CAREER: Low-Temperature Solution Synthesis Of Intermetallic Nanomaterials

技术说明本计划的目标是合成晚期过渡金属的金属间化合物，这些化合物表现出各种重要的物理性质，使它们处于现代科学技术的前沿。该项目的重点是了解如何使用化学方法在更低的温度下形成金属间化合物，通常是100到550度。这种温度状态(a)更节能，(b)可以形成在高温下不稳定的新结构，(c)可以深入了解固体是如何形成的。由于固体-固体扩散是合成金属间化合物的限速步骤，本项目将结合固态化学、溶液化学和纳米科学的概念和技术，开发和探索克服扩散问题的低温合成方法。这将导致(a)一个多样化的新化学反应工具箱，(b)不能用传统方法制造的功能性新纳米材料，以及(c)对纳米晶金属间化合物的形成机制和反应性的理解。作为这个跨学科项目的一部分，研究生和本科生将接受固态和溶液化学技术的培训。为了整合研究和教育，将开发一门新的无机材料化学研究驱动课程，它将包括课堂和实验室的组成部分，并向所有与材料相关的科学和工程专业的研究生和本科生开放。此外，将设立一个暑期奖学金，让传统上代表性不足的群体的学生参与这个现代固态化学项目。技术来源于固态材料，而新技术的前提是新材料的合成和创造。一些最重要的技术材料是金属间化合物，它是由金属元素组合形成的化合物。这些合成方法还可以产生纳米级的颗粒，这是制造薄膜、复合材料和多孔材料的重要组成部分，这些材料可能应用于燃料电池、电池和信息存储设备。该项目为本科生和研究生提供现代和传统领域的跨学科培训。它还包括创建一个新的材料化学课程，包括课堂和实验室的组成部分，以及一个夏季研究项目，重点是为代表性不足的群体提供机会。由于其物理性质，金属间纳米材料引起了工业界的高度兴趣，在这些领域受过培训的学生在就业市场上具有很强的竞争力。

TECHNICAL EXPLANATIONThe goal of this program is to synthesize intermetallic compounds of the late transition metals that exhibit a wide variety of important physical properties that place them at the forefront of modern science and technology. The project focuses on understanding how intermetallics can be formed using chemical methods that work at much lower temperatures, typically 100 to 550 degrees. This temperature regime (a) is more energy efficient, (b) can form new structures that are not stable at high temperatures, and (c) can provide insight into how the solids form. Because solid-solid diffusion is the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of intermetallic compounds, this project will combine concepts and techniques from solid-state chemistry, solution chemistry, and nanoscience to develop and explore low-temperature synthesis approaches that overcome diffusion problems. This will lead to (a) a diverse toolbox of new chemical reactions, (b) functional new nanomaterials that cannot be made using traditional methods, and (c) an understanding of the formation mechanisms and reactivity of nanocrystalline intermetallics. Graduate and undergraduate students will be trained in both solid-state and solution chemistry techniques as part of this cross-disciplinary project. To integrate research and education, a new research-driven course in inorganic materials chemistry will be developed, and it will contain both classroom and laboratory components and be accessible to graduate and undergraduate students from all materials-relevant science and engineering majors. In addition, a summer fellowship will be established to allow students from traditionally underrepresented groups to participate in this modern solid-state chemistry project. NON-TECHNICAL EXPLANATIONTechnology feeds off of solid-state materials, and the prerequisite to new technologies is the synthesis and creation of new materials. Some of the most important technological materials are intermetallics, which are chemical compounds that form from combinations of metallic elements. These synthetic methods also yield nanometer-size particles, which are important building blocks for creating thin films, composites, and porous materials for possible applications as fuel cells, batteries, and information storage devices. This project provides cross-disciplinary training for undergraduate and graduate students in modern and traditional areas. It also involves the creation of a new materials chemistry course with both classroom and laboratory components, as well as a summer research program focused on providing opportunities to individuals in underrepresented groups. Because of their physical properties, intermetallic nanomaterials are of high interest to industry, and students trained in these areas compete well in the job market.