Collaborative Research : Bandgap engineered composite oxide nanomaterials (BECONs) for solar energy conversion

合作研究：用于太阳能转换的带隙工程复合氧化物纳米材料（BECON）

• 批准号: 1134486
• 负责人: Vaidyanathan Subramanian
• 金额: $ 25.68万
• 依托单位: Board of Regents, NSHE, obo University of Nevada, Reno
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-08-15 至 2015-11-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1134486&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Bandgap; engineered; composite

1134486SubramanianPhotocatalysis and nanomaterial fabrication are one of the keys to developing renewable energy sources. PIs Vaidyanathan Subramanian of the University of Nevada Reno and Muhammad Huda of University of Texas at Arlington have received an award to test the hypothesis that a class of stable multi-functional bandgap-engineered composite oxide nanomaterials (BECONs) can be constructed with inexpensive, eco-friendly, and earth abundant elements. These BECONs will be used in photocatalysis and enable new solar-driven processes for energy generation, producing solar fuels such as hydrogen from water and methane or methanol from CO2. The integrated theoretical and experimental research involves studying a promising model system of photoactive BECONs from the pyrochlore family (A2B2O7) that drive water-splitting reactions using visible light. BECON using Bi, Ti, and Fe will be synthesized using a novel reverse micelle method. Through the collaboration, the structure-property-relationships, multi-functionality, and photocatalytic activity of these model materials will be investigated. Density functional theory studies will help interpret experimental data and drive materials design. Several features of this proposal are unique and may offer transformative outcomes. First, one of the limits in solar energy driven processes is the ability to use the entire spectrum of light to produce photocatalysis and energy. New materials with suitable bandgaps are always being sought for this use. The PIs have already obtained some encouraging preliminary data which supports the potential of BECONS to convert visible light and not just the ultraviolet light to energy service. In addition the use of non-exotic elements is in line with the current direction for the sustainable material search. Finally the collaborative efforts marry the predictions resulting from the modeling work with the experimental synthesis and testing work. The educational/outreach objectives of the proposal include a new undergraduate course that integrates content from the research program to teach photoelectrochemistry concepts; a toolkit for screening photoactive materials for solar energy conversion applications for undergraduate and graduate student use; and to coordinate and continue advising the sustainable energy forum, a popular student organization that the UNR-PI has conceived and established at University of Nevada, Reno, that focuses on awareness about alternate energy.The idea is interesting, the results could be significant, and this project is a part of the Program efforts at supporting catalytic programs in renewable energy. This proposed work will have an impact on scientific and technological aspects of solar driven processes to facilitate efficient harvesting of visible light to deliver photocatalytic solar energy assisted fuel production.

光催化和纳米材料制备是开发可再生能源的关键之一。内华达大学雷诺分校的PiS Vaidyanathan Subramanian和德克萨斯大学阿灵顿分校的Muhammad Huda获得了一个奖项，以检验一类稳定的多功能带隙工程复合氧化物纳米材料(Becons)可以用廉价、环保和富含地球的元素构建的假设。这些Becons将被用于光催化，并使新的太阳能发电过程成为可能，从水中生产氢气，从甲烷中生产太阳能燃料，或者从二氧化碳中生产甲醇。理论和实验相结合的研究包括研究一种很有前途的焦绿石族(A2B2O7)光活性贝子模型系统，该系统可以利用可见光驱动水分解反应。因为使用了一种新的反胶束方法来合成含铋、钛和铁的化合物。通过合作，将对这些模型材料的结构-性质-关系、多功能和光催化活性进行研究。密度泛函理论的研究将有助于解释实验数据和驱动材料设计。这项提案的几个特点是独一无二的，可能会带来变革性的结果。首先，太阳能驱动过程的限制之一是使用整个光谱来产生光催化和能量的能力。人们一直在寻找具有合适带隙的新材料来实现这一用途。PIs已经获得了一些令人鼓舞的初步数据，这些数据支持Becons将可见光而不仅仅是紫外光转换为能源服务的潜力。此外，非奇异因素的使用符合目前可持续材料搜索的方向。最后，合作努力将建模工作产生的预测与实验合成和测试工作结合起来。该提案的教育/推广目标包括开设一个新的本科课程，该课程整合了研究计划的内容，教授光电化学概念；一个工具包，用于为本科生和研究生筛选太阳能转换应用的光活性材料；以及协调并继续为可持续能源论坛提供建议，可持续能源论坛是一个受欢迎的学生组织，由UNR-PI在内华达大学里诺分校构思并建立，专注于对替代能源的认识。这个想法很有趣，结果可能是重要的，这个项目是该计划支持可再生能源催化计划的一部分。这项拟议的工作将对太阳能驱动的过程的科学和技术方面产生影响，以促进有效地收集可见光，以提供光催化太阳能辅助燃料生产。