Vickie McKee

Bio: Vickie McKee is an academic researcher from University of Southern Denmark. The author has contributed to research in topics: Crystal structure & Hydrogen bond. The author has an hindex of 46, co-authored 391 publications receiving 8514 citations. Previous affiliations of Vickie McKee include Queen's University Belfast & Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies.

Nanostructured α-Fe2O3 Thin Films for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation

Abstract: α-Fe2O3 thin film photoelectrodes were fabricated by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) using a new hexanuclear iron precursor [Fe6(PhCOO)10(acac)2(O)2(OH)2]·3C7H8 (1) (where PhCOO = benzoate and acac = 2,4-pentanedionate). The precursor (1) designed for AACVD has a low decomposition temperature and sufficient solubility in organic solvents and was synthesized by simple chemical techniques in high yield. It was characterized by melting point, FT-IR, X-ray crystallography, and thermogravimetry (TGA). The TGA analysis proved that complex (1) undergoes facile thermal decomposition at 475 °C to give iron oxide residue. In-house designed AACVD equipment was used to deposit highly crystalline thin films of α-Fe2O3 on fluorine-doped SnO2 coated glass substrates at 475 °C in a single step. The material properties were characterized by XRD, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy, and the results confirmed that films were highly crystalline α-Fe2O3 and free from other phases of iron oxide. Further analysis of ...

Hemocyanin models: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of a binucleating copper(II) system

Abstract: Etude des structures cristallines du complexe acetate ferromagnetique [Cu 2 (L-Et)(OAc)][ClO 4 ] 2 et du complexe azoturo diamagnetique [Cu 2 (L-Et)(N 3 )](BF 4 ) 2 , HL-Et etant le coordinat heptadente N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(ethyl-1 benzimidazolyl-2) hydroxy-2 diamino-1,3 propane

Further insight into magnetostructural correlations in binuclear copper(II) species related to methemocyanin: x-ray crystal structure of 1,2-.mu.-nitrito complex

Abstract: Determination de la structure de [Cu 2 (L-Et)(NO 2 )] [ClO 4 ] avec HL-Et=N,N,N'N'-tetrakis-([ethyl-1 benzimidazolyl]-2) hydroxy-2 diamino-1,3 propane

Molecular methods for assessment of non-covalent metallodrug–DNA interactions

Abstract: The binding of small molecule metallodrugs to discrete regions of nucleic acids is an important branch of medicinal chemistry and the nature of these interactions, allied with sequence selectivity, forms part of the backbone of modern medicinal inorganic chemistry research. In this tutorial review we describe a range of molecular methods currently employed within our laboratories to explore novel metallodrug-DNA interactions. At the outset, an introduction to DNA from a structural perspective is provided along with descriptions of non-covalent DNA recognition focusing on intercalation, insertion, and phosphate binding. Molecular methods, described from a non-expert perspective, to identify non-covalent and pre-associative nucleic acid recognition are then demonstrated using a variety of techniques including direct (non-optical) and indirect (optical) methods. Direct methods include: X-ray crystallography; NMR spectroscopy; mass spectrometry; and viscosity while indirect approaches detail: competitive inhibition experiments; fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy; circular dichroism; and electrophoresis-based techniques. For each method described we provide an overview of the technique, a detailed examination of results obtained and relevant follow-on of advanced biophysical/analytical techniques. To achieve this, a selection of relevant copper(ii) and platinum(ii) complexes developed within our laboratories are discussed and are compared, where possible, to classical DNA binding agents. Applying these molecular methods enables us to determine structure-activity factors important to rational metallodrug design. In many cases, combinations of molecular methods are required to comprehensively elucidate new metallodrug-DNA interactions and, from a drug discovery perspective, coupling this data with cellular responses helps to inform understanding of how metallodrug-DNA binding interactions manifest cytotoxic action.

Geometric control of manganese redox state

Abstract: Comparison of the structures of four monomanganese (and one monoiron) complexes of ligands with the identical donor [N3(O–)3] set reveals that geometry determines the redox state of the cation.

Solar Water Splitting: Progress Using Hematite (α‐Fe2O3) Photoelectrodes

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells offer the ability to convert electromagnetic energy from our largest renewable source, the Sun, to stored chemical energy through the splitting of water into molecular oxygen and hydrogen. Hematite (α-Fe(2)O(3)) has emerged as a promising photo-electrode material due to its significant light absorption, chemical stability in aqueous environments, and ample abundance. However, its performance as a water-oxidizing photoanode has been crucially limited by poor optoelectronic properties that lead to both low light harvesting efficiencies and a large requisite overpotential for photoassisted water oxidation. Recently, the application of nanostructuring techniques and advanced interfacial engineering has afforded landmark improvements in the performance of hematite photoanodes. In this review, new insights into the basic material properties, the attractive aspects, and the challenges in using hematite for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting are first examined. Next, recent progress enhancing the photocurrent by precise morphology control and reducing the overpotential with surface treatments are critically detailed and compared. The latest efforts using advanced characterization techniques, particularly electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, are finally presented. These methods help to define the obstacles that remain to be surmounted in order to fully exploit the potential of this promising material for solar energy conversion.