Prof. Jochen Feldmann and Dr. Frank Jäckel, Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU)

Project:
Global warming, limited supplies of fossil fuels, and decreasing acceptance of nuclear energy make it necessary to efficiently tap into renewable energy sources employing abundant and non-toxic materials. Solar energy will play a central role and can be harvested via solar cells or photocatalytic systems for hydrogen generation. In this context, hybrid nanomaterials offer novel opportunities. Recently, we demonstrated photocatalytic hydrogen generation using colloidal Pt-decorated CdS nanorods.^1,2 Furthermore, we develop synthetic methods for abundant non-toxic materials.^3,4 The focus of this work will be hybrid nanomaterials for renewable energies. Photocatalytic nanosystems shall be investigated with respect to size, coverage, and nature of the catalyst and its relation to photocatalytic activity and charge carrier dynamics. The application of abundant non-toxic materials in photovoltaics and photocatalysis shall be explored.

Required Skills:
The successful candidate is expected to be a highly motivated individual with a background in physics, physical chemistry or material science. He/she will work with a team in a stimulating, collaborative environment with state-of-the-art equipment. Experience in (laser) spectroscopy is desirable.
Experimental techniques may include
• Sample preparation in the chemistry lab
• Absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy
• Time-resolved laser spectroscopy (photoluminescence and pump-probe)
• Scanning probe microscopy
• Electron microscopies

Literature:
1. M. Berr, A. Vaneski, A. S. Susha, J. Rodríguez-Fernández, M. Döblinger, F. Jäckel, A. L. Rogach, J. Feldmann
Colloidal CdS nanorods decorated with subnanometer sized Pt clusters for photocatalytic hydrogen generation.
Appl. Phys. Lett. 97, 093108 (2010).
2. M. Berr, A. Vaneski, C. Mauser, S. Fischbach, A.S. Susha, A.L. Rogach, F. Jäckel, J. Feldmann
Delayed Photoelectron Transfer in Pt-Decorated CdS Nanorods under Hydrogen Generation Conditions.
Small (in press).doi:10.1002/smll. 201101317
3. W. Li, M. Döblinger, A. Vaneski, A.L. Rogach, F. Jäckel, J. Feldmann
Pyrite nanocrystals: shape controlled synthesis and tunable optical properties via reversible self-assembly.
J. Mater. Chem.21, 17946-17952 (2011).
4. I. Kriegel, J. Rodríguez-Fernández, E. Da Como, A. Lutich, J. Szeifert, J. Feldmann
Tuning the Light Absorption of Cu1.97S Nanocrystals in Supercrystal Structures.
Chem. Mater. 23, 1830(2011).

More information about the group:
Prof. Feldmann's website