FY2010 - Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Director’s R&D Fund—
Science for Extreme Environment: Advanced Materials and Interfacial Processes for Energy
SCIENCE FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENT: ADVANCED MATERIALS
AND INTERFACIAL PROCESSES FOR ENERGY
05079
Supramacromolecular Assembly of Artificial Photoconversion Units
Hugh O’Neill, Kunlun Hong, and William T. Heller
Project Description
The goal of this project is to gain a molecular-level understanding of the design principles that support
and promote the assembly of an artificial photosynthetic unit for the conversion of light into electric or
chemical energy. A synthetic system is sought that is capable of self-assembly into a biomimetic
membrane structure and is able to incorporate functional catalytic units within a supra-macromolecular
structure. Synthetic electroactive block co-polymers can provide a biomimetic environment and selfassemble
into nanostructures with tunable phase morphology. Their functionality can be widely varied
through choice of monomers and polymerization reactions (e.g., incorporation of binding sites for
chromophores and catalysts). We propose to use photosynthetic proteins to understand the fundamental
principles of synthetic architectures suitable for solar energy applications. This will lead to an in-depth
understanding of the weak intermolecular forces that govern supramolecular assembly and result in a
block co-polymer system that can perform in a manner analogous to the natural photosynthetic
membrane. This project brings together ORNL’s recognized expertise in photosynthesis, polymer
synthesis, and neutron science. In addition, our collaboration with the Georgia Tech team (part of the
AtlantICC Alliance; http://www.atlanticcalliance.org/index.html), who have expertise in organic
photovoltaics, will further strengthen our ability to attract future funding in this area.
Mission Relevance
This project primarily deals with the control of molecular processes at interfaces. It is focused on
bioinspired molecular assemblies, novel nanoscale and self-assembled materials, self-repairing
conversion materials, and solar fuel concepts. The successful pursuit of this project will contribute to the
long-term strength and research objectives of the laboratory. At the end of this work we will have an indepth
understanding of the design principles required for the development of a membrane system for
artificial photoconversion applications. As this project primarily deals with the control of molecular
processes at interfaces, it addresses the solar energy research component of the Advanced Materials
Initiative. It will position this team to solicit funding through the DOE Basic Energy Sciences Solar
Energy Initiative and Materials Science and Engineering Division. In addition, the complementary nature
of the skill sets of the team members and the toolkit of experimental techniques developed during the
project will also grow other programs related to bioinspired materials research.
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