Charge transfer reactions at the interface of semi-conductor metal-oxides and solution play key roles in catalysis and energy conversion processes. Recent studies in our lab have shown that amine capped ZnO nanocrystals (NCs) dispersed in aprotic solvent are able to participate in proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions.  Photolysis of anaerobic ZnO colloids leads to reduction and protonation of the NCs, by the oxidation of ethanol. These reduced and protonated NCs quantitatively and rapidly transfer protons and electrons to hydrogen atom acceptors.We will present data from transient and stopped-flow UV-visible spectroscopy experiments that probe several factors that may affect the rate of PCET from these colloidal NCs. The importance of the nanoparticle size and therefore apparent reduction potential and the extent of nanoparticle reduction (the average number of electrons per NP) will be discussed.  The effect of the concentration of the amine capping ligands and therefore the ligand surface coverage will also be described in this presentation.

Factors affecting the rate of PCET from reduced colloidal ZnO

248th National Meeting (2014)

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