Single Atom Catalysts and Atomic Scale Design of Interface for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage

人们越来越意识到，纳米技术将对能源的生产和储存产生深远的影响。孙先生将继续利用他在纳米技术方面的专业知识来应对燃料电池和固态锂电池的关键挑战，但在未来六年里，他的工作将在这项提案中突出从纳米到原子规模的更小规模。*这项提案的目标是领导一项以原子层沉积(ALD)和分子层沉积(MLD)技术为基础的强有力的研究计划，用于能源应用。这项建议包括两个主题的基础研究：(I)单原子材料作为质子交换膜(PEM)燃料电池的新型催化剂；(Ii)下一代全固态电池界面的原子尺度设计和工程。一个重要的方面是应用各种先进的表征技术(包括原位/手术)来进行基本的理解。发现基金(DG)支持基础研究和基础科学，而孙博士的其他资金支持更多的应用研究和实际应用。*对于PEM燃料电池来说，成本和耐用性是在PEMFC系统变得经济可行之前必须克服的两大障碍。铂的成本仍然占燃料电池成本的很大比例，但铂仍然是燃料电池中最好的催化剂。因此，开发一种低成本、稳定的超低铂负载量催化剂将为我们提供缩小成本和性能差距的手段，从而达到商业可行性。单原子催化剂是一种很有前途的选择，但其合成的可控性和稳定性有待于解决。这一领域的两个具体目标包括：(I)通过ALD合成单原子或簇状铂基催化剂；(Ii)通过稳定剂和催化剂载体的设计来稳定单原子催化剂。单原子催化剂有望提供更高的催化性能、更高的催化剂利用率、更高的耐久性和更长的燃料电池使用寿命。近年来，全固态电池受到了越来越多的研究和工业关注。SSB的优点是更安全和更高的能量密度。然而，SSB中仍然存在一些关键的挑战，包括界面问题和金属保护。这两个具体目标是：(I)稳定固态锂电池电极和电解液之间的界面；(Ii)保护所有固态电池的锂/钠金属。预计该项目的成果将有助于稳定和长寿命固态电池的生产。*该计划的成功完成将加速燃料电池和固态电池的商业化进程，同时减少环境污染，从而有利于加拿大的工业和全球纳米科技界。

There is a growing awareness that nanotechnology will have a profound impact on energy generation and storage. Dr. Sun will continue to use his expertise in nanotechnology to address critical challenges in fuel cells and solid-state Li batteries but, in next six year, his work will highlight even smaller scales from nano scale to atomic scale in this proposal.**** The objective of this proposed proposal is to lead a vigorous research program that builds on atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) techniques for energy applications. This proposal covers fundamental studies in two themes: (i) single atom materials as novel catalyst for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells; and (ii) atomic scale design and engineering of interface for next-generation all solid-state batteries. An important aspect is to apply various advanced characterization techniques (including in-situ/operando) for the fundamental understanding. The Discovery Grant (DG) supports fundamental studies and basic science while Dr. Sun's other funding supports more applied studies and practical applications.**** For PEM fuel cells, cost and durability are two major roadblocks that have to be overcome before the PEMFC system can become economically viable. The cost of Pt-based still accounts for a big percentage of the cost of fuel cells but Pt is still the best catalysts in fuel cells. Therefore, the development of a low cost and stable catalyst with ultra-low Pt loading will provide us the means to reduce the cost and performance gaps towards commercial viability. Single atom catalyst is a very promising choice but its controllable synthesis and stability need to be well addressed. The two specific objectives in this area include: (i) synthesis of single-atom or cluster Pt-based catalysts by ALD, and (ii) stabilization of single atom catalyst by design of stabilizers and support of the catalysts. It is expected that the single atom catalysts will be ideal materials for providing a higher catalytic performance, high catalyst utilization, high durability, and a longer fuel cell operational life.**** All solid-state batteries (SSBs) have been attracting more than ever research and industrial interests recently. The advantages of SSBs are safer and higher energy density. However, there are still some key challenges including interfacial issues and metal protections in SSBs. The two specific objectives are: (i) stabilizing the interface between electrodes and electrolytes for solid-state Li batteries; and (ii) protection of Li/Na metals for all solid-state batteries. It is expected that the outcome of this project will go towards aiding the production of stable and long-life solid-state batteries.**** The successful completion of the program will be of benefit to Canadian industry, and to the global nanotechnology community by accelerating the fuel cell and solid-state battery commercialization process while simultaneously reducing environmental pollution.******