Barbara A. Harruff

Photoinduced electron transfers with carbon dots

The photoluminescence in carbon dots (surface-passivated small carbon nanoparticles) could be quenched efficiently by electron acceptor or donor molecules in solution, namely that photoexcited carbon dots are both excellent electron donors and excellent electron acceptors, thus offering new opportunities for their potential uses in light energy conversion and related applications.

Spontaneous Hydrogen Generation from Organic-Capped Al Nanoparticles and Water

The development of technologies that would lead toward the adoption of a hydrogen economy requires readily available, safe, and environmentally friendly access to hydrogen. This can be achieved using the aluminum-water reaction; however, the protective nature and stability of aluminum oxide is a clear detriment to its application. Here, we demonstrate the spontaneous generation of hydrogen gas from ordinary room-temperature tap water when combined with aluminum-oleic acid core-shell nanoparticles obtained via sonochemistry. The reaction is found to be near-complete (>95% yield hydrogen) with a tunable rate from 6.4x10(-4) to 0.01 g of H2/s/g of Al and to yield an environmentally benign byproduct. The potential of these nanoparticles as a source of hydrogen gas for power generation is demonstrated using a simple fuel cell with an applied load.

Photoluminescence Properties of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes, upon surface modification through defects-targeted functionalization, exhibit strongphotoluminescence in the visible and into the near-IR region. In this chapter, the general features andpolarization characteristics of the photoluminescence are highlighted, mechanistic issues addressed, andpotential applications explored. The similarities and differences between the defect-derived emission andthe bandgap fluorescence (emission from individualized single-walled carbon nanotubes) are also discussed.

Photoluminescent Carbon Nanomaterials: Properties and Potential Applications

Carbon nanoparticles and nanotubes upon surface passivation or modification via chemical functionalization exhibit strong photoluminescence in the visible and into the near-IR. In this Chapter, the general features and related optical characteristics of the photoluminescence are highlighted, mechanistic issues discussed, and their potential material and biomedical applications explored. For single-walled carbon nanotubes, the similarities and differences between the defect-derived emission and the band-gap fluorescence (emission from individualized single-walled carbon nanotubes) are also discussed.