Study of the Photocatalytic Mechanism of Hydrogen Production Using Metalloporphyrins

• Grant number: 24/23096-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Abner de Siervo
• Grantee: Igor Stein Weiler
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12929-3 - On-surface synthesis of tunable single layer low dimensional materials: understanding their chemical integrity, vibronic, electronic, and spin properties, AP.TEM

Abstract

In this undergrad student project, we will explore the formation of two-dimensional films of MOFs (metal-organic frameworks) using the precursor Pt(II) meso-Tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphine (Pt-TCPP). Recent results in the literature have shown the potential of these MOFs in photocatalytic hydrogen production. In the first phase, we will investigate the formation of the Pt-TCPP MOF on the Cu(111) surface using scanning electron tunneling microscopy (STM) to characterize the growth mechanism as a function of substrate temperature. In a subsequent step, we will use STM to visualize and map the precise configuration of the Pt-TCPP molecules already forming the MOF and how they interact with ethanol (with and without the presence of light). Following this light-induced process, STM will again be employed to examine the final structural state of post-reaction molecules, offering insights into catalytic reactions or structural changes resulting from the interaction of light with the sample and emission of H2.