Study location	Türkiye, Istanbul
Type	Summer Research Program - Undergraduate, full-time

Language requirements	English

Other requirements	At least 2 reference(s) must be provided.

Overview

In this project with the acronym of 2D-PNIKtoKAT, we aim to demonstrate the unexplored potential of 2D pnictogens as a new family of photocatalysts for the realization of photocatalytic organic conversions under visible or near infrared light illumination. To achieve this goal, firstly, novel chemical synthesis protocols will be developed for the synthesis of 2D pnictogens and then their possible binary alloys. Afterwards, the synthesized 2D materials will be functionalized by covalent or non-covalent methods after the exfoliation of their layers with the help of ultrasonic waves. The activity of all 2D pnictogens to be obtained in this way as photocatalysts will first be investigated on photoredox organic transformations (C-H arylation and C-H phosphorylation) in a conventional batch reactor. Next, thin films of the 2D pnictogens, whose photocatalytic activities will be determined in the light of the results obtained from batch reactor studies, will then be prepared on suitable substrates by using van der Waals epitaxy or molecular beam epitaxy growth methods. The photocatalytic performances of the novel microfluidic photo-reactors to be designed using soft-lithography techniques on the thin films of 2D pnictogens will also be examined in photoredox organic transformations. Therefore, with this project, the photocatalytic properties of delaminated 2D pnictogens in liquid phase organic transformations will be demonstrated for the first time in both classical batch and photo-microfluid reactors with the unique design. Also, for the first time in this project, a new micro photo-flow reactor consisting of thin films of 2D pnictogens and their binary alloys will be designed for the organic transformations operating under visible region or NIR light. Next, the structures and photophysical properties of all materials synthesized in the project will be characterized by using advanced analytical techniques. Our results will provide an overview of how the chemical and physical properties of 2D pnictogens can be tuned, greatly expanding the basic knowledge of these materials, and paving the way for new applications of these materials in different fields.