Diamond photochemistry with visible light

Contributors:   Jonathon Barkl, Anna M.Zaniewski, Franz Koeck, and Robert J. Nemanich

ABSTRACT

This project demonstrates diamond-based photochemistry using visible light. Diamond has the unique property of having a widely tunable electrochemical surface, with hydrogen terminated diamond known to have a negative electron affinity. This property enables the emission of electrons from the surface of the diamond. In this work, electrons are emitted into an aqueous solution, creating a reservoir of free, solvated electrons, that can be used to initiate energy intensive chemical reactions. We demonstrate that visible light incident on thin films of diamond on molybdenum substrates can be used to reduce nitrogen gas to ammonia via the photogenerated electrons.

Publisher: Diamond and Related Materials,   Volume: 96,   195–197 ||  Published: 2019-05 ||   PDF (425.74 KB) ||   Read More...