RII Track-4: In Situ and Surface Sensitive Characterization of Fe-Ni(OH)2 Bimetallic Catalysts

非技术描述几种重要的下一代能源转换技术(如燃料电池和电池)是基于电化学的，其中使用基于金属的催化剂来促进所需的电化学反应。今天，使用的许多催化剂都由贵金属组成，如铂，有必要用更丰富的替代品取代这些贵金属，如镍。该项目旨在解决在电化学环境中运行的铁掺杂镍催化剂的表面化学基础知识方面的一个关键差距。这项研究将增进对电化学的认识，有利于能源技术的发展。这个项目还为PI和一名研究生提供了一个独特的机会，让他们参观内华达大学拉斯维加斯分校的一流研究设施，学习新的科学知识，并建立长期的生产性研究合作伙伴关系。技术说明长期以来，镍基催化剂一直被认为是广为人知的，在广泛的电化学应用中非常有用，但现在需要对双金属铁-镍电催化剂有详细的了解。该奖学金的总体目标是在阿肯色大学(UA)及其在材料合成方面的活动与内华达大学拉斯维加斯分校(UNLV)之间建立长期合作关系，内华达大学拉斯维加斯分校是世界上主要的软X射线光谱分析站点之一。这项建议的具体研究目标是利用软X射线光谱对一套铁镍氧化物/氢氧化物双金属薄膜和纳米粒子催化剂进行详细的、表面敏感的表征研究。研究的目标是：(1)利用软X射线光谱技术，在超高真空(UHV)和电化学环境中作为施加电位的函数，对合成的催化剂的表面化学和电子结构(包括导带、价带和d带结构)进行评估；(2)学习支持实验软X射线光谱的基本物理理论；(3)发展分析和评估软X射线实验数据的技能。该项目的科学研究有望促进对铁镍催化剂表面化学的基础了解，从而加快整个电催化领域的催化剂开发。UA和UNLV之间发展的长期关系预计将加强PI和UA科学界的研究活动、专业知识和教育，从而创造一个更有活力、更具科学竞争力和经济繁荣的阿肯色州。

Non-technical DescriptionSeveral important next-generation energy conversion technologies (e.g., fuel cells and batteries) are based on electrochemistry, where a metal-based catalyst is used to promote a desired electrochemical reaction. Today, many of the catalysts used are comprised of precious metals, such as platinum, and there is a need to replace these precious metals with more abundant alternatives, such as nickel. This project aims to address a critical gap in fundamental knowledge of the surface chemistry of iron-doped nickel catalysts that operate in electrochemical environments. This research will advance knowledge of electrochemistry and benefit energy technology development. This project also provides a unique opportunity for the PI and a graduate student to visit a premier research facility at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas to learn new scientific knowledge and establish long-term productive research partnerships.Technical DescriptionNickel-based catalysts have long been thought to be well-understood and highly useful for a wide range of electrochemical applications, but a detailed understanding of bimetallic iron-nickel electrocatalysts is now needed. The overall goal of this fellowship is to establish a long-term collaboration between the University of Arkansas (UA), and its activities in materials synthesis, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), which is one of the premier soft x-ray spectroscopy sites in the world. The specific research goal of this proposal is to use soft x-ray spectroscopy to conduct a detailed, surface sensitive characterization study of a suite of iron-nickel oxide/hydroxide bimetallic thin film and nanoparticle catalysts. The research objectives are to: (1) perform experiments to evaluate the surface chemistry and electronic structure (including the conduction band, the valence band, and the d-band structure) of synthesized catalysts under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and as a function of applied potential in an electrochemical environment with soft x-ray spectroscopy techniques; and (2) learn the fundamental physics theory that supports experimental soft x-ray spectroscopy; and (3) develop skills to analyze and evaluate data obtained from soft x-ray experiments. The scientific research of this project is expected to advance fundamental understanding of iron-nickel catalyst surface chemistry, thereby enabling accelerated catalyst development for the entire electrocatalysis field. The long-term relationship developed between UA and UNLV is expected to enhance the research activities, expertise, and education of the PI and the UA scientific community as a whole, thereby creating a more vibrant, scientifically competitive, and economically prosperous State of Arkansas.