CataLysis – Joint Colloquium: Prof. Brandi Cossairt

We are very happy to welcome within the Joint Online Colloquium Series of the CataLysis network:

Prof. Brandi M. Cossairt
Department of Chemistry at the University of Washington
Associate Editor of Inorganic Chemistry (ACS)

Topic: “Interfacial Chemistry as an Enabling Tool in the Development of Solution Processed Nanomaterials for Catalysis”

We cordially invite all who are interested to the lecture!
The link to the video conference will be circulated within the CataLysis Network via E-Mail. 

Registration required for external attendees.
Registration will be open from one month before the event.

“Women in CataLysis Coffee Round” from 06:00 – 06:45 PM
Early-career scientists of CataLysis can join her for a “Women in CataLysis Coffee Round”, find out about her career and discuss her experiences as a successful woman in STEM.

Abstract:

Controlling the interfaces of materials alters their ability to transfer charge through inner-sphere active site control, by altering outer-sphere active site-substrate interactions, and through modulation of the electrochemical double layer. To leverage interfacial chemistry in the design of heterogeneous catalysts, we are developing new methods for the post-synthetic modification of solution-processed nanocrystals and nanostructured thin films. In this talk, ligand exchange, surface etching, covalent modification, and intercalation will be presented as complementary methods for altering the electrochemical activity of colloidal transition metal phosphide and dichalcogenide materials. A combination of electrochemical characterization, physical and electronic structure analysis, and computation will be presented. Together with stoichiometric probes of inner-sphere reactivity, these data reveal mechanistic details of charge transfer and catalysis in these systems. This work has led us to propose that the presence of diverse adsorption sites on transition metal phosphide surfaces may be leveraged for selective and efficient hydrogenation and electrochemical reduction reactions beyond hydrogen production, including nitrate reduction, which will also be discussed. Finally, if time permits, the development of new tools to measure photoinduced charge transfer from semiconductor nanocrystals will be highlighted.