Spectroscopy-led Development of Organic Photocatalysts for Sustainable Energy Production

光谱主导的有机光催化剂开发用于可持续能源生产

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-05521
• 负责人: Godin, Robert
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: University of British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=714812
• 关键词: Spectroscopy; led; Development; Organic; Photocatalysts

Renewable solar energy needs to be paired with energy storage to overcome the hourly mismatch between solar energy supply and energy demands. Inspired by the natural photosynthesis of plants, solar energy can be stored in high-density chemical bonds. Solar fuels - high energy molecules generated from sunlight - can be produced by photocatalysts that drive water splitting (to make H2) or photoreduction of CO2 (to make liquid fuels). To accelerate the transition to a low-carbon society, cost-effective photocatalysts that produce solar fuels with improved efficiencies must be developed. Carbon nitride (CNx) has emerged as a leading cost-effective photocatalyst. CNx can be synthesized by simple heat treatment of inexpensive molecules and has the requisite (photo)chemical stability. High photocatalytic efficiencies (quantum yields up to 50%) for H2 photogeneration have been demonstrated using sacrificial oxidation substrates. To close the sustainable solar fuel cycle, these substrates must be replaced with H2O, the product generated when energy is released. However, H2O oxidation is more challenging. The resulting solar-to-fuel efficiency microscopy (TAM) to map out processes such as charge trapping, charge accumulation and interfacial charge transfer. Spectroscopy will yield crucial photophysical and structural insights needed to direct synthetic modifications of photocatalysts. The synergistic spectroscopic and synthetic approach will optimize CNx morphology and internal photophysics, required for both efficient H2 production and CO2 photoreduction. My long-term vision is to take advantage of the optimized CNx photophysics to develop solar-driven carbon capture and utilization, using CNx and light to sequester CO2 within materials with long lifespans. HQP involved in the research program will gain a unique combination of synthetic, spectroscopic, communication, and management skills that make them attractive to the growing clean technology sector. HQP will contribute to the clean energy sector and the important H2 industry that will surpass US$200 Bn by the end of 2025, developing Canada's economy and helping reach lower CO2 emissions targets.

可再生太阳能需要与能源储存相结合，以克服太阳能供应和能源需求之间的小时不匹配。受植物自然光合作用的启发，太阳能可以储存在高密度的化学键中。太阳能燃料——由阳光产生的高能分子——可以由光催化剂生产，光催化剂驱动水分解（生成H2）或光还原二氧化碳（生成液体燃料）。为了加速向低碳社会的过渡，必须开发成本效益高、生产效率更高的太阳能燃料的光催化剂。