Gas/solid and solid-state interactions of stimulated nanostructures

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Interface-driven reactions are critical to a number of important applications: catalysis, filtration, batteries, detection units, fuel cells, etc. The interaction occurring between the environment and nanoparticles (NPs) defines their functionality and technological relevance. The surface interacts dynamically with gaseous species via sorption mechanisms: on the gas side of the interface, reactions kinetics is affected by the nature of the NP, which is in constant evolution as a result of reaction and diffusion occurring on its surface. The proposed research program is to investigate the stimulated interaction of nanostructures with their environment. Stimulation can be provided using the traditional way, i.e. by radiative heating, but also using microwave (MW) and magnetic induction (IND). The *expected outcomes* from understanding how nanostructures transduce heat and impart the energy to the surface reactions, include the possibility of improving surface-driven processes, such as catalysis, filtration, energy storage, etc. Ni-nanoferrites are catalytically-active materials exhibiting a strong absorption to MWs. These are also magnetic materials susceptible to IND heating, making them the ideal material for the investigation of stimulated surface activity. Obj. #1 is to develop and optimize the fabrication of Ni-nanoferrites by vaporizing a colloidal suspension using plasma-induction. Obj. #2 is to study the NPs interactions with the surrounding gases during stimulation using electron microscopy, diffraction, spectroscopy and mass-spectrometry. Sub-objective #2a focuses on the materials side of the interface (solid-state reactions and diffusion) while sub-objective #2b is concerned with the gaseous side of the interface (sorption and gas-solid reaction mechanisms). The initial fundamental investigations are intended to build the knowledge, the tools and the protocol to accomplish obj. #3: the study of other types of materials having magnetic and catalytic properties while exhibiting sensitivity to MW/IND field, such as carbides and oxides of Fe and Ni. These studies will then assist obj. #4: understanding the behaviour of Ni and Fe carbides and oxides for industry-relevant reactions.