Uniform Metal Nanoparticle Arrays as Model Electrocatalysts: Unraveling Particle Structure-Reactivity Relationship

化学系的分析和表面化学(ASC)计划将支持俄亥俄州迈阿密大学邹守忠教授的研究计划。邹教授的研究将集中在燃料电池技术的改进上。邹教授和他的学生将使用一种新的方法来制备纳米粒子催化剂模型，并研究其对二氧化碳(O2)还原以及甲醇和一氧化碳(CO)氧化的电催化活性，这些反应对直接甲醇燃料电池非常重要。这种新的制备方法将产生组织良好的均匀纳米颗粒阵列，并且它们的尺寸、组成以及颗粒间的距离将得到很好的控制。这可能会提高燃料电池的电催化活性和整体性能。这项研究将在对美国经济具有重要意义的前沿跨学科研究领域为本科生、研究生和博士后研究人员提供绝佳的培训机会。

The Analytical and Surface Chemistry (ASC) program of the Division of Chemistry will support the research program of Prof. Shouzhong Zou of Miami University Ohio. The study of Prof. Zou will focus on improving fuel cell technology. Prof. Zou and his students will use a new approach to fabricate model nanoparticle catalysts and study their electrocatalytic activities toward dioxygen (O2) reduction, as well as methanol and carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation, reactions that are of importance to the direct methanol fuel cell. The new fabrication method will result in well organized uniform nanoparticle arrays, and their size, composition, as well as interparticle distance will be well controlled. This could potentially improve the electrocatalytic activity and overall performance of fuel cells. The study will provide excellent training opportunities to undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in a cutting edge interdisciplinary research field, which is of great importance to the US economy.