Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Semiconductor Electrochemistry and Photocatalysis Attempts at developing efficient and stable photoelectrochemical (PEC) conversion systems have more recently led to exploring the potential and power of PEC methods for non-energy related research. Topics under study include novel in situ diagnostic tools for semiconductor film formation, and spectroscopic probes of charge and mass transport at semiconductor/electrolyte interfaces. We are also investigating the mechanisms of heterogeneous photocatalysis for toxic waste treatment and disinfection. A recent area of interest is solar hydrogen production. Conducting Oxides and Polymers In this area, our interests lie with charge and mass transport mechanisms, the development of novel in situ analytical probes of ion transport, and the chemistry/materials aspects of device applications including sensors, fuel cells, and capacitors. Environmental Electrochemistry We are interested in novel electrode materials for toxic waste treatment and chemical sensing of pollutants.

Monographs/Edited Books/Book Chapters:

K. Rajeshwar and J. B. Ibañez, "Environmental Electrochemistry," Academic Press, San Diego (1997).

K. Rajeshwar, L. M. Peter, A. Fujishima, D. Meissner and M. Tomkiewicz (Eds.), "Photoelectrochemistry," The Electrochemical Society, Pennington, NJ (1997).

K. Rajeshwar and N. R. de Tacconi, "Semiconductor Nanocomposite Films for Photoelectrochemical Applications," in "Interfacial Electrochemistry" (edited by A. Wieckowski), Chapter 40, pp. 721-736, Marcel Dekker, New York (1999).

K. Rajeshwar, "Electron Transfer at Semiconductor-Electrolyte Interfaces," in "Electron Transfer in Chemistry" (edited by V. Balzani), Wiley-VCH, Weinheim (2001). 

K. Rajeshwar, “Fundamentals of Semiconductor Electrochemistry and Photoelectrochemistry,” in “Encyclopedia of Electrochemistry” (edited by S. Licht), Chapter 1, pp. 3 -53, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim (2001). 

Selected Recent Publications:

W. Sun, C. R. Chenthamarakshan and K. Rajeshwar, "Chronopotentiometry of Titania Film Electrodes in Aqueous Media," J. Phys. Chem. B 106, 11531-11538 (2002). 

R. O. Lezna, R. Romagnoli, N. R. de Tacconi and K. Rajeshwar, "Cobalt Hexacyanoferrate: Compound Stoichiometry, Infrared Spectroelectrochemistry, and Photoinduced Electron Transfer," J. Phys. Chem. B 106, 3612-3621 (2002).

N. R. de Tacconi, R. O. Lezna and K. Rajeshwar, "Metal Hexacyanoferrates: Electrosynthesis, In Situ Characterization and Applications," Chem. Mater. 15, 3046-3062 (2003) (This article was featured on the cover of the issue).

J. Yamamoto, A. Tan, R. Shiratsuchi, S. Hayase, C. R. Chenthamarakshan and K. Rajeshwar, "A 4% Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Fabricated from Cathodically Electrosynthesized Composite Titania Films," Advanced Materials  15, 1823-1825 (2003).

S. Somasundaram, Y. Ming, C. R. Chenthamarakshan, Z. A. Schelly and K. Rajeshwar, “Free Radical Mediated Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Reduction of Metal Ions in UV-Irradiated Titanium Dioxide Suspensions,” J. Phys. Chem. B  108, 4784-4788 (2004).

B.S. University College, Trivandrum, India (1969)

M.S. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India (1971)

Ph.D. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India (1974)

Postdoctoral Fellow:
St. Francis Xavier University (1975-1976);
Colorado State University (1976-1978)

Senior Research Associate: Colorado State University (1979-1983)

Wilfred T. Doherty Award, American Chemical Society, Dallas-Ft. Worth Section, 1994

Editor, The Electrochemical Society Interface magazine, 1999-present

Fellow of the Electrochemical Society, 2002-present

Charter Member, UT Arlington Academy of Distinguished Scholars and Researchers, 2004-present

Energy Technology Division Research Award of the Electrochemical Society, 2009