Wednesday, September 3, 2008 @ 12:00 p.m.
Kiva Room, Student Union Building

Professor Nathan S. Lewis
George L. Argyros Professor of Chemistry
Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
California Institute of Technology

 

"Progress and Challenges in Solar Energy Conversion Using Semiconductor/Liquid Junctions"

 

Semiconductor/liquid contacts are useful in photoelectrodes as well as for probing the fundamental surface chemistry and surface physics of semiconductors.  In this talk, we will discuss the thermodynamics and dynamics of charge flow across semiconductor/liquid interfaces with an emphasis on comparison of theory and experiment for charge transfer in 1-electron outer-sphere redox systems.  In addition, we will discuss the principles of surface modification to control the electrical, electronic, and chemical properties of Si surfaces.  Finally, we will discuss the use of membrane-based semiconductor nanostructures in artificial photosynthesis to produce H2 and O2 from water and sunlight.

 

(Sponsored by the Departments of Chemistry and Chemical and Environmental Engineering)