"Electron-Donating Phenothiazines for Energy Storage Applications"
Prof. Susan A. Odom
Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky
Phenothiazine derivatives have seen widespread use as stable electron-donating organic compounds with generally stable oxidized states, which makes them an attractive core for functionalization for use in electrochemical energy storage applications. With phenothiazine itself as a starting material, functionalization of the 3, 7, and 10 positions is facile, providing options to modify redox potentials and improve stability in both the neutral and singly oxidized (radical cation) states. Additionally, this ring system can be built from aryl amines and aryl bromides, allowing for the production of compounds with even more functionalization, including incorporating groups at the 1 and 9 positions and – in some cases – at every sp2-hybridized C atom in the aromatic core. In many cases, computational studies have predicted what we have observed experimentally, and often guides our design of next-generation materials. This presentation focuses on the characterization of phenothiazine derivatives, both from experimental and computational approaches, and includes results from their incorporation into lithium-ion batteries as electrolyte additives for overcharge protection as well as studies toward using them in non-aqueous redox flow batteries as catholytes.
This seminar is part of the 2015-16 Energy Storage Seminar Series at UK supported by NSF EPSCoR under Award No. 1355438.
Title: Arranging Molecular Building Blocks with Enhanced Control in the Real and Virtual Worlds
Abstract:The Smaldone Group at the University of Texas, Dallas is primarily interested in the design of novel organic materials using the principles of organic synthesis and self-assembly. Specifically, our research focuses on several key areas: i) developing new methods for the synthesis of porous polymers and covalent organic frameworks for environmental applications in clean energy and pollution control, ii) the design and synthesis of novel polymers for applications in 3D printing and iii) creating games for scientific and chemical education.
Susan Odom and group members Aman Preet Kaur, Corrine Elliott, and Selin Ergun reported their results in protecting lithium-ion batteries from overcharge in paper titled "Overcharge Performance of 3,7-Bis(trifluoromethyl)-N-ethylphenothiazine at High Concentrations in Lithium-Ion Batteries." Citation: J. Electrochem. Soc., 2016, 163, A1-A7.
The results of this study show that carboxylic acids and polyhydroxylated biphenyls and terphenyls products can be generated from organic species emitted during combustion processes. The implication of this finding is that heterogeneous reactions provide a channel for the generation of secondary oxidants during atmospheric processes.J. Phys. Chem. A, 2015, 119 (41), 10349–10359.
Prof. Lai-Sheng Wang of Brown University will present this year's Dawson Lecture: "From Planar Boron Clusters to Borophene & Borospherene." The lecture will be held in CP-139 at 4:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in Room 114A&B.
Celebrating the accomplishments of distinguished alumni and faculty, the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences will induct five new members into the its Hall of Fame Friday, Oct. 9.
