CAREER: Energy Storage and Conversion- Coupling the Direct Electrodeposition of Crystalline Intermetallics with Targeted Outreach to Elementary Schools

该研究项目由固态和材料化学（SSMC）计划支持，将开发晶体过渡金属锑化物的直接电沉积，锑化物是一类对许多先进技术具有广泛物理性质的材料。这项工作的中心重点是开发高容量锂离子电池阳极材料的稳健制备。传统上用于合成目标化合物的高温方法由于缺乏对最终产物化学计量的控制而受到困扰。相比之下，电沉积是一种低温方法，可以更好地控制化学计量，从而改善物理性能。最终目标是在室温下用水直接电沉积一系列阳极材料。所得到的薄膜和纳米线将直接沉积在电流收集器上，在电池测试之前不需要粘合剂。该提案的扩展部分将重点放在增加可再生能源（在交通运输的背景下），以流行的哈利波特为基础的扩展显示，科罗拉多州立大学的本科化学俱乐部已经发展起来。通过建立一个非常成功的项目，拟议的推广将以一种有望产生巨大影响的方式覆盖更广泛的学生。本研究计划的目标是开发用于锂离子可充电电池阳极材料的强大合成方法。所选择的合成方法是电沉积，它适合工业规模生产，价格低廉，并且可以在无毒溶剂（如水）中进行。所提出的综合研究和教学目标的直接结果将体现在研究生和本科生获得的培训质量上，无论是在对最先进的能源研究至关重要的材料的合成和表征方面，还是在所提议的外展展示的背景下的课程开发和指导方面。最先进的研究对于招收和留住有才华的、多样化的学生群体至关重要。该提案的教育部分所描述的节目将用于增加科罗拉多州四年级和五年级小学生对科学和可再生能源的知识基础和热情。

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis research project, supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC) program will develop direct electrodeposition of crystalline transition metal antimonides, a class of materials that exhibit a wide range of physical properties critical to many advanced technologies. A central focus of this work is on developing robust preparations of materials for high capacity anodes in Li-ion batteries. The high-temperature methods traditionally used to synthesize the target compounds are plagued by lack of control over the stoichiometry of the final products. Electrodeposition, in contrast, is a low-temperature method, which will lead to greater control over the stoichiometry and hence, improved physical properties. The ultimate goal is the direct electrodeposition of a range of anode materials from water at room temperature. The resulting films and nanowires will be directly deposited onto a current collector with no need for binders prior to battery testing. The outreach portion of this proposal will focus on adding renewable energy (in the context of transportation) to the popular Harry Potter based outreach shows that the undergraduate Chemistry Club at Colorado State University has already developed. By building on a wildly successful program, the proposed outreach will reach a wider range of students with an approach that promises to have high impact.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe goal of this research program is the development of robust synthetic methods for materials with applications as anodes in Li-ion rechargeable batteries. The synthetic approach chosen, electrodeposition, is amenable to industrial scale production, is inexpensive, and can be performed in nontoxic solvents such as water. The direct result of the integrated research and teaching goals proposed will be manifested in the quality of training that graduate and undergraduate students obtain, both in the synthesis and characterization of materials critical to state-of-the-art energy research and in curriculum development and mentoring in the context of the proposed outreach shows. State-of-the-art research is crucial for recruiting and retaining a talented, diverse group of students. The shows described in the education section of this proposal will be used to increase the knowledge base of and excitement for science and renewable energy for fourth and fifth grade elementary school children throughout Colorado.