Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoenergy Materials for Hydrogen (H2) Production by Water Splitting

可靠的可再生能源是当今世界各地对能源的需求和依存度不断增长的一个主要部门。在各种能源中，氢气因其丰富、零排放、可储存和能量密度高而最受欢迎。氢气由水裂解而成，水通过析氢反应(HER)和析氧反应(OER)分解为氢(H2)和氧(O2)气体。可靠而有效的分解水的方法是电解和光解。该方案的目的是合成两种纳米结构材料--电催化剂和光催化剂--用于分解水，通过电解和光解获得氢气。纳米结构的3D过渡金属氧化物(MO)、氢氧化物(MOH)、硫化物(MS)和磷化物(MP)将通过电沉积、水热和阳极氧化等方法合成。在电化学浴中加入适当的金属盐并控制pH值，可用于合成MO和MOH。利用硫化氢(H_2S)气体和次磷酸钠在适当的电解液中制备MS和MP。这些电催化剂和光催化剂将被用来制造电极，用于电解和光解利用HER生成氢气。该项目的成果将有助于深入理解用于水裂解制氢的纳米结构MO、MOH、MS、MP的合成和表征。在这个快速发展的技术世界中，HQP将接受这一需求不断增长的领域的培训。他们将包括研究生和本科生、博士后和研究专业人员，他们将获得关于材料合成和表征技术的全面和实践培训，这是加拿大经济的重要助推器。结果将发表在同行评议的期刊和会议记录上，提高加拿大在能源研究活动中的知名度。将建立新的和密集的现有加拿大和国际合作。

Reliable renewable energy is a major sector with the constantly growing needs and dependency of energy almost everywhere today. Among various energy sources, hydrogen is most favorable due to its abundance, zero emission, storability, and high energy density. Hydrogen can be produced by water splitting where water is split into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gases via hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Reliable and efficient ways to split water is by electrolysis and photolysis. The objective of this proposal is to synthesize two types of nanostructured materials - electrocatalysts and photocatalysts - for water splitting to obtain H2 gas by electrolysis and photolysis. Nanostructured 3d transition metal oxides (MO), hydroxides (MOH), sulphides (MS) and phosphides (MP) will be synthesized by electrodeposition, hydrothermal and anodization processes. Electrochemical baths with appropriate metal salts with controlled pH will be used to synthesize MO and MOH. MS and MP will be prepared by using hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas and sodium hypophosphite in appropriate electrolytes. These electrocatalysts and photocatalysts will be used to fabricate electrodes for electrolysis and photolysis to generate H2 using HER. The outcome of this program will lead to in-depth comprehension of synthesis and characterization of nanostructured MO, MOH, MS, MP for H2 production by water splitting processes. HQPs, will be trained in this field of increasing demand in this fast advancing technological world. They will comprise graduate and undergraduate students, postdocs and research professionals, who will acquire comprehensive and hands-on training on material synthesis and characterization techniques, which is essential as the Canadian economy booster. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, increasing Canada's visibility in energy research activities. New and intensive of existing Canadian and international collaborations will be established.