Electrocatalytically Active Molecule-Nanostructure Hybrid Materials

本项目将研究连接垂直排列的碳纳米纤维与电催化金属和分子材料的混合纳米结构的形成和表征。电催化反应是许多新兴技术（如燃料电池）的基础，但效率有限，而且许多催化剂的成本很高。这项研究将探索新一代的设计师接口，其中纳米结构的衬底耦合到电催化中心通过明确定义的分子基团，以优化界面的电子转移性能和由此产生的电催化效率和选择性。该补助金还将为界面科学前沿领域的研究生提供培训机会，并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接口的关键新兴技术之间的电力和化学形式的能量储存和转换，如燃料电池。具有独特性能的新型碳基纳米材料将与催化剂相联系，这种催化剂可以提高化学转化的速率，同时大大减少能源的使用。拟议的工作有可能显着提高效率，降低重要化学转化的成本。将优先培训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。还将优先为K-12学生提供在这些领域进行大学研究项目的机会。

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.