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B40: Probing Structure and Dynamics with XUV and X-Ray Light: Chemical Dynamics in Molecular and Plasmonic Systems

103F

Sponsoring Units: DCPChair: Kelly Gaffney, SLAC - Natl Accelerator LabSession Tags:
  • Focus

Mon. March 4, 12:42 p.m. – 1:18 p.m. CST

103F

Light-induced electron transfer (ET) and proton-coupled electron-transfer (PCET) reactions are ubiquitous in chemistry, playing an important role in both natural and artificial solar energy conversion. To advance these applications, it is vital to achieve a molecular-level understanding of this important class of reactions. I will present investigations with time-resolved X-ray methods of light-triggered ET and PCET reactions in metal-based donor-acceptor complexes, with focus in considering explicitly the interaction of such molecular systems with the surrounding solvent.

As previously demonstrated, time-resolved X-ray solution scattering (XSS) can directly probe solvation dynamics and is uniquely sensitive to photoinduced changes in solute-solvent hydrogen bonding. Simultaneously, time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy can probe charge reorganization with element specificity as well as provide direct evidence of protonation. I have utilized these methods to capture ultrafast ET and coupled solvent reorganization in a tri-metallic mixed-valence complex in a series of solvent environments with varying hydrogen bonding ability. I will also show femtosecond XSS and N K-edge X-ray absorption data reporting on PCET in a Ru-polypyridyl complex in aqueous environment and coupled solvent reorganization. The experimental data will be shown together with theoretical models necessary to their interpretation, including molecular dynamics and time-dependent density functional theory calculations.   

Presented By

  • Elisa Biasin (PNNL)

Authors

  • Elisa Biasin (PNNL)