PhD Student, Faculty of Science and Technology, Queensland University of Technology
Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic and Photocatalytic Application
BSc(Hons), QUT
After BSc at QUT I worked in project management for a prestressed concrete manufacturing plant in Brisbane. Eventually I hope to return to project management, wether in research or for design and commissioning of plant for manufacturing novel materials.
We investigate photocatalytic systems consisting of metal nanoparticles
deposited on larger metal oxide supporting particles prepared by Prof. Huai-Yong
Zhu’s Novel Materials group. These structures were designed to act as
catalysts under illumination by sunlight for breaking down volatile organic
compounds in air or water. Experimentally we are using a purpose built laser
system as well as Surfaced Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to characterise the
optical response of the catalytic systems and analyse the reaction process.
In terms of modelling we are attempting to achieve a comprehensive
understanding of the system through consideration of the thermodynamic,
electro-magnetic field and quantum aspects. Ultimately we hope to combine
this with a multi-scale diffusion model developed by Dr. Troy Farrell at QUT
so that we can optimise catalytic systems for particular reactions
Michael Larkins, Xi Chen, Huai-Yong Zhu, Xue-Bin Ke and Esa Jaatinen. 2009. In: Australian Optical Society. Photocatalysis using Au Nanoparticles. Australian Conference on Optics, Lasers, and Spectroscopy. Adelaide, Australia 29th November-3rd December 2009. The Australian Optical Society: Adelaide.