Incoming Fellow, affiliation:
11/2023-11/2025: Chemistry and Materials Science.
Spin polarized/engineered metal oxides as single atom photocatalysts.
Dr. Shanmugapriya Periyannan
The field of Single Atom Catalysis (SAC) using isolated single atoms (SA) as co-catalysts that are anchored on defective supports has rapidly grown due to its unique features like maximum atom utilization, increased optical response and enhanced surface reactivity. Herein, I propose to use spin-polarized (obtained by introduction of metal vacancies during
synthesis) metal oxides as supports to immobilize the SAs and expect overcoming of prevailing challenges like attaining controlled anchoring of SAs while augmenting the photocatalytic performance. Besides, the aim of this project will be to elucidate structure-property-activity relationship by exploring and optimizing the spin polarization of varying metal oxide supports, focusing on interpretation of band energy structure, charge carrier kinetics and tuning of the local coordination environment. The expected findings will enable deeper understanding of the complex relationships involved in forming exceptional photocatalytic systems.