How Structure Affects Charge Dynamics and Photocatalysis in Nanoplatelets
Nahadi Munoz, Arun Somasundaram
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Faculty Supervisor: Michael Enright
To transition toward a more sustainable energy future, we must develop materials that can efficiently convert and manipulate sunlight. This project advances photocatalysis through the synthesis of quantum dots, semiconductor materials that have tunable electronic and optical properties. Controlling monolayer thickness and particle size enables precise tuning of quantum confinement, which directly influences light absorption, emission, and exciton dynamics. Using spectroscopic tools such as UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence, and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), we study how structural changes affect charge carrier lifetimes and overall solar conversion efficiency.
Nanoplatelets, a class of two-dimensional semiconductor nanocrystals, offer distinct advantages for photocatalysis due to their anisotropic, non-spherical geometry and atomically controlled thickness. Their extended lateral dimensions, combined with ultrathin thickness, provide a substantially larger surface-to-volume ratio compared to spherical nanocrystals. This enlarged surface increases the number of accessible active sites for catalytic reactions and enhances interfacial charge transfer, which can help reduce recombination and promote more effective separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. Together, these structural and electronic characteristics make nanoplatelets promising materials for improving photocatalytic performance.