Nature-inspired 1D-Oxide 1D-Chalcogenide Nanocomposites for Efficient Broad Spectrum Absorption and Photoelectrocatalysis

受自然启发的 1D-氧化物 1D-硫属化物纳米复合材料，用于高效的广谱吸收和光电催化

• 批准号: 1337050
• 负责人: Vaidyanathan Subramanian
• 金额: $ 17.4万
• 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: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-08-15 至 2016-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1337050&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Nature; inspired; 1D; Oxide; Chalcogenide

PI: Subramanian, VaidyanathanProposal Number: 1337050Institution: University of Nevada RenoTitle: Nature-inspired 1D-Oxide 1D-Chalcogenide Nanocomposites for Efficient Broad Spectrum Absorption and PhotoelectrocatalysisThe PI seeks to test the hypothesis: A nature-inspired ?tree-like? architecture consisting of 1D oxide nanotubes-1D chalcogenide nanowires will facilitate 1) broad spectrum light absorption, 2) a significant improvement in photogenerated charge separation, transport, and utilization, and 3) enhanced photocatalytic processes. The key objectives of this 2-year activity is to i) test this hypothesis using a TiO2 nanotube?CdS/PbS nanowire as a representative photocatalyst and ii) use the content in a) 2 courses, b) a book, and c) educating a minority student. An experimental approach to hypothesis validation will be implemented. The methods will involve synthesis, characterization, and testing the applicability of the photocatalysts in solar-related energy conversion processes.To test the hypothesis, a suite of complementary tools that provide further insights into optical, electronic, photoelectrochemical, and photocatalytic properties of the nanocomposites, will be employed. Preparing and testing various TiO2/CdS nanocomposites by combining 0D oxide and 1D oxide separately with 0D chalcogenide forming 0D/0D oxide-chalcogenide and 1D/0D oxide-chalcogenide composites will ensure a systematic baseline comparison and rigorous hypothesis testing. The examination of the structure- property relationships will involve evaluation of a) the role of the physical dimensions of the nanowire/nanotube towards facilitating broad spectrum absorption, b) charge separation and transport using standard and specialized (photo)electrochemical techniques, and c) improvement in the performance efficiencies of 1D oxide-1D chalcogenide nanocomposites compared to the performances of 0D equivalents. Further, experiments that provide insights into the applicability of these nanocomposites in a lesser-known sustainable approach - solar-driven waste-to-fuel production (H2 generation) - will be conducted. The aforementioned strategy to seek a fundamental understanding of the 1D nanocomposite properties, will address the principal challenges currently faced in photocatalysis: maximize visible light absorption by the photocatalyst and employ it for efficient and sustainable solar energy utilization.This project will facilitate a transformative impact on basic as well as applied science aspects of solar-driven energy generation. From a basic science standpoint, it will help answer questions on whether grain boundary reduction can help realize the formation of superhighways for charges to travel and significantly reduce recombination rates to promote redox reactions. From an applied science standpoint, improved charge separation can directly and immediately benefit a multitude of solar-related applications including: i) solar cells, ii) photocatalysis for fuel production, and iii) environmental remediation. Allied technologies such as energy conversion (fuel cells) and energy storage (batteries and capacitors) will benefit from i) being able to template the synthesis strategies developed herein and ii) draw from the insights on the role of physical dimensions on charge mobility and customize experimental protocols based on these insights for further application-specific improvements. The research efforts will be incorporate into the educational and outreach efforts.

主要研究者：Subramanian，Vaidyanathan提案编号：1337050机构：内华达州里诺大学标题：用于高效广谱吸收和光电催化的自然启发的一维氧化物一维硫属化物纳米复合材料PI试图测试假设：自然启发的？像树一样吗由1D氧化物纳米管-1D硫族化物纳米线组成的体系结构将促进1）广谱光吸收，2）光生电荷分离、传输和利用的显著改善，以及3）增强的光催化过程。 这项为期2年的活动的主要目标是：i）使用TiO 2 nanotube？CdS/PbS纳米线作为代表性光催化剂和ii）使用a）2门课程，B）一本书，和c）教育少数民族学生中的内容。 将采用实验方法验证假设。 该方法将涉及合成，表征和测试的适用性的光催化剂在太阳能相关的能量转换processes.To测试的假设，一套互补的工具，提供进一步的洞察光学，电子，光电化学，和光催化性能的纳米复合材料，将被采用。 通过将0 D氧化物和1D氧化物分别与0 D硫属化物组合形成0 D/0 D氧化物-硫属化物和1D/0 D氧化物-硫属化物复合材料来制备和测试各种TiO 2/CdS纳米复合材料将确保系统的基线比较和严格的假设检验。 结构-性质关系的检查将涉及评估a）纳米线/纳米管的物理尺寸对于促进广谱吸收的作用，B）使用纳米线/纳米管的电荷分离和传输。 标准和 专门的（光）电化学技术，以及c） 改善 1D氧化物-1D硫族化物纳米复合材料与0 D等效物的性能相比的性能效率。 此外，将进行实验，以深入了解这些纳米复合材料在鲜为人知的可持续方法中的适用性-太阳能驱动的废物转化为燃料的生产（H2生成）。 上述战略旨在寻求对一维纳米复合材料特性的基本理解，将解决目前在光催化剂领域面临的主要挑战：最大限度地提高光催化剂对可见光的吸收，并将其用于高效和可持续的太阳能利用。该项目将促进对太阳能发电的基础和应用科学方面的变革性影响。 从基础科学的角度来看，它将有助于回答有关晶界减少是否有助于实现电荷旅行的高速公路的形成，并显着降低复合率以促进氧化还原反应的问题。 从应用科学的角度来看，改进的电荷分离可以直接和立即使许多太阳能相关应用受益，包括：i）太阳能电池，ii）用于燃料生产的电池，以及iii）环境修复。 诸如能量转换（燃料电池）和能量存储（电池和电容器）的联合技术将受益于i）能够模板化本文开发的合成策略，以及ii）从物理尺寸对电荷迁移率的作用的见解中汲取，并基于这些见解定制实验方案以用于进一步的应用特定的改进。 研究工作将纳入教育和外联工作。