PhD Studentship "Inorganic Chemistry and Photochemistry for Solar Energy Conversion and Photochemical Devices"

Chemistry

University of Sheffield

Subjects: Chemistry

Sun is the major source of sustainable energy on our Planet. The use of solar energy relies on three steps - harvest (absorption of light) - storage - retrieval (including photocatalysis). The key intermediate in this process is charge-separated excited state which is formed upon absorption of light. Stabilisation of this state is pivotal for development of efficient artificial systems.

Our group develops transition metal complexes which target the key steps above. The compounds absorb visible light efficiently, are capable of creating charge-separated excited state, and can be coupled to photocatalytic systems. We are currently optimising the stability of charge separated state in Pt(II) complexes with extended organic ligands - teh 100-fold increase of the lifetime has already been achieved!

We interrogate the excited states by using time-resolved emission, absorption, and vibrational spectroscopies, on the timescales from pico-to millisecond.

Accordingly, the project combines coordination/organometallic synthesis with time-resolved spectroscopy. Training will be provided by the members of the group on all aspects of the work; and the balance between synthesis&spectroscopy depends on your interests and future plans.
You will have a chance to learn the best of both worlds.

We collaborate with Rutherford Appleton Laboratory - the UK National Facility hosting world-leading time-resolved equipment, and with many groups abroad, including USA, Germany, and Switzerland. You will get a chance to learn different skills from taking part in those collaborations, attending international conferences and presenting your results to various audiences. Please feel free to contact Dr Julia Weinstein with any questions, and come
and visit our enthusiastic group!

Dr. Julia A. Weinstein
Lecturer and EPSRC Advanced Research Fellow
tel. +44 (0) 114 222 9408
fax: +44 (0) 114 2229346
Julia.Weinstein@Sheffield.ac.uk
http://www.shef.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/profiles/weinstein.html

Study information

Qualification:: PhD
Study duration:: 3 years
Study mode:: FT
Entry requirements:: Undergraduate degree in Chemistry
Language requirements:: Open to UK students only

Funding information

Funder:: EPSRC
Funding applies to:: UK applicants only
Funding notes:: All fees are covered, and the salary is at a standard EPSRC funding rate, ie £12,900 for 2008/2009.
Funding duration:: 3 years

Contacts and how to apply

Academic contact:

Dr. Julia A. Weinstein
Lecturer and EPSRC Advanced Research Fellow
Department of Chemistry
University of Sheffield
Sheffield S3 7HF
United Kingdom

tel. +44 (0) 114 222 9408
fax: +44 (0) 114 2229346
Julia.Weinstein@Sheffield.ac.uk

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Mrs Elaine Fisher
Tel: 0114 222 9319 (international +44 114 222 9319)
Fax: 0114 222 9346 (international +44 114 222 9346
email : postgrad-chemistry@sheffield.ac.uk

0114 http://www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply