Towards Understanding Nanocomposite Materials: Multiscale Tailoring for Thermally Stable and Accessible Nanoparticles

提案标题：了解纳米复合材料：针对热稳定和可访问的纳米颗粒的多尺度定制提案编号：CTS-0553365主要研究员：Goetz VesserInstitution：匹兹堡大学分析(决定的基本原理)：该项目将通过开发一种灵活且广泛适用的合成模板方法来促进对纳米催化的基本理解，这将导致对金属/氧化物“纳米复合材料”的系统研究。该方法基于微乳液模板合成，并将涉及在催化反应中涉及的所有长度尺度上这些材料的特征尺寸的分级多尺度定制。具体地说，该项目包括合成氧化铝和二氧化硅纳米复合材料，其中包括广泛的金属纳米颗粒；研究陶瓷和金属纳米颗粒的形成及其在成核和生长过程中的相互作用；以及这些材料在现实反应条件下对几个与能源有关的高温催化反应的反应表征。这项工作的智力价值是基于催化反应的多尺度性质带来的基本挑战。这项研究将有助于详细了解催化剂结构如何在不同的长度尺度上相互作用。它将强调催化剂稳定性和在纳米结构催化剂中的运输的关键作用，而不是主要针对活性和选择性作为催化剂开发的目标。最后，该项目将展示一种灵活和广泛适用的多尺度方法，以加强对纳米复合催化材料的组成、结构和功能的控制。这项研究的更广泛影响将解决提高技术成本和催化剂稳定性的问题，这些都是发展最先进的燃料处理器的主要限制因素之一。因此，成功展示适用于这些环境的高活性和稳定的纳米复合催化剂将对未来的能源技术产生重大影响，包括可能实现的“氢经济”。该项目将加强本科生对研究的参与。当地的高中生也将参与这项研究计划，这将为新的全部门推广工作提供基础。

AbstractProposal Title: Towards Understanding Nanocomposite Materials: Multiscale Tailoring for Thermally Stable and Accessible Nanoparticles Proposal Number: CTS-0553365Principal Investigator: Goetz VesserInstitution: University of PittsburghAnalysis (rationale for decision):This project will advance the fundamental understanding of nanocatalysis by developing a flexible and widely applicable template approach for synthesis that will lead to a systematic investigation of metal/oxide "nanocomposites." The approach is based on a microemulsion-templated synthesis and will involve the hierarchical multiscale tailoring of the characteristic dimensions of these materials across all length scales involved in a catalytic reaction. Specifically, the project comprises the synthesis of alumina- and silica-based nanocomposites which incorporate a wide range of metal nanoparticles; the investigation of the formation of the ceramic and metal nanoparticles and their interaction during nucleation and growth; and the reactive characterization of these materials at realistic reaction conditions for several energy-related high-temperature catalytic reactions.The intellectual merit of the work is based on the fundamental challenge posed by the multiscale nature of catalytic reactions. The research will contribute a detailed understanding of how catalyst structures interact across different length scales. It will emphasize the crucial role of catalyst stability and transport inside nanostructured catalysts, rather than aiming mainly at activity and selectivity as targets for the catalyst development. Finally, the project will demonstrate a flexible and widely applicable multiscale approach towards an increased control over composition, structure, and function of nanocomposite catalytic materials.The broader impact of the research will address the improved technological costs and catalyst stability, which are among the main limiting factors in the development of state-of-the-art fuel processors. The successful demonstration of highly active and stable nanocomposite catalysts for these environments will therefore have significant impact on future energy technology, including the possible realization of a "hydrogen economy". The project will feature an intensified participation of undergraduate students in research. Local high school students will also be involved in the research program, which will provide a basis for a new department-wide outreach effort.