The Climate-Sustainability Lecture Series, hosted by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, will discuss the “Systematic Synthesis of Novel Water Oxidation Electrocatalysts: Exploring Clean Energy Sources” at its next talk.
Speaker: Raphael G. Raptis, Ph.D., professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Florida International University
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Noon–1:00 p.m.
Mailman-Hollywood Building | Second Floor Auditorium
The principle of microscopic reversibility teaches that the same catalyst catalyzes a reaction in both the forward and reverse directions. Inspired by the multi-copper catalysts employed by nature for the activation of O2 (to form H2O), researchers have been tuning some copper complexes toward water oxidation (to form O2). The electronic structure of the tri-nuclear and hexanuclear complexes has been probed by spectroelectrochemistry and theoretical calculations.
The ultimate goal of this project is to lower the redox potential required for water oxidation to a level that can be achieved by a photovoltaic cell. This will allow the use of abundant water as the source of hydrogen gas for use in hydrogen-fuel cells powering motor cars, ships, appliances, and other devices.
About the Lecture Series
The Climate-Sustainability Lecture Series highlights understanding of the science, technology, and policies relating to climate change and sustainable development. Experts in related fields from within NSU and other institutions are the featured speakers. The series provides faculty members and students the opportunity to discuss the scientific, technological, social, and policy aspects of sustainability-related issues.
For more information, contact Song Gao, Ph.D., associate professor at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, at (954) 262-8388.