https://kyushu-u.elsevierpure.com/en/persons/motonori-watanabe
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Laboratory HP
.

Doctor of Science

No

Organic Chemistry, Material Chemistry

03years00months

My research interests focuses on the material chemistry and photochemistry, and organic materials for opt-electronic devices. I focus to study the new fundamental organic dyes using the synthetic method that are candidates for dye-sensitized photo catalytic water-splitting reaction system in order to improve the light absorption, durability, and hydrogen production rate. Also, we focus the synthesis of novel organic dye for photo voltaic, and organic semicondoctor.

Research Interests

• Photocatalytic CO2 reduction by organic-inorganic hydrid photocatalyst
  keyword : organic-inorganic composite; photocatalyst; CO2 reduction
  2023.04～2025.06.
• Development of organic-inorganic hybrid photocatalyst
  keyword : Interface, organic semiconductor, inorganic semiconductor, photocatalyst, visible light reaction, water decomposition
  2014.01～2021.04.
• Development of organic semiconductors and development to field effect transistors
  keyword : Organic semiconductor, transistor
  2011.06～2020.04.

Current and Past Project

• Hydrogen is attracting attention as a useful energy carrier, however, from the perspective of carbon neutrality, hydrogen production methods must be accompanied by technologies that do not generate carbon dioxide or can convert it into useful molecules. Photocatalytic hydrogen production using solar energy is the most ideal method that does not emit carbon dioxide, and research showing high solar energy conversion efficiency is accelerating worldwide toward practical application. This research aims to achieve solar energy conversion efficiency by faster charge separation at interfaces formed by visible and near-infrared responsive organic dyes, halide perovskites, and highly active inorganic materials. thin films for fast charge transport at organic/inorganic interfaces and analyze the film structure with synchrotron radiation. Japan team fabricate thin films of organic and inorganic materials, while Switzerland team fabricate highly dense thin films by photo laser deposition (PLD). Further, and amorphous stable co-catalysts/protective films are deposited on thin films by low temperature PLD technic. This Japan-Switzerland fabrication will achieve fast charge separation between the organic/inorganic interface and improve the water electrolysis efficiency. The combination of inorganic photoanode and photocathode optimized in this bilateral collaboration achieves a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 10%. The Japan- Switzerland two teams will promote the formation of a network in organic-inorganic interface science through exchange of young researchers to promote brain circulation.
• In this research, we aim to synthesize the precursor that can form cyclacene skeleton and achieve the target cyclacene by the reaction that is stimulated by mild condition such heat and/or light energy instead of chemical reaction. When the norbornadiene skeleton was selected as the starting material for the targeted cyclacene skeleton, we succeeded in synthesizing a bromohexacene precursor, which is a planar extension structure of the cyclacene skeleton. However, it was difficult to synthesize a precursor with a small ring size by this method, so reaction with norbornadiene-2,3,5,6-tetradiene was tried, but the corresponding cyclacene precursor could not be synthesized. . In the future, it has become an issue to consider the synthesis of cyclacene skeleton by multistep reaction.
• In this research, I focused on the iron complex structure of hydrogenase-producing enzyme hydrogenase, developed a new organic iron cocatalyst to replace platinum that mimics of hydrogenase hydrogen production centre, and incorporated water into the non-precious metal hybrid photocatalyst appropriately incorporated in photocatalyst, and demonstrate the usefulness of decomposing hydrogen production and a new iron-based co-catalyst that can be converted to platinum. I will conduct screening of iron complexes in the past and develop organic iron complex promoters, clarify their physical properties, and combine inorganic oxide and iron complex promoters to create a model for photocatalysts.

Academic Activities

Educational Activities