study and screening of simultaneous electron and ion transfer at liquid:liquid interfaces and triple phase boundaries, (C) the investigation of two-phase processes involving electron and ion transfer at selected interfaces, and (D) characterizing the local environment at liquid:liquid interfaces using fluorescent probe molecules for the purpose of understanding how the potential of the interface and flux of ions across the interface affects the local environment.The larger purpose of this research program, beyond understanding photo-electrochemical dynamics at complex interphase systems, is to educate students at the cutting edge of multidisciplinary science. It is imperative that the United States train a diverse population of students to be globally competitive for careers in science. This research serves as an important vehicle in that effort. By fostering a synergistic relationship between the Blanchard (Michigan State University) and Marken (University of Bath UK) research groups, a multinational cohort of globally competitive scientists will be educated, directly benefiting both the United States and the United Kingdom. This project will facilitate the creation of a bilateral think tank and will foster the free exchange of ideas in a field of research and development that has direct impact on science at the interface between biosystems and energy conversion. The ideas and experiments developed in this collaborative study can help screen and identify new light harvesting processes, possibly mimicking natural processes, and therefore contribute to new energy harvesting/storage/management systems.