CAREER: CAS: Ultrafast Electron and Molecular Dynamics Investigations on 2D Nanostructured Photocatalytic Materials for the Generation of Fuels from Renewable Sources

职业：CAS：用于利用可再生能源生产燃料的二维纳米结构光催化材料的超快电子和分子动力学研究

基本信息

批准号：
1943697
负责人：
Mihai Vaida
金额：
$ 54.47万
依托单位：
The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Continuing Grant
财政年份：
2020
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2020-07-01 至 2025-06-30
项目状态：
未结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1943697&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
CAREER CAS Ultrafast Electron Molecular

项目摘要

The need to produce fuels from sunlight, similar to photosynthesis used by green plants, is the result of increasing global energy demand. The decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen and the generation of fuels from carbon dioxide (CO2) using visible light are important goals. Although a great deal of research has been performed to produce fuels from sunlight, currently there are no effective methods to produce solar fuels at large scale. Using a novel experimental technique, Dr. Mihai Vaida of the University of Central Florida is monitoring the ultrafast reactions of molecules at surfaces, producing real-time movies of atoms and molecules during light-driven reactions. This research is providing unique insights into photocatalytic processes and helping the development of new, highly efficient photocatalysts to speed up solar fuel generation. The research is integrated with an educational program to communicate the importance of clean fuels from renewable sources at the K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels. This program is recruiting and mentoring women and underrepresented minority students in STEM (science/technology/engineering/mathematics) disciplines. With funding from the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Chemistry Division, Dr. Vaida of the University of Central Florida is developing the experimental and educational tools required to investigate, understand, and disseminate results of 2D nanostructured photocatalytic materials and reaction mechanisms that lead to the generation of solar fuels from renewable sources. Employing pump probe photoemission spectroscopy in conjunction with extreme ultraviolet (XUV) laser pulses, this project investigates the charge carrier dynamics at the photocatalyst surface with femtosecond resolution, surface sensitivity, and element specificity. Moreover, pump-probe femtosecond-laser mass spectrometry in conjunction with XUV soft ionization at the surface is employed to decipher the reaction mechanisms through the detection of intermediate species and final products with time-, mass-, and energy resolution. The water-splitting reaction as well as reactions that lead to the formation of fuel molecules via CO2 reduction are studied on 2D transition metal dichalcogenides decorated with metal particles. To support the broader impacts of the project, Dr. Vaida is actively engaged in outreach activities and is working with high school teachers to develop teaching modules focused on renewable energy. In addition, workshops are organized to train undergraduate and graduate students in the field of nanomaterials for renewable energy production and storage.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

与绿色植物使用的光合作用相似的阳光中产生燃料的需求是全球能源需求增加的结果。使用可见光的二氧化碳（CO2）的水分解为氢和氧以及从二氧化碳（CO2）产生的燃料是重要的目标。尽管已经进行了大量研究以从阳光下生产燃料，但目前尚无大规模生产太阳能燃料的有效方法。佛罗里达大学中央大学的Mihai Vaida博士使用一种新型的实验技术，正在监测表面上分子的超快反应，从而在光驱动反应期间产生原子和分子的实时电影。这项研究为光催化过程提供了独特的见解，并帮助开发了新的，高效的光催化剂，以加快太阳能燃料的产生。这项研究与一项教育计划集成在一起，以传达来自K-12，本科和研究生水平的可再生资源的清洁燃料的重要性。该计划正在招募和指导STEM（科学/技术/工程/数学）学科的女性和代表性不足的少数族裔学生。借助化学司的化学催化计划的资助，佛罗里达州中部大学的VAIDA博士正在开发研究，理解和传播2D纳米结构的光催化材料和反应机制所需的实验和教育工具，这些材料和反应机制导致从可再生来源产生太阳能燃料。该项目采用泵探针光发射光谱和极端紫外线（XUV）激光脉冲，研究了具有飞秒分辨率，表面敏感性和元素特异性的光催化剂表面的电荷载体动力学。此外，通过检测时间，质量和能量分辨率的中间物种和最终产物，采用了表面上的泵螺旋螺旋杆质谱与XUV软电离结合使用。在用金属颗粒装饰的2D过渡金属二核苷上研究了水分的反应以及导致通过CO2减少形成燃料分子的反应。为了支持该项目的更广泛影响，Vaida博士积极从事外展活动，并正在与高中教师合作开发着专注于可再生能源的教学模块。此外，还组织了研讨会，以培训纳米材料领域的本科生和研究生，用于可再生能源生产和存储。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并被认为值得通过基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的审查标准通过评估来进行评估。