Prof. Cynthia Schauer (UNC Chapel Hill)
Event Date:
February 17, 2014 – 4:00 PM to February 18, 2014 – 4:59 PM
Location:
Burson 115
Event Date:
February 17, 2014 – 4:00 PM to February 18, 2014 – 4:59 PM
Location:
Burson 115
Seminar Series
Spring 2014
Prof. Cynthia Schauer
Department of Chemistry
UNC Chapel Hill
“Pathways to Metal-Mediated CO2 Reduction:
Experimental and Computational Studies”
Abstract:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an abundant feedstock for solar fuels, capable of producing a wide range of carbonbased fuels, including CO, syngas (CO/H2), and formic acid as well as more reduced forms such as methanol or methane. As part of the UNC Energy Frontier Research Center for Solar Fuels, we have been investigating intermediates along the pathway to CO2 reduction in ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(L2)2(CO)2]2+ and related systems to better understand the role they play in the overall CO2 reduction process, and using computational methods to elucidate the electronic factors in play that govern the stability of these species. We will present our results in the context of the overall goal of the UNC-EFRC, i.e., the production of a functional Dye-Sensitized Photoelectrosynthesis Cell (DSPEC).
BIO:
Dr. Schauer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to her appointment at UNC-CH, she conducted postdoctoral work with Prof. Duward F. Shriver at Northwestern University (1985-88) and received a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Colorado State University (1985), where she also completed her undergraduate degree (B.S., 1982). Her research interests are centered on the synthesis and spectroscopic, computational, and electrochemical characterization of multimetallic complexes capable of mediating carbon dioxide reduction reactions. She is a member of the of the CO2 reduction and theory teams of the UNC-EFRC.
Monday, February 17, 2014 @ 4:00 PM in Burson 115