Urgent Replacement of a Laue X-Ray Diffraction System for Research in Interfacial Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis

迫切需要一种用于劳厄衍射系统的新的X射线发生器，以取代已报废的仪器。它将是用于电化学和电催化研究的金属单晶的生长、取向、抛光、蚀刻和退火的独特装置的一部分。X射线发生器的设计与旧的类似，但它是一种现代仪器，拥有新的电子设备，以及数据采集和处理能力。由于无法使用可操作的X射线发生器，一项完整的原创研究计划被搁置。此外，这使得几个总部基地难以继续他们计划的研究活动，并按计划完成他们的研究生学业。该仪器对于我们与加拿大和国际研究人员的合作也是必不可少的。该发电机对跨学科的HQP培训至关重要，该培训涵盖电化学、电催化、材料科学、分析化学和腐蚀科学。该仪器将为三个主要研究项目服务。(1)本课题组将制备Ni(HKl)电极，并研究其在碱性水溶液中的电氧化和电溶解。电感耦合等离子体质谱(电感耦合等离子体质谱)测量将补充电化学数据。我们将研究镍电极上的析氢、氢氧化、析氧和氧还原反应的机理和动力学。我的小组还将研究镍(香港)电极在碱性水溶液中的稳定性(腐蚀性)。我们将建立镍材料的结构-催化活性-稳定性关系，这将有助于设计活性和稳定的碱性水槽和燃料电池用镍纳米材料。(2)本课题组将制备铂(HKl)电极，并研究其在酸性水溶液中的电氧化和电溶解。我们将分析铂(HKl)电极在用氮气放气并用O2或H2饱和的电解液中的稳定性(腐蚀)。电感耦合等离子体质谱测量将作为电化学研究的补充。同样，这项研究的目标是建立结构-催化活性-稳定性之间的关系，但对铂材料除外。该项目的成果将有利于使用铂纳米颗粒的聚合物电解质膜燃料电池。(3)本课题组将制备具有不同取向的铂(Hkl)、Au(Hkl)和Rh(Hkl)晶体，并将使用欠电位沉积(UPD)来形成纳米层。该方法便于制备具有受控的化学成分和微调的物理性能的超薄层。我们将研究银和铜在三种不同表面几何形状(基面)的三种衬底上的UPD。获得一套全面的数据将创造新的知识，这些知识将被用来确定趋势和发展这一过程的先进理论。该项目的成果将推动电化学纳米科学和纳米技术的发展。

A new X-ray generator, for a Laue diffraction system, is urgently required to replace a defunct instrument. It will be part of a unique set-up for the growth, orientation, polishing, etching, and annealing of metallic single crystals for electrochemistry and electrocatalysis research. The X-ray generator has a similar design to the old one but is a modern instrument with new electronics, as well as data acquisition and processing capabilities. The unavailability of an operational X-ray generator puts on hold an entire, original research program. In addition, it makes it difficult for several HQP to pursue their planned research activities and to complete their graduate studies as planned. The instrument is also essential for our collaboration with Canadian and international researchers. The generator is crucial for cross-disciplinary HQP training, which covers electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, materials science, analytical chemistry, and corrosion science. The instrument will serve three major research programs. (1) My group will prepare Ni(hkl) electrodes and study their electro-oxidation and electro-dissolution in aqueous alkaline solutions. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements will complement electrochemistry data. We will examine the mechanisms and kinetics of the hydrogen evolution, hydrogen oxidation, oxygen evolution, and oxygen reduction reactions at Ni(hkl) electrodes. My group will also study the stability (corrosion) of Ni(hkl) electrodes in aqueous alkaline media. We will establish structure-catalytic activity-stability relationships for Ni materials, which will facilitate the design of active and stable Ni nanomaterials for alkaline water electrolyzers and fuel cells. (2) My group will prepare Pt(hkl) electrodes and study their electro-oxidation and electro-dissolution in aqueous acidic solutions. We will analyze the stability (corrosion) of Pt(hkl) electrodes in electrolytes outgassed using N2 and saturated with O2 or H2. Electrochemistry research will be supplemented by ICP-MS measurements. Again, the goal of this research is to establish structure-catalytic activity-stability relationships but for Pt materials. The outcome of this project will benefit the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, which employ Pt nanoparticles. (3) My group will prepare Pt(hkl), Au(hkl), and Rh(hkl) crystals having different orientations and will form nanoscopic layers using the under-potential deposition (UPD). The process facilitates the preparation of ultra-thin layers having a controlled chemical composition and fine-tuned physical properties. We will study the UPD of Ag and Cu on three substrates, having three different surface geometries (basal planes). The acquisition of a comprehensive set of data will create new knowledge that will be used to identify trends and to develop advanced theories of this process. The outcome of this project will advance electrochemical nanoscience and nanotechnology.**