David Waldeck

Chemistry and Dynamics in the Condensed Phase. Professor Waldeck's research program uses methods of spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and microscopy to investigate primary processes in the condensed phase, which includes liquids, solids and liquid/solid interfaces. Current themes of his research are the fundamental understanding of electron transfer reactions, electron transport in supramolecular structures, and nanophotonics.

Solution Studies. His research program studies electron transfer processes experimentally in order to directly evaluate and improve theoretical models. Currently, his group is investigating how the electron transfer rate in semiconductor nanoparticle assemblies depends on energetic, geometric, and electrostatic features of the assemblies.  Other efforts are studying electron transfer between semiconductor nanoparticles and conjugated polymers and how it depends on the energetic, electrostatic, and chirality of the constituents. A major goal of these studies is to understand how the structural and energetic hierachy of nanometer scale assemblies can be manipulated to control the electron transfer.

Interfacial Charge Transfer. This effort probes charge transfer through monolayers and individual molecules by electrochemical and/or conducting probe methods. Previous work has used electrochemical studies to elucidate how the molecular properties (e.g., electronic character, chirality, and the nature of the molecule-electrode linkage) affect the observed tunneling barriers and molecular conductivities.  Current work is investigating how to manipulate the electronic and chemical nature of monolayer films to enhance the electronic interaction between a redox moiety and the electrode, with a particular focus on better understanding how to ‘wire’ biomolecules (proteins and oligonucleotides) to electrodes.

Nanophotonics. Technological breakthroughs in fabrication and characterization are allowing his group to probe the nature of light-matter interactions (photonics) for nanostructures and molecular assemblies. This work aims to develop a better understanding of the novel optical properties displayed by nanostructures and how to exploit them for applications in sensing and energy conversion.