Fumiaki Amano

Development of electrochemical reduction process for selective oxidation of hydrocarbons with oxygen

Researcher

Fumiaki Amano

Outline

The aim of this study is developing an energy-saving process for the production of value-added chemicals. We focus on an electrochemical method for selective oxidation of hydrocarbons with molecular oxygen, which has been difficult to control until now. Active oxygen species promoting oxygen atom insertion into hydrocarbons would be generated by electrochemical reduction of molecular oxygen. The electron donor should be water rather than hydrogen. This innovative reaction technology will be achieved by a combination of catalytic and electrochemical approaches with chemical engineering approach controlling mass transfer and separation.

Ken Albrecht

Active control of chemical reactions via electric field induced orbital deformation

Researcher

Ken Albrecht

Outline

Applying large external electric field to a molecule will result in the deformation of the molecular orbital. In this research, 1. The reactivity change of molecules through orbital deformation will be investigated, and 2. A method to apply a strong electric field to large number (mole scale) of molecules by utilizing nanogap electrodes will be developed. This will lead to establish a new methodology to actively control a chemical reaction with external electric field.

Shinsuke Inagi

Development of wireless electrolytic reaction systems driven by external electric fields

Researcher

Shinsuke Inagi

Outline

This research focuses on the development of environmentally friendly organic electrosynthetic systems based on split bipolar electrodes, where electricity can be monitored. Various organic electrosynthetic reactions are investigated in low concentration of supporting electrolytes, in addition to analytical and simulation studies.

Emiko Kazuma

Control of plasmon-induced chemical reaction by controlling molecular interfaces

Researcher

Emiko Kazuma

Outline

Localized surface plasmon (LSP) of metal nanostructures excited with light has been expected as a highly efficient way to convert light energy to chemical energy. This research obtains fundamental knowledge for the design of plasmonic catalysts providing efficient reaction pathways. The reaction pathways and mechanism of plasmon-induced chemical reactions are controlled by controlling the interface between molecules and metals. Furthermore, the control of the plasmon-induced reactions will be achieved on the basis of investigating the elementary process of the reactions at a single-molecule level.

Tatsuya Kameyama

Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Hetero-Nanoparticle via Quantum Cutting

Researcher

Tatsuya Kameyama

Outline

Photocatalysis, which converts light energy into chemical energy in fuel, has been attracted much attention, and improvement of their reaction efficiency has been extensively studied. In this research, I will demonstrate the new photocatalytic reaction using quantum cutting process (multiple exciton generation) peculiar to quantum dots. By using photoelectrochemical cell, ultra-high efficiency reaction with external quantum efficiency exceeding 100% at high energy irradiation will be approached. This will be achieved by formation of hetero junction in single semiconductor nanoparticle, which will separate the multiple exciton generated in the photocatalysts via type-II electronic energy structure at the hetero-interface.

Masaaki Kitano

Development of ammonia synthesis catalysts activated by photoexcitation of hydride ions

Researcher

Masaaki Kitano

Outline

The objective of this research is to develop a new ammonia synthesis catalyst that works under milder conditions than the conventional ammonia synthesis process. In this catalytic system, photoexcitation of hydride ions in hydride materials is a key step to realize N2 activation under mild conditions. I will develop the new catalyst containing hydride material and metal nanoparticles to lower the temperature and pressure of ammonia synthesis process.

Kosuke Suzuki

Creation of multielectron/proton transfer catalysts based on metal oxide clusters

Researcher

Kosuke Suzuki

Outline

In order to produce storable chemical energy and useful carbon resources by using visible light and/or electronic energy, this research develops novel metal oxide cluster capable of multi-electron/proton transfer reactions. Based on the design of catalysts showing new reactivity and selectivity, this research realized difficult oxidation/reduction reactions.

Yasufumi Takahashi

Development of nanoscale electrocehmical imaging techmique

Researcher

Yasufumi Takahashi

Outline

I will develop four types of scanning probe microscopies for visualizing and understanding nanoscale electrochemical reaction of catalysts and electricity storage materials. By using these probe microscopies, I will visualize and control of local catalytic activity, understand of ion and hole conduction related chemical reactions, image ionic profile in solution, and develop the elemental technologies for local electrochemical measurement.

ATSUHIRO TANAKA

Development of electron transfer- and chemoselectivity- controllable plasmonic photocatalyst for substrate conversion reactions

Researcher

ATSUHIRO TANAKA

Outline

Surface plasmon resonance of metal nanoparticles has been applied to photocatalyst under widely visible light. This study aims at the development and design of electron transfer-controllable plasmonic photocatalysts for substrate conversion reactions. In addition, the goal of this research is the improvement of substrate- and functional group-selectivity by control of electron transfer.

Kenji Hirai

Control of Chemical Reaction by Rabi Slitting

Researcher

Kenji Hirai

Outline

How chemical reactions are influenced by molecular vibration is a long-standing question across fundamental physics and chemistry. Coupling of molecular vibration with the optical modes of a microcavity generates new polaritonic states in the infrared region. This phenomenon will be planted into the field of chemical synthesis, resulting in development of a new methodology to manipulate chemical reactions.

Taniyuki Furuyama

Development and Control of Near-IR Light Promoted Reaction Processes

Researcher

Taniyuki Furuyama

Outline

This project focuses on organic reaction processes with near-infrared (near-IR) light. Sunlight is a powerful and sustainable source for organic reaction processes, and visible light promoted organic reactions have been attracted in recent years. An absorption and excitation of a catalyst are required for proceeding the reaction. However, substrates absorbing in the visible light (visible light materials) can not apply to such reactions because both catalyst and substrate absorb the light simultaneously. To overcome this problem, catalysts absorbing near-IR light, which does not interact with visible light materials, are designed by the functionalization of azaporphyrin derivatives. This process may be a novel strategy for late-stage functionalization of visible light materials.