Date Awarded
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Chemistry
Advisor
William R McNamara
Committee Member
J.C. Poutsma
Committee Member
Christopher J Abelt
Abstract
Alternative energy sources need to be explored to prevent worsening impacts of climate change. Water splitting through artificial photosynthesis (AP) can produce hydrogen gas that can be used for energy. When hydrogen gas is burned to produce electricity, water is the only byproduct, making it a clean energy source. The reductive half reaction of AP to generate hydrogen consists of a catalyst, a photosensitizer, and a sacrificial electron donor. Established catalysts for hydrogen evolution integrate rare, expensive metals such as platinum, which would be unsustainable for scaling up photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Our group developed an iron-based catalyst capable of generating hydrogen photocatalytically with both pure and impure, natural water sources. Our group has also attempted to modify our photosensitizers to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production, but found that these adjustments are better suited for the fluorescence-based detection of toxic metals in water. High concentrations of toxic metals in drinking water are associated with health defects and premature deaths globally. Our modified photosensitizer can detect iron (III), palladium (II), aluminum (III), and molybdenum (V) below governmental regulatory limits. The modified photosensitizer shows potential in determining the safety of drinking water samples.
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.21220/s2-ydkp-wk96
Rights
© The Author
Recommended Citation
Mitchell, Amanda Catherine, "Iron Catalyst With Tetradentate Ligand For Electro- And Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution And Modified Photosensitizer For Toxic Metal Detection In Water" (2024). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. William & Mary. Paper 1717521854.
https://dx.doi.org/10.21220/s2-ydkp-wk96
