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Our Mission
Our research program is focused on developing first row transition metal catalysts that have applications in renewable energy research and catalysis. Furthermore, we aim to apply what is learned from homogeneous catalysis toward developing heterogeneous materials for these reactions. Addressing these problems requires a multidisciplinary approach at the interface of inorganic, physical, materials, and synthetic chemistry. Currently, there are 13 undergraduates working on five projects: 1) Developing new iron complexes for the electrocatalytic reduction of protons in aqueous solutions, 2) Developing first row transition metal electrocatalysts that are easily synthesized from inexpensive ligand precursors for use in hydrogen generation and carbon dioxide reduction, 3) Immobilizing catalysts and chromophores on semiconductors to develop a heterogeneous systems for hydrogen evolution, 4) Developing catalysts for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction, and 5) Developing fluorescent sensors for the detection of heavy and transition metal ions in water. These projects are connected by my interest in developing earth abundant complexes for renewable energy applications such as hydrogen generation (part of artificial photosynthesis) and oxygen reduction (for hydrogen fuel cells).
