Carsten Milsmann

Carsten Milsmann is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Delaware, where he leads the Milsmann Lab since August 2024. Previously affiliated with West Virginia University, his research focuses on replacing precious metal-based photosensitizers with Earth-abundant elements.

• Education
  • Ph.D., Max-Planck-Institute for Bioinorganic Chemistry & Ruhr University Bochum
  • Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow, Princeton University

Research Specializations combine:

• Design of photoluminescent molecules using early transition metals (Zr, Hf) and main-group elements (Si, Ge)
• Development of ligand frameworks enabling long-lived excited states through TADF mechanisms
• Applications in photoredox catalysis, solar energy conversion, and sustainable chemical processes
• Photochemical C-C bond formation and C-H activation under visible light
• Investigation of intersystem crossing rates and excited state dynamics
• Uncovering unique reactivity patterns in iron and actinide complexes

Notable Contributions include:

• First demonstration of Zr(IV) complexes with LMCT excited states for photoredox catalysis (JACS 2016)
• Advancing TADF mechanisms in d⁰ metals (Nature Chemistry 2020)
• Developing molecular systems for photon upconversion with record quantum efficiencies (Chemical Science 2021)
• Creating novel actinide-based luminescent materials (Inorganic Chemistry 2024)

Contact
milsmann@udel.edu
Milsmann Lab Website