Electrocatalytically Active Molecule-Nanostructure Hybrid Materials

本项目将研究将垂直排列的碳纳米纤维与电催化金属和分子材料连接在一起的杂化纳米结构的形成和表征。电催化反应是许多新兴技术的基础，如燃料电池，但效率有限，而且许多催化剂的成本高。本研究将探索新一代的设计界面，其中纳米结构的底物通过定义明确的分子基团与电催化中心耦合，以优化界面的电子转移性质以及由此产生的电催化效率和选择性。该基金还将为界面科学前沿领域的研究生提供培训机会，并将为教师和研究生提供指导K-12学生进行独立研究项目的机会。该项目的重点是材料和界面，这些材料和界面对于新兴技术至关重要，可以在电力和化学形式之间存储和转换能量，例如燃料电池。新型的碳基纳米材料表现出独特的性能，将与催化剂联系在一起，这种催化剂可以在显著减少能源使用的情况下提高化学转化的速度。所提出的工作具有显著提高效率和降低重要化学转化成本的潜力。将优先培养对能源科学未来发展至关重要的科学和技术领域的研究生。优先考虑为K-12学生提供在这些领域进行研究项目的机会。

This project will investigate the formation and characterization of hybrid nanostructures linking vertically aligned carbon nanofibers with electrocatalytic metals and molecular materials. Electrocatalytic reactions underlie many emerging technologies such as fuel cells, but are limited in efficiency and by the high cost of many catalysts. This research will explore a new generation of designer interfaces in which nanostructured substrates are coupled to electrocatalytic centers through well-defined molecular groups in order to optimize the electron-transfer properties of the interface and the resulting electrocatalytic efficiency and selectivity. The grant will also provide training opportunities for graduate students in cutting-edge areas of interface science and will provide opportunities for faculty and graduate students to mentor K-12 students conducting independent research projects.%%%The project focuses on materials and interfaces crucial to emerging technologies for storage and conversion of energy between electrical and chemical forms, such as fuel cells. Novel types of carbon-based nanoscale materials exhibiting unique properties will be linked to catalysts that can enhance the rates of chemical transformations with significantly reduced use of energy. The proposed work has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and lower the cost of important chemical transformations. Priority will be given to training for graduate students in areas of science and technology crucial to future developments in energy science. Priority will also be given to providing opportunities for K-12 students to conduct research projects at the university in these areas.