Mathias Micheel | Researcher

The combination of CdSe nanoparticles as photosensitizers with [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimics is known to result in efficient systems for light-driven hydrogen generation with reported turnover numbers in the order of 104–106. Nevertheless, little is known about the details of the light-induced charge-transfer processes. Here, we investigate the time scale of light-induced electron transfer kinetics for a simple model system consisting of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) of 2.0 nm diameter and a simple [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimic adsorbed to the QD surface under noncatalytic conditions. Our (time-resolved) spectroscopic investigation shows that both hot electron transfer on a sub-ps time scale and band-edge electron transfer on a sub-10 ps time scale from photoexcited QDs to adsorbed [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimics occur. Fast recombination via back electron transfer is observed in the absence of a sacrificial agent or protons which, under real catalytic conditions, would quench remaining holes or could stabilize the charge separation, respectively.

The implementation of a self-healing functionality into materials has become a prevalent approach for materials which require long-term reliability. As of today, the restoration of mechanical properties has dominated the research on self-healing materials, whereas research on healing of other functionalities (e.g., conductivity or optical properties) is still in its infancy. Here, the first conjugated polymer, which can restore its optical properties after photodamage is reported. The proposed self-healing mechanism relies on a thermally triggered imine metathesis between the conjugated polymer and additional macromolecular healing agents with no catalyst needed.

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, in particular cadmium and lead chalcogenide particles, are pivotal materials in many optoelectronic applications. While synthetic advances in the past decades now allow precise control of their size, shape, and composition, they must be processed from dispersion into functional films for many applications, which presents additional challenges. In this review, recent progresses in the field of nanoparticle self-assembly into functional thin films with precise control over nanoparticle order and orientation are discussed. A comprehensive overview on characterization methods used in the study of such ordered materials is provided and the gas–liquid interfacial self-assembly and electric field driven deposition as the two most promising ways to generate superstructures with defined thickness, order, and orientation are discussed. The superstructure–property relationships are then reviewed with emphasis on charge migration through the film and radiative processes. Last, challenges and open questions in the field are addressed.