James D. Blakemore

Our research program aims to address fundamental challenges in the efficient and sustainable production of energy, fuels, and chemicals. We target synthesis and study of new molecules that provide rational control of bonding and reactivity, including molecular electrocatalysts capable of storing energy in chemical bonds. We also prepare and study electrodes featuring immobilized redox-active molecules and catalysts. Our work includes studies of both transition metals, and f-block elements.

Active projects in the group generally involve synthesis, characterization, and reactivity studies of new inorganic and organometallic complexes. Our work spans from fundamental development of custom-tailored ligands to more applied electrochemical studies of molecular catalysts and redox-active compounds. To accomplish this work, students in the Blakemore group are trained in air- and moisture-free synthetic methods, spectroscopy (e.g., NMR, EPR), electrochemistry, catalyst characterization, and surface characterization (e.g., IR, XPS).