Objective Research towards the development of sustainable energy sources focusses on minimising our negative impact on the Earth. Towards this end investigations into the exploitation of solar power as a clean source of energy are active across multiple scientific disciplines. One approach is to utilise water splitting catalysts to generate oxygen and combustible hydrogen gas from water. This task is often split into the two halves of the problem: the oxygen evolving and hydrogen evolving sides.This project aims at the development of a new class of hydrogen evolving catalysts based on mechanically interlocked rotaxane architectures. The advantages of the proposed catalysts include mechanical protection of the catalytic centre, prevention of ligand dissociation by virtue of mechanical bonding, and assembly of the multi-component architecture in a single, rapid, high-yielding step.Initially rotaxane ligands will be synthesised using the synthetically flexible, convergent, active template (AT) methodology followed by examination of their coordination chemistry with abundant and cheap cobalt. Subsequently these structures will be assessed for their catalytic behaviour using electrochemical techniques, with structural optimisation utilised to improve their activity. We will then append photosensitising units to imbue these systems with photocatalytic activity.This MSCA would allow me to develop my skills as an independent scientist, both in terms of capitalising on the skill set during my studies in New Zealand, combined with gaining new knowledge and practical abilities, as well as enhancing my supervisory, teaching, and project management skills. Furthermore, having obtained my tertiary education (including Ph.D.) overseas, the action would facilitate my reintegration into the European scientific community and provide Europe with a highly skilled, independent scientist ready to take up the challenge of an independent research position. Fields of science natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistrynatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisphotocatalysisnatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysiselectrocatalysisnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metals Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON Net EU contribution € 183 454,80 Address Highfield SO17 1BJ Southampton United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Hampshire and Isle of Wight Southampton Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
