Photochemistry and Spectroscopy

Photosynthesis exploits the photochemical conversion of light into chemical energy; colour perception derives the absorption and scattering of light of different wavelengths; all forms of luminescence derive from the relaxation of electronically excited states.

Our interests span the fundamentals of electronic spectroscopy and excited states to the photochemistry of metal complexes, dyads for photo-induced electron transfer, organic molecules, solid-state metal oxides and precursors to polysaccharides.

One of our great strengths is in-situ and time-resolved spectroscopies to study mechanisms and fundamental principles. Theory provides information about dynamics, the nature of reaction intermediates and of electronically excited states.

Our research has applications in solar fuels, photocatalysis, sunscreens, dyes, medicinal chemistry and catalysis.

Collaboration

Photochemistry and electronic spectroscopy are important themes that link researchers from across the Department of Chemistry and provide inspiration for collaborations with the Departments of Biology and Physics.

Staff