CAREER: Tailored metal-oxide-based heterogeneous nanointerfaces for robust electro-catalyst formation

1454230迪努，Zoica cerasela这项研究的重点是确定能够增加能源组合同时减少对环境影响的技术。通过实验评估和先进的设计和表征方法，所提出的研究将有望导致下一代强大的可见光响应异质结构，能够利用太阳能进行有效的光催化和能源产生。迫切需要的是开发光催化剂材料，有效地利用可见光来形成资源丰富的光电系统。然而，光吸收效率、高耐腐蚀性能以及在干燥条件下与材料还原/氧化半反应不匹配的低能级仍然是设计和制造下一代熟练光催化剂的当代挑战。该项目的目标是建立一个集成的研究平台，用于设计具有最佳电化学能力，提高光敏性，增强功率转换效率，选择性，稳定性和延长保质期的可见吸收光催化剂异质界面的坚固三维阵列。建议的教育计划有助于研究项目，旨在教育和激励参与者认识到催化和基于催化的科学与工程的力量。通过实施“光电化学催化科学与应用”的综合教学模块，并通过使用虚拟实验室演示，PI将接触到她所在社区代表性不足的人口，扩大其科学素养，并为下一代劳动力创造机会，了解与能源相关技术开发和实施相关的挑战。具体目标包括：(1)使用组合方法依赖于定制材料（金属氧化物/石墨烯杂化物）的物理化学性质和基于激光的直接书写来设计可扩展的异质界面；(2)阐明决定结构光子吸收效率、光催化活性和异质结构转化效率的基本机制；(3)实时监测异质结构的耐腐蚀性。光电化学催化科学的基本技术障碍之一是找到有效的光吸收催化剂，这些催化剂具有控制导体带和光产生的电子-空穴对的重组，以进一步研究它们的掺杂如何提高光子吸收效率，改善光催化活性，以及在液体环境中抗腐蚀。这项研究产生的结果有望填补这一关键的知识空白。这项研究应该揭示材料性质和杂化界面反应之间的串扰，并帮助确定在用户可扩展的三维光系统中提高转换效率和选择性的关键因素。最后，通过提供与材料物理和化学性质相关的光催化剂反应的基本/机理信息，并通过优化结构-功能反应性，该研究有望提高“收益-风险”比，并允许系统设计和集成定制的异质界面，以实现高效的能源生成。

1454230Dinu, Zoica CeraselaThis research is focused on identifying technologies capable of increasing the energy portfolio while reducing the footprint on the environment. Through experimental assessment and advanced design and characterization methods, the proposed research will hopefully lead to the next generation of robust visible-light-responsive hetero-structures capable of utilizing solar light for efficient photocatalysis and energy generation. Highly desired is the development of photocatalyst materials that effectively utilize visible light to form resourceful photo-electro-systems. However, light-absorbance efficiency, high corrosion-resistance properties, as well as low energy levels that do not match material reduction/oxidation half-reactions in dry conditions remain contemporary challenges in designing and manufacturing the next generation of proficient photocatalysts. The goal of this project is to establish an integrated research platform for the design of robust three-dimensional arrays of visible-absorbing photocatalyst heterointerfaces that have optimum electrochemical capability, increased photosentivity, enhanced power conversion efficiency, selectivity, stability and prolonged shelf-life. The proposed education plan contributes to the research project, and aims to educate and inspire the participants to appreciate the power of catalysis and catalysis-based science and engineering. Through implementation of comprehensive instructional modules in "Photo-Electro-chemical Catalysis Science and Applications" and by using virtual laboratory demonstrations, the PI will reach the under-representative population in her community, expand its scientific literacy, and create opportunities for the next generation workforce to understand the challenges associated with energy-related technologies development and implementation.The specific objectives consist of: (1) using combinatorial approaches relying on tailoring material (metal-oxide/graphene hybrids) physicochemical properties and laser-based direct writing to design scalable hetero-interfaces, (2) elucidating the fundamental mechanisms that dictate the structure-photon absorption efficiency, photocatalytic activity and hetero-structure conversion efficiency, and (3) monitoring hetero-structure's resistance to corrosion, all in situ and in real-time. One of the fundamental technological barriers in photo-electro-chemical catalysis science is finding efficient light-absorbing catalysts that have controlled conductor bands and reduced recombination of photo-generated electron-hole pairs, to further allow for studying how their doping could lead to increased photon absorption efficiency, improved photocatalytic activity, and resistance to corrosion in liquid environments. The results generated from this research are expected to fill this critical knowledge gap. The research should unravel the crosstalk between material properties and hybrid interface reactions and help identify the key factors responsible for the enhanced conversion efficiency and selectivity in user-scalable three-dimensional photosystems. Lastly, by offering fundamental/mechanistic information on the response of the photocatalysts in relation to materials physical and chemical properties and by optimizing structure-function reactivity, the research is expected to improve the "benefit-to-risk" ratio and allow systematic design and integration of tailored hetero-interfaces for efficient energy generation.