Project Details
Projekt
Investigations on Magnetic Field Effects in Carotenoid-Porphyrin-Fullerene Triads
Applicant
Dr. Christian Kerpal
Subject Area
Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
Term
from 2014 to 2015
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 256837888
The product yields and kinetics of chemical reactions can be influenced by magnetic fields if the reactions proceed via radical pairs. The goal of the proposed investigations is to determine the factors governing the strength and directionality of such magnetic field effects. To gain this insight, a number of different carotene-porphyrin-fullerene triads are investigated with several experimental and theoretical methods and the differences in response to magnetic fields analysed. The used experimental methods include transient absorption spectroscopy as well as different time dependent electron paramagnetic resonance experiments in weak and strong fields. These are complemented by time independent and time dependent density functional theory based calculations. The results could help in designing an optimised magnetic field sensor (magnetic compass) and help understanding the origin of the magnetic field sensing ability of many animals, specifically of migratory birds.
DFG Programme
Research Fellowships
International Connection
United Kingdom
