Hyperpolarized xenon and solid state NMR methods for the study of photocatalytic and biological materials

In this work photocatalysts are studied using a variety of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Through the addition of substances to the structures of photocatalysts, the materials can be modified for improved photoactivity towards the goal of water splitting under solar irradiation. Hyperpolarized xenon is generated and then applied to the materials to study the available surface environments on the catalysts. Variable temperature studies using the xenon also provide information on the void space within the materials, and the binding of xenon to the surfaces. Solid state NMR techniques were also applied to these materials, looking both at the nuclei doped into the structure and looking for changes in the structure caused by the dopant. New pulse sequences were implemented on the solids NMR instrument to glean more information from the solids. Additionally, some preliminary work was performed on tissue samples to further metabolomics studies