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VINSE - Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering

VINSE - Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
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Janet E. Macdonald

Associate Professor of Chemistry
Associate Director, Interdisciplinary Materials Science

Overview:

Predominantly made of chemists, the Macdonald group is interested in the synthesis of nanoparticles and nanostructured materials. While we study synthetic pathways, surface chemistry and fundamental properties of new materials, our synthetic efforts are mostly driven by long term goals in green energy applications such as photocatalysis, photovoltaics, electrocatalysis and lithium-ion batteries. We also have interests wherever our particles might be useful, including as materials for bio-sensing and advanced biological stains.  

One of the main focuses of the group is discovering the fundamental principles that underly how crystalline phase is determined in nanocrystal synthesis. this is especially important when nature provides many options. For example, there are nine different iron sulfides. Because all properties are the result of the identity and arrangement of atoms in space, each has their own optical, magnetic, chemical and electronic properties. We carefully examine the molecular processes that preclude nanocrystal formation in solution, as well as the role of precursor decomposition kinetics in phase determination. In this project, we don't have a specific application in mind, but rather our goal is to become master builders of nanocrystals. This way when one of our VINSE colleagues predicts a new material that can revolutionize their field, we can collaborate and know we can make it.

In another project, we examine fundamental charge transfer processes from quantum dots, trying to rethink how we balance the movement of positive and negative charges in solar energy applications such as photocatalysis and liquid junction solar cells.

Lastly, we have an active collaboration with the Haglund group in physics to develop thin films of nanocrystals that can produce second and third harmonic generation of light. We synthesize pairs of nanocrystals that can undergo plasmon-plasmon coupled light generation.

Watch on YouTube | Hear more from Janet Macdonald

Awards:

-VINSE Collaborative Paper Award, 2023
-Vanderbilt Chemistry Students Excellence in Teaching Award, 2017
-Bergmann Memorial Award, US-Israel Binational Foundation, 2013
-NSF CAREER, 2013