As climate change and population growth increase the demand for energy and clean water, research must be to alleviate the increased pressure on the energy-water nexus. In this work, two potential solutions to this problem were investigated: gold nanoparticles and Shewanella oneidensis. Monolayer protected gold nanoparticles have recently been proposed as possible components of improved photovoltaics as nanocapacitors. In order to effectively implement nanoparticles in this field, it is important to understand the electron transfer properties of a variety of protecting ligands. In this research, we determined the forward heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constant of wired organic-soluble and water-soluble monolayer protected gold NPs using the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM). Using SECM approach curves, we were able to determine the electron transfer rates of nanoparticles protected with a variety of ligands. By altering the monolayer composition through place exchange as well as changing the ligand charge by adjusting solution pH, we demonstrate effective means of modulating electron transfer rates.
Shewanella oneidensis bacteria have been noted for potential use in clean energy production and water purification due to its capability to metabolize a variety of species, including insoluble metal oxides and toxic metal species. Again using SECM, we investigated these dissimilarity metal reduction pathways and spatially determine flavin production and consumption of S. oneidensis biofilms. This understanding of the DMR mechanisms is necessary in the optimization for use of S. oneidensis in bioenergy and bioremediation applications.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VANDERBILT/oai:VANDERBILTETD:etd-03252016-151301 |
| Date | 28 March 2016 |
| Creators | Crisostomo, David Allen |
| Contributors | David E. Cliffel, G. Kane Jennings, Janet E. Macdonald, David W. Wright |
| Publisher | VANDERBILT |
| Source Sets | Vanderbilt University Theses |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.library.vanderbilt.edu/available/etd-03252016-151301/ |
| Rights | restrictone, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to Vanderbilt University or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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