As time continues, the need for alternative energy sources continues to grow. Hydrogen has a great potential to be the next generation fuel. Using a previously published system for Hydrogen production through catalytic water splitting as a basis, a nanocrystal composite was designed with a gold core and semiconductor shell to absorb visible light, which would allow the transfer of electrons to occur from the gold to the shell thus creating special charge separation. Significant charge separation within the nanocrystal must be maintained to have efficient catalysis. Au/CdS/CdSe nanocrytals were made and tested with methyl viologen, a model system that would show us there was a successful energy transfer when exposed to visible light. The purpose of this research was to improve the catalytic activity of metal semi-conductor nanocomposites in order to produce renewable clean energy in the form of Hydrogen gas.

Improving the catalytic activity of metal semiconductor nanocomposites

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.