Gerald J. Meyer

Bio: Gerald J. Meyer is an academic researcher from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The author has contributed to research in topics: Electron transfer & Racism. The author has an hindex of 64, co-authored 373 publications receiving 16534 citations. Previous affiliations of Gerald J. Meyer include United States Naval Academy & 3M.

Photodriven heterogeneous charge transfer with transition-metal compounds anchored to TiO2 semiconductor surfaces

Abstract: A critical review of light-driven interfacial charge-transfer reactions of transition-metal compounds anchored to mesoporous, nanocrystalline TiO2 (anatase) thin films is described. The review highlights molecular insights into metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states, mechanisms of interfacial charge separation, inter- and intra-molecular electron transfer, and interfacial charge-recombination processes that have been garnered through various spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The relevance of these processes to optimization of solar-energy-conversion efficiencies is discussed (483 references).

Molecular approaches to the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide for solar fuels

Abstract: The scientific community now agrees that the rise in atmospheric CO2, the most abundant green house gas, comes from anthropogenic sources such as the burning of fossil fuels. This atmospheric rise in CO2 results in global climate change. Therefore methods for photochemically transforming CO2 into a source of fuel could offer an attractive way to decrease atmospheric concentrations. One way to accomplish this conversion is through the light-driven reduction of carbon dioxide to methane (CH4(g)) or methanol (CH3OH(l)) with electrons and protons derived from water. Existing infrastructure already supports the delivery of natural gas and liquid fuels, which makes these possible CO2 reduction products particularly appealing. This Account focuses on molecular approaches to photochemical CO2 reduction in homogeneous solution. The reduction of CO2 by one electron to form CO2•− is highly unfavorable, having a formal reduction potential of −2.14 V vs SCE. Rapid reduction requires an overpotential of up to 0.6 V, du...

Electron transport in porous nanocrystalline tio2 photoelectrochemical cells

Abstract: The photocurrent response of dye-sensitized, porous nanocrystalline TiO2 cells was studied as a function of light intensity, in both the time domain (photocurrent transient measurements) and the frequency domain (intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy). The photocurrent transients are characterized by a fast and a slow component. The rise time of the transients was in the range of milliseconds to seconds and exhibited a power law dependence on light intensity with an exponent of −0.6 to −0.8. The response to a modulated light intensity is characterized by a depressed semicircle in the complex plane. The time constant obtained from these spectra exhibits the same power law dependence on light intensity. The transient response of these cells is dominated by electron transport in the TiO2 film, and the results are shown to be consistent with a diffusion model where the diffusion coefficient for electrons in the particle network is a function of the light intensity.

Enhanced spectral sensitivity from ruthenium(ii) polypyridyl based photovoltaic devices

Abstract: The authors study photovoltaic energy conversion with electrodes coated with the novel ruthenium polypyridyl compounds, cis-[4,4{prime}-(CO{sub 2}H)-2,2{prime}-bipyridine]{sub 2}Ru(X){sub 2} and cis-[5,5{prime}-(CO{sub 2}H){sub 2}-2,2{prime}-bipyridine]{sub 2}Ru(X){sub 2} (X = Cl{sup {minus}}, CN{sup {minus}}, SCN{sup {minus}}). The efficiency and mechanism of photocurrent production for these electrodes is discussed.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) offer the possibilities to design solar cells with a large flexibility in shape, color, and transparency. DSC research groups have been established around the worl ...

Porphyrin-Sensitized Solar Cells with Cobalt (II/III)–Based Redox Electrolyte Exceed 12 Percent Efficiency

Abstract: The iodide/triiodide redox shuttle has limited the efficiencies accessible in dye-sensitized solar cells. Here, we report mesoscopic solar cells that incorporate a Co(II/III)tris(bipyridyl)–based redox electrolyte in conjunction with a custom synthesized donor-π-bridge-acceptor zinc porphyrin dye as sensitizer (designated YD2-o-C8). The specific molecular design of YD2-o-C8 greatly retards the rate of interfacial back electron transfer from the conduction band of the nanocrystalline titanium dioxide film to the oxidized cobalt mediator, which enables attainment of strikingly high photovoltages approaching 1 volt. Because the YD2-o-C8 porphyrin harvests sunlight across the visible spectrum, large photocurrents are generated. Cosensitization of YD2-o-C8 with another organic dye further enhances the performance of the device, leading to a measured power conversion efficiency of 12.3% under simulated air mass 1.5 global sunlight.