DDEP: In Situ Ultra Fast Time-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopic Study on Shape Controlled Pt Nanoparticles

该博士论文增强项目（DDEP）奖将支持博士生Augusta M. Hofstead-Duffy女士对直接甲醇燃料电池（DMFC）相关电催化的研究。后者是一种很有前途的清洁能源，可以替代化石燃料，并且具有大规模商业化实施的优势。该研究的重点是通过原位时间分辨红外光谱对形状控制的Pt纳米颗粒进行甲醇氧化和氧还原反应的进一步机理研究。该研究将在厦门大学（中国）孙世刚博士的指导下进行，作为中美合作项目燃料电池应用纳米单晶系综电催化的补充。在主实验室中有多种强大的光谱技术，结合电化学和振动光谱，在电催化反应过程中揭示有价值的化学信息。在本研究中期望获得的机理信息将提供对上述反应中与电催化剂形状和大小有关的活性和机制的更好理解。该项目将对燃料电池阳极上发生的分子尺度过程进行系统和详细的分析。该项目将使博士生获得有意义的国际经验。成功开发改进型dmfc可提供可观的经济和环境效益。

This Doctoral Dissertation Enhancement Project (DDEP) award will support the research of Ph.D. student Ms. Augusta M. Hofstead-Duffy on electrocatalysis relevant to the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The latter is a promising clean energy alternative to fossil fuels and has advantages for large-scale commercial implementation. The focus of the study is to gain further mechanistic insights on the methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions through in situ time-resolved infrared spectroscopy on shape controlled Pt nanoparticles. The study will be performed under the guidance of Dr. Shi-Gang Sun of Xiamen University (China) as a supplement to the US-China collaborative project Nanoscale Single-Crystal Ensemble Electrocatalysis for Fuel Cell Applications. There are a variety of powerful spectroscopic techniques available in the host laboratory combining electrochemistry and vibrational spectroscopy that expose valuable chemical information during the course of the electrocatalytic reaction. The mechanistic information expected to be obtained during this study will provide a better understanding of activities and mechanisms as it relates to electrocatalyst shape and size during the aforementioned reactions.The project will provide a systematic and detailed analysis of the molecular-scale processes occurring on the fuel cell anodes. The project will allow the PhD student gain meaningful international experience. Successful development of improved DMFCs could provide considerable economic and environmental benefits.