Solid State Materials Chemistry

我的研究重点是热电发电的材料，这是一种利用废热发电的独特技术。考虑到自然资源减少对替代能源的迫切需求，预计热电发电在不久的将来将发挥越来越大的作用。提高热电材料的效率将进一步加速这一发展，这可能是通过发现新材料以及通过纳米结构或能带结构工程改进现有材料来实现的。 其中一个重点是我们正在努力通过替代化学和纳米结构来增强AyMo3Sb7xTex和等结构材料的热电性能，这些都是在我们的团队中发现并表征的，得到了之前NSERC发现拨款的支持。第二个重点是基于铜硫化物的一种新的热电材料，这是在我目前的NSERC发现补助金任期内发现的。从Cu2Se的热电性能可以看出，这种基本上未被探索的类别显示出了特殊的前景，如果稳定性能够得到改善，这将是本研究提出的目标。第三，我们将在热电碲化物领域寻求新的想法，此前我们最近在这一领域的突破源于目前的发现拨款。第四，我们将开始研究横向热电，这是一个依赖于p型和n型载流子相互垂直运动的新概念。这项基础的、探索性的研究将构成我的探索基金的一个全新的重点。 总体而言，这将有助于教育和培训八名研究生以及几名本科生。这些HQP将在一般材料化学方面获得广泛的实践和理论背景，重点是能源转换/发电，这是加拿大非常感兴趣的问题。

The main thrust of my research is into materials for the thermoelectric power generation, a unique technique to generate electricity from, e.g., waste heat. Thermoelectric power generation is foreseen to play an increasing role in the near future, considering the pressing need for alternative energies due to declining natural resources. Increasing the efficiency of thermoelectric materials would further accelerate this development, which may be achieved discovering new materials as well as by improving established materials via nanostructuring or band structure engineering, for example.   One focus is on our ongoing efforts to enhance the thermoelectric properties of AyMo3Sb7xTex and isostructural materials by substitution chemistry and nanostructuring, which were discovered and characterized in our group supported by previous NSERC Discovery Grants. A second focus is on a new class of thermoelectrics based on copper chalcogenides, discovered during the tenure of my current NSERC Discovery Grant. This basically unexplored class exhibits exceptional promise, as evident from the thermoelectric performance of the Cu2Se, if the stability can be improved, which will be the objective of this research proposed here. Third, we will pursue new ideas in the area of thermoelectric thallium tellurides, after our recent breakthrough in this area stemming from the current Discovery Grant. Fourth, we will commence studies into transverse thermoelectrics, a novel concept relying on the p- and n-type carriers moving orthogonal to each other. This basic, exploratory research will constitute a completely new focus of my Discovery Grant.   Overall this will contribute to the education and training of eight graduate students, as well as several undergraduate students. These HQP will receive an extensive practical and theoretical background in general materials chemistry focusing on energy conversion/generation, matters of vital interest to Canada.