PhD defense - Olivia Bird (Dukovic group)

Title: Influence of Binding on Charge and Energy Transfer in Semiconductor Nanocrystal – Molecule Complexes Abstact: Semiconductor nanocrystals are strong light absorbers with tunable optoelectronic properties. This makes them attractive candidates for photon energy conversion, such as directly converting photon energy into electricity in the form of quantum dot sensitized solar cells, or instead by converting photon energy into fuels via redox catalysis. This work explores two fundamental processes which underpin both of these applications: the extraction of charges and energy from an excited nanocrystal, and the extension of the charge separated state. In particular, this thesis seeks to understand how the binding between nanocrystals and molecular charge acceptors impacts the kinetics of charge transfer and recombination. In Chapter 2 we modify methyl viologen, a well-studied electron acceptor, by adding a phosphonate group to one end, which chemically binds to the quantum dot surfa...