Researchers have captured the rapid motions of solvent molecules that impact light-driven electron transfer in a molecular complex for the first time. Greg Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Researchers have captured the rapid motions of solvent molecules that impact light-driven electron transfer in a molecular complex for the first time. Greg Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory - Light-absorbing molecules can transform photons into electricity or fuels by shuttling electrons from one atom to another. In many cases the molecules are surrounded by a solvent - such as water, in the case of the electron shuttling that underlies photosynthesis - and studies have shown that the solvent plays an important role in these electron transfers. But measuring the motions of solvent molecules to find out how they influence the process has been difficult. In a study published Feb. 15 , a research team led by Munira Khalil , professor and chair of chemistry at the University of Washington, has captured the rapid motions of solvent molecules that impact light-driven electron transfer in a molecular complex for the first time. This information could help researchers learn how to control energy flow in molecules, potentially leading to more efficient clean energy sources.
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