Interfacial Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis: Understanding and Directing Electrochemical Processes at the Molecular Level

界面电化学和电催化：在分子水平上理解和指导电化学过程

• 批准号: RGPIN-2022-04316
• 负责人: Jerkiewicz, Gregory
• 金额: $ 6.7万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=747926
• 关键词: Interfacial; Electrochemistry; Electrocatalysis; Understanding; Directing

The proposed research builds on our recent achievements that include the invention of controlled atmosphere flame fusion (CAFF) for the growth of single crystals of non-noble transition metals and the development of a new experimental setup for research in frozen and hot aqueous electrolyte solutions. For decades, surface electrochemistry focused mainly on the behaviour of Pt, Au, and Ag monocrystalline electrodes due to limitations in experimental instrumentation and methods. The invention of the CAFF is a breakthrough because it enables experimental research at monocrystalline electrodes of non-noble transition metals, effectively starting a new research direction in interfacial electrochemistry and electrocatalysis. , which will benefit the electrochemical energy technologies and corrosion science. The acquisition of a custom-built environmental chamber allows us to study electrochemical phenomena and reactions at extreme conditions, both frozen and very hot aqueous electrolyte solutions. Although many electrochemical energy storage and generation technologies operate at elevated temperatures, the majority of research is conducted at the ambient conditions. The proposed research has three themes that take full advantage of our new instruments. *** Theme 1 focuses on the electrochemical and electrocatalytic behaviour of monocrystalline Ni, Fe, and Co electrodes in aqueous alkaline solutions. We will study the growth of surface oxides (passivity development), corrosion stability, and electrocatalytic activity towards the hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER, HOR), and the oxygen evolution and reduction reactions (OER, ORR), thus processes which take place in alkaline fuel cells and water electrolysers. We will also examine the nucleation, growth, and adhesion of H2(g) and O2(g) bubbles in relation to the surface arrangement of atoms at Ni, Fe, and Co electrodes. *** Theme 2 is dedicated to the electrochemical and electrocatalytic behaviour of bulk and nanoscopic Pt materials in hot aqueous acidic solutions. We will analyze the electro-adsorption of H, surface oxide formation, and their stability and (electro-)dissolution. *** Theme 3 proposes exploratory research on the electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of Re, an inexpensive noble metal that could possibly replace Pt in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and water electrolysers. Because little is known about the behaviour of Re under electrochemical conditions, we will initially study its double layer structure, electro-adsorption of H, surface oxide formation and stability, and eventually the HER, HOR, OER, and ORR. *** The cross-disciplinary training of HQP is a central and important part of the project. New skills developed through international internships, collaborations with academic and industrial partners, and participation in conferences and workshops will allow HQP to secure prominent jobs in the academia, private sector, and government.

拟议的研究建立在我们最近的成就，包括发明可控气氛火焰熔融（CAFF）的非贵金属单晶的生长和开发一种新的实验装置，用于研究冷冻和热电解质水溶液。几十年来，由于实验仪器和方法的限制，表面电化学主要集中在Pt、Au和Ag单晶电极的行为上。CAFF的发明是一个突破，因为它使非贵金属过渡金属单晶电极的实验研究成为可能，有效地开启了界面电化学和电催化的新研究方向。这对电化学能源技术和腐蚀科学都有着重要的意义。购买定制的环境室使我们能够研究极端条件下的电化学现象和反应，包括冷冻和非常热的电解质水溶液。虽然许多电化学能量存储和发电技术在高温下运行，但大多数研究都是在环境条件下进行的。拟议的研究有三个主题，充分利用我们的新工具。* 主题1侧重于单晶Ni、Fe和Co电极在碱性水溶液中的电化学和电催化行为。我们将研究表面氧化物的生长（钝化发展），腐蚀稳定性和对析氢和氧化反应（HER，HOR）的电催化活性，以及析氧和还原反应（OER，ORR），从而在碱性燃料电池和水电解槽中发生的过程。我们还将研究成核，生长和粘附的H2（g）和O2（g）气泡在Ni，Fe和Co电极的原子的表面排列。* 主题2致力于本体和纳米级Pt材料在热酸性水溶液中的电化学和电催化行为。我们将分析H的电吸附，表面氧化物的形成，以及它们的稳定性和（电）溶解。* 主题3提出了对Re的电化学和电催化性能的探索性研究，Re是一种廉价的贵金属，可能在聚合物电解质膜（PEM）燃料电池和水电解槽中取代Pt。由于很少有人知道Re在电化学条件下的行为，我们将首先研究其双层结构，H的电吸附，表面氧化物的形成和稳定性，并最终HER，HOR，OER和ORR。* HQP的跨学科培训是该项目的核心和重要组成部分。通过国际实习，与学术和工业合作伙伴的合作以及参加会议和研讨会开发的新技能将使HQP能够在学术界，私营部门和政府中获得突出的工作。