Name: Nina Kemnade
Diploma / M.Sc degree: Carl-von-Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Germany
(September 2012)

PhD Project: Interfacial charge transfer processes in nanocarbon-metal oxide hybrids

Abstract of Research Project

Nanocarbon-inorganic hybrids are a new class of materials, where the combination of metal oxides and sp² hybridized nanocarbons results in new properties due to synergistic effects, which commend them as potential multifunctional materials for use in various applications such as photocatalysis, batteries, and photovoltaics. In particular for photochemical applications, the performance of the materials is related, among others, to charge transfer processes between the two compounds. A typical scenario would be that electrons are excited via irradiation from the valence band of a semiconducting oxide into its conduction band and subsequently transferred to the nanocarbon material. Detailed understanding of the charge transport mechanism is crucial to further improve this charge separation and hence the photocatalytic properties. Therefore, in this research project I will investigate these interfacial processes with focus on kinetics, charge transport distances and electron-hole lifetimes by means of transient photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy. Key to these studies is a controlled modification of the hybrids’ interfaces, for which I will use atomic layer deposition (ALD) to deposit various layers of a conducting polymer and/or an insulating ceramic between the two compounds.