Tunable graphene-based metal nanocomposite materials for electro-catalytic application

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The aim of this project is the defined synthesis of graphene based composite materials, decorated with cobalt or copper nanoparticles. Based on the exploitation of reduced graphene solutions of defined lateral dimensions, the sizes of the generated particles shall be controlled. Determining the influence of the synthesis parameters as well as the influence of various starting graphite materials on the final sizes of the generated composite materials, is a crucial part of this proposal.The exploitation of the electrochemical potential of the reduced graphene solutions for the generation of tuneable composite materials is an unique synthetic approach. The advantages of this method are: (i) no further reduction agent needs to be added, thus only one by-product is generated (ii) the concept can be used to synthesize a broad variety of different metal / composite materials (iii) in the reduced graphene solution, predominantly single layered material is present and therefore a successful decoration of both sides will be achieved (iv) the reduction of the metal salts proceed in close proximity to the carbon framework and a strong interaction of the generated particle is anticipated. The study of the chemical and physical properties of the generated materials is a central part of this research proposal. Simultaneously, their promising properties shall be exploited in real word applications. Graphene based cobalt and copper nanoparticles are remarkable eletrocatalyts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as well as for the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). Based on the different composite materials, a direct correlation between the catalytic activity and the size of the nanoparticles attached to the carbon framework shall be revealed in order to gain mechanistic insights in these reactions.