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

这个博士论文增强项目（DDEP）奖将支持博士的研究。学生Augusta M. Hofstead-Duffy关于直接甲醇燃料电池（DMFC）的电催化。后者是一种有前途的清洁能源替代化石燃料，具有大规模商业实施的优势。研究的重点是通过对形状可控的Pt纳米颗粒进行原位时间分辨红外光谱分析，进一步了解甲醇氧化和氧还原反应的机理。该研究将在厦门大学孙世刚博士（中国）的指导下进行，作为中美合作项目“燃料电池应用纳米单晶包埋电催化”的补充。有各种强大的光谱技术可在主机实验室结合电化学和振动光谱，暴露在电催化反应过程中的宝贵的化学信息。在本研究中获得的机理信息将有助于更好地理解上述反应过程中电催化剂的形状和大小对活性和机理的影响，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。成功开发改良的DMFC可带来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.