Photophysics and Photochemistry of Transition Metal Complexes with Applications to Sensors

University Of Virginia Main Campus, Charlottesville VA

Investigators

Abstract

The Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program of the Division of Chemistry, National Science Foundation, supports the work of Dr. James N. Demas of the Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, and Dr. Ben A. DeGraff of the Department of Chemistry, James Madison University, VA, which will explore fundamental and applied aspects of sensors and probes based on luminescent metal complexes. Specifically, new ligands, new metal complexes, and new polymer supports will be designed and synthesized in a rational manner to gain a fundamental understanding of the photophysics and photochemistry of the luminescent complexes, to examine the interactions between the sensor molecules and polymer supports, to test certain hypotheses, and to further enhance sensor performance. With the results from this study, the principal investigators will improve and enhance sensor performance designed to test for changes in pH and the presence of carbon dioxide. Several undergraduate students will be involved in this study at both institutions, and together with graduate students will receive unparalleled training in syntheses, reactivity, characterization, photochemistry and photophysics of new luminescent materials and polymer supports.