Modified Chemical Electrodes for Solar Fuel and Catalysis Applications

New Chemistries to Modify Carbon-based Materials

Carbon materials have unprecedented chemical stability, but often require harsh chemistries to modify the surface chemically. We are developing a new synthetic approach--based on the nucleophilic replacement of surface-bound chlorine atoms--to modify carbon-based materials with functional groups that are compatible with click chemistries.

To date, we have developed three such modifications for amorphous carbon thin films, with terminal azide, thiol, or vinyl groups.

We are particularly interested in:
1) Experimentally probing the reaction mechanisms, to best tune surface reactivity and selectivity.
2) Determining new patterning methods.
3) Applying our reaction strategies to new materials.

Chemically Modified Electrodes and Catalyst Supports

Amorphous carbon films are ideal materials for generating functional materials, as their electronic and optical properties are readily tailored with both alterations in deposition parameters and through the introduction of new functional groups on the surface.

We are using the new surface modification chemistries to develop electrode materials, with the specific questions of:
1) How stable are these chemistries when exposed to continued electrochemical cycling in both aqueous and organic environments?
2) What is the optimal surface chemistry for direct electronic communication between aC film and electroactive molecules attached to the surface?
3) How can the optical properties of the aC films be used to drive electrochemical reactions?

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We thank the following organizations for their support (previous and continued) of our work and allowing us to realize new science!