Electrochemical Interfaces at Play

Abstract: The research aimed at understanding of electrochemical interfaces will be presented, along with its impact on the design and synthesis of materials that are employed in electrochemical systems for energy conversion and storage. The key physical parameters that are responsible for functional properties of solid-aqueous, solid-organic and solid-solid electrochemical interfaces will be discussed.

Thermal Analysis and Paired Advanced Characterization to Probe the Degradation Mechanism of Advanced Nuclear Fuels

Abstract

Elucidating simple chemistries and complex environments

In this talk, I will discuss some of our recent efforts to understand how simple reactions that rearrange charge are altered when embedded in complex, fluctuating environments. In the first part, I show how liquid-vapor interfaces can modulate aqueous chemistry. Specifically, I will discuss how the facile charge separation of N2O5 occurring via interfacial hydrolysis leads to efficient gaseous uptake into aqueous atmospheric aerosols, offering an irreversible sink of NOx compounds in the nighttime air.

TBD [POSTPONED]

Unexpected observations in molten fluoride salts and their relevance to salt-cooled and salt-fueled nuclear reactors

Electrify inorganic and organic synthesis

Electrochemical synthesis is a powerful tool for formulating functional materials and molecules because it offers an additional level of control over the synthesis relative to its chemical counterpart by fine-tuning mass transfer, potential, or current.

Postponed

Creating the Building Blocks of Quantum Materials

Investigating New Reactivities Enabled by Polariton Chemistry

The quantum light-matter interactions between the molecule and the quantized radiation mode inside an optical cavity create a set of hybridized electronic-photonic states, so-called polaritons, opening up new possibilities to control chemical reactions by exploiting intrinsic quantum behaviors of light-matter interactions.

In this talk, I'll present our recent investigations on new chemical reactivities enabled by cavity quantum electrodynamics and demonstrate detailed mechanisms of how quantized light-matter interactions can change the outcomes of chemical reactions.

Protein Electronics

Abstract: Proteins are remarkably good electronic conductors, if contacted by chemical bonds to electrodes that allow for injection of electrons or holes into their hydrophobic interior. They outperform the best of synthetic "molecular wires" by a large margin. In contrast, hydrated peptides are better insulators than alkane chains.

Linking Comprehensive VOC Measurements, Secondary Pollutant Formation, and Highly Parameterized Air Quality Models

Abstract: Tropospheric chemistry and air quality are strongly influenced by source emissions. In the western US, much attention has been focused on the air quality impacts of wildland fires; and recently, changes in air quality associated with COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions. Fires emit high levels of trace gases, including semi-volatile and volatile organic compounds (S/VOCs); and primary (directly emitted) particulate matter (PM). During plume evolution, S/VOCs react to form ozone (O3) and secondary PM, thereby degrading air quality downwind.

UCI Department of Chemistry

Physical Seminar