Thomas Meyer

Research Interests

Solar energy conversion, Artificial Photosynthesis, solar fuels- hydrogen and oxygen by water splitting and reduction of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons, Proton Coupled Electron Transfer (PCET) with applications in chemistry, energy conversion, catalysis and biology, photophysics and photochemistry in thin films and at interfaces.

Professional Background

Ph.D.,Stanford University(1966); B.S., Ohio University(1963)

Research Synopsis

The most pressing issue facing mankind in the 21st century is creating a new energy future based on new energy sources, more efficient use of existing energy sources, and minimizing environmental impact. The ultimate renewable energy source is the sun with several approaches available for solar energy conversion. Two high risk, high reward approaches are solar fuels, with production of hydrogen and oxygen from water or reduction of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons, and high efficiency organic and composite thin film photovoltaic devices. These areas provide the basis for much of the current research, which is carried out largely in the UNC Energy Frontier Research Center on Solar Fuels.

• Synthesis of catalysts for water oxidation, carbon dioxide reduction and molecular assemblies for photochemical and photoelectrochemical energy conversion in collaboration with the Templeton research group.
• Mechanistic and electrochemical studies of water oxidation and CO₂ reduction in solution and on surfaces in collaboration with the Schauer group.
• Transient and steady state photophysical and photochemical investigations of electron and energy transfer in films, in solutions, and at interfaces in collaboration with the Papanikolas group.
• Integration of components for light absorption, electron transfer, and catalysis in molecular assemblies and at interfaces for applications in Artificial Photosynthesis.
• Development of oxide materials and interfaces for electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis

PCET, reactions in which both electrons and protons are transferred, plays an important role in catalysis and energy conversion in chemistry and biology. There are important examples in photosynthesis and respiration. PCET provides the basis for single electron activation of multi-electron transfer catalysis and simultaneous electron-proton transfer (EPT) is used to avoid high energy intermediates. We are exploring the role of PCET in three areas:

• Chemical models for oxidation of amino acids- cysteine, tyrosine, tryptophan- and guanine in DNA. This includes studies, in collaboration with the Thorp group, on model systems and analysis of the role of PCET in a large class of proteins the oxido-reductases and in neural disorders such as epilepsy.
• PCET in electrocatalysis and sensing including chemical modification of electrode surfaces in collaboration with the Yousaf group.
• PCET reactivity in molecular excited states including photo-driven reduction of CO₂ in collaboration with the Schauer group.