CAREER: Black Cobalt Oxide Nanowire Arrays: Synthesis, Properties, and Energy Applications

技术总结DMR固态与材料化学(SSMC)计划支持的这一职业项目的目标是研究Co3O4纳米线阵列的基本性质及其在高效太阳能收集和转换方面的应用。Co3O4是一种令人兴奋的能源和环境科学材料。它是水氧化的最高周转频率之一。它是锂离子电池的高容量负极材料。黑色氧化钴也是最有前景的高温太阳能选择性吸收材料之一。与薄膜或体相对应的纳米线阵列相比，纳米线阵列具有比表面积大、光吸收增强、光激发载流子有效分离和收集等结构优势。Pi的团队最近发现了一种简便的方法来生长介孔单晶Co3O4纳米线阵列，并展示了它们作为锂离子电池负极的优越性能。本项目旨在研究它们的基本生长机制，研究它们的基本电学、光学和催化性能，并探索它们在析氧反应、光电化学电池和太阳能选择性吸收方面的应用。钴氧化物是一种令人兴奋的、用途广泛的太阳能收集和储存材料。该项目的重点是了解氧化钴纳米线阵列的化学，预计这将在将水分解为氢和氧分子以及将太阳能转化为热能方面开辟大量机会。该项目还涉及将PI在能源材料方面的研究兴趣与建立强大的多层次能源教育计划的教育目标相结合。例如，PI将把太阳能选择性吸收器的研究与为中小学师生建造太阳能灶的动手活动结合起来。其他活动包括：(1)开发一个新的关于可持续能源技术的新生研讨会课程；(2)修改现有的普通化学课程；(3)为俄亥俄州本科生研究联盟(OCUR-REEL)开发研究模块：研究经验以增强学习(OCUR-REEL)；以及(4)招募少数族裔和女性本科生参与能源材料的研究。通过这些活动，国际和平协会希望建立一个坚实的能源和环境科学教育项目，这对我们社会的可持续发展至关重要。

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe objective of this CAREER project supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC) program in DMR is to investigate the fundamental properties of Co3O4 nanowire arrays and their applications for efficient solar energy harvesting and conversion. Co3O4 is an exciting material for energy & environmental science. It has one of the highest turnover frequencies for the oxidation of water. It is a high-capacity anode material for Li-ion batteries. Black cobalt oxide is also one of the most promising materials for high-temperature solar selective absorbers. Nanowire arrays have the structural advantages of large surface area, enhanced light absorption, and efficient separation and collection of photo-excited charge carriers over thin film or bulk counterparts. The PI's group has recently discovered a facile method for growing mesoporous single-crystalline Co3O4 nanowire arrays and demonstrated their superior performance as an anode in Li-ion batteries. This project is to investigate their fundamental growth mechanism, study their basic electrical, optical and catalytic properties and explore their applications for the oxygen evolution reaction, photoelectrochemical cells, and solar selective absorbers. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY Cobalt oxide is an exciting and versatile material for solar energy harvesting and storage. This project is focused on understanding the chemistry of cobalt oxide nanowire arrays, which is expected to open up substantial opportunities in splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules, as well as converting solar energy into heat. This project also involves integrating the PI's research interests in energy materials with the educational goal of building a strong multi-tiered energy education program. For example, the PI will integrate the research on solar selective absorbers with hands-on activities of building solar cookers for elementary and middle school teachers and students. Other activities consist of: (1) developing a new freshman seminar class in sustainable energy technologies, (2) modifying the existing general chemistry curriculum, (3) developing research modules for the Ohio Consortium for Undergraduate Research: Research Experience to Enhance Learning (OCUR-REEL), and (4) recruiting minority and women undergraduate students to take part in research on energy materials. Through these activities, the PI hopes to build a solid education program on energy & environmental science, which is vital for the sustainable development of our society.