Project Info
XBOFs: A New Class of Materials for Light Harvesting
C. Michael McGuirk | cmmcguirk@gmail.com
Predictably organizing molecules in 3D space has yielding a revolution in modern chemistry. One field that may particularly benefit from this concept is materials for the harvesting of light for the production of energy. Through previous efforts, chemists and materials scientists have realized that the chemical “tool” used to organize molecules in a material has a tremendous impact on the overall function of the material. Our group will attempt to overcome previous shortcomings by using a cutting-edge chemical tool called halogen bonding to desirably create materials that can react with light to create current. In order to do so, we must first demonstrate that halogen bonding can indeed organize molecules the way we desire. Students on this project will be seeking to make the first ever demonstration of a entirely new class of materials in chemistry.
More Information
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00484
https://www.nature.com/articles/nchem.2689
Grand Engineering Challenge: Not applicable
Student Preparation
Qualifications
chemistry, chemical engineering or materials science students are most appropriate, but any student that is enthusiastic and wants to get their hands dirty in the lab are welcome.
There is opportunity to develop a high throughput approach to this project, so students apt in (very) simple robotics could make a big impact.
Time Commitment
20-30 hours/month
Skills/Techniques Gained
organic chemistry
materials characterization, such as X-ray diffraction, microscopy and gas adsorption
general chemistry knowledge
Mentoring Plan
Given that this is a new lab, students will get considerable hands on mentoring. Students will have access to the professor that they would not get with a older professor. This will lead to rapid knowledge growth, and potential for a real impact in the lab’s research.