Modelling UV/Vis spectroscopy using density functional theory

UV/Vis spectroscopy is a key analytical tool to establish information about how molecules interact with light. Naturally this can provide interesting insight into how molecules can be used as dyes and catalysts for example. This work examines the results of UV/Vis spectroscopy with Density Functiona...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wickham, Katherine
Format: Thesis (University of Nottingham only)
Language:English
Published: 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/60314/
Description
Summary:UV/Vis spectroscopy is a key analytical tool to establish information about how molecules interact with light. Naturally this can provide interesting insight into how molecules can be used as dyes and catalysts for example. This work examines the results of UV/Vis spectroscopy with Density Functional Theory (DFT) to understand processes at a finer level. A key focus is the vibrational structure of UV/Vis spectra and how these can be recreated using DFT. The systems examined are broad but tied together by the presence of planar aromatic structures, which have strong UV/Vis spectra due to being highly conjugated. They can be split into three different types of system; the first were diimide based complexes with uses in molecular machines, the second were smaller polyaromatic hydrocarbons and the final type of system are gold-based complexes with central aromatic platforms. The computed spectra were compared to experimental results to further enhance the understanding of the experimental spectra and confirm the validity of the computational approach