Molecular adsorption on ZnO(1010) single-crystal surfaces: morphology and charge transfer.

While ZnO has excellent electrical properties, it has not been widely used for dye-sensitized solar cells, in part because ZnO is chemically less stable than widely used TiO(2). The functional groups typically used for surface passivation and for attaching dye molecules either bind weakly or etch the ZnO surface. We have compared the formation of molecular layers from alkane molecules with terminal carboxylic acid, alcohol, amine, phosphonic acid, or thiol functional groups on single-crystal zinc oxide (1010) surfaces.

Formation of self-assembled monolayers of π-conjugated molecules on TiO2 surfaces by thermal grafting of aryl and benzyl halides.

We demonstrate the formation of molecular monolayers of π-conjugated organic molecules on nanocrystalline TiO(2) surfaces through the thermal grafting of benzyl and aryl halides. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the reactivity of aryl and benzyl chlorides, bromides, and iodides with TiO(2) surfaces, along with controls consisting of nonhalogenated compounds. Our results show that benzyl and aryl halides follow a similar reactivity trend (I > Br > Cl >> H).

Chemically directed assembly of photoactive metal oxide nanoparticle heterojunctions via the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition "click" reaction.

Metal oxides play a key role in many emerging applications in renewable energy, such as dye-sensitized solar cells and photocatalysts. Because the separation of charge can often be facilitated at junctions between different materials, there is great interest in the formation of heterojunctions between metal oxides. Here, we demonstrate use of the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction, widely referred to as "click" chemistry, to chemically assemble photoactive heterojunctions between metal oxide nanoparticles, using WO(3) and TiO(2) as a model system.

A citric acid-derived ligand for modular functionalization of metal oxide surfaces via "click" chemistry.

Citric acid is a widely used surface-modifying ligand for growth and processing of a variety of nanoparticles; however, the inability to easily prepare derivatives of this molecule has restricted the development of versatile chemistries for nanoparticle surface functionalization. Here, we report the design and synthesis of a citric acid derivative bearing an alkyne group and demonstrate that this molecule provides the ability to achieve stable, multidentate carboxylate binding to metal oxide nanoparticles, while also enabling subsequent multistep chemistry via the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. The broad utility of this strategy for the modular functionalization of metal oxide surfaces was demonstrated by its application in the CuAAC modification of ZnO, Fe(2)O(3), TiO(2), and WO(3) nanoparticles.

Modular "click" chemistry for electrochemically and photoelectrochemically active molecular interfaces to tin oxide surfaces.

We demonstrate the use of "click" chemistry to form electrochemically and photoelectrochemically active molecular interfaces to SnO(2) nanoparticle thin films. By using photochemical grafting to link a short-chain alcohol to the surface followed by conversion to a surface azide group, we enable use of the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne [3 + 2] cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction, a form of "click" chemistry, on metal oxide surfaces. Results are shown with three model compounds to test the surface chemistry and subsequent ability to achieve electrochemical and photoelectrochemical charge transfer.

Catalytic C-O bond cleavage of 2-aryloxy-1-arylethanols and its application to the depolymerization of lignin-related polymers.

A ruthenium-catalyzed, redox neutral C-O bond cleavage of 2-aryloxy-1-arylethanols was developed that yields cleavage products in 62-98% isolated yield. This reaction is applicable to breaking the key ethereal bond found in lignin-related polymers. The bond transformation proceeds by a tandem dehydrogenation/reductive ether cleavage.