Abstract:

The G. F. Moore research group is advancing the molecular sciences required to build fundamentally interesting and use-inspired chemical constructs. This seminar presentation will highlight experimental results and kinetic models showcasing the interplay between light absorption, charge transfer, and catalytic activity in molecular-modified semiconductors, where—in addition to chemical substrates— electrons and photons are required reagents. The assemblies used in this work resemble components of biological systems that carry out analogous photoelectrochemical processes. Thus, nature provides inspiration and design considerations for the chemistries Moore’s team is developing.
Moore is a National Science Foundation CAREER Awardee, a Department of Energy Early Career Awardee, a Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awardee, a National Academy of Sciences Kavli Foundation Fellow, and has been recognized as an “outstanding chemist with Native American heritage” by the National Science Foundation.

References:

• Nishikori, D.; Menzel, J. P.; Armada, N.; Reyes Cruz, E. A.; Nannenga, B. L.; Batista, V. S.; Moore, G. F. Breaking a Molecular Scaling Relationship using an Iron-Iron Fused Porphyrin Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024 146, 11622-11633.
• Reyes Cruz, E. A.; Nishiori, D.; Wadsworth, B. L.; Nguyen, N. P.; Hensleigh, L. K.; Khusnutdinova, D.; Beiler, A. M.; Moore, G. F. Molecular-Modified Photocathodes for Applications in Artificial Photosynthesis and Solar-to-Fuel Technologies. Chem. Rev. 2022, 122, 16051-16109.
• Nishiori, D.; Wadsworth, B. L.; Moore, G. F. Parallels Between Enzyme Catalysis, Electrocatalysis, and Photoelectrosynthesis. Chem Catalysis 2021, 1, 978-996.
• Nguyen, N. P.; Wadsworth, B. L.; Nishiori, D.; Reyes Cruz, E. A.; Moore, G. F. Understanding and Controlling the Performance-Limiting Steps of Catalyst-Modified Semiconductors. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2021, 12, 199-203.
• Wadsworth, B. L.; Beiler, A. M.; Khusnutdinova, D.; Reyes Cruz, E. A.; Moore, G. F. Interplay between Light Flux, Quantum Efficiency, and Turnover Frequency in Molecular-Modified Photoelectrosynthetic Assemblies. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 15932-15941.
• Khusnutdinova, D.; Wadsworth, B. L.; Flores, M.; Beiler, A. M.; Reyes Cruz, E. A.; Zenkov, Y.; Moore, G. F. Electrocatalytic Properties of Binuclear Cu(II) Fused Porphyrins for Hydrogen Evolution. ACS Catal. 2018, 8, 9888-9898.
• Further information on the Moore’s research program is available at: gfmoorelab.com