SusChEM: Water Splitting Photocatalysis with Doped Metal Oxide Nanocrystals

在这个化学催化项目中，加州大学戴维斯分校的Frank Osterloh正在开发一种催化剂，可以利用阳光将水转化为氢和氧。这项技术创造了一种无碳的氢燃料途径，只使用阳光作为可再生能源。催化剂包含光吸收、电荷分离和水转化的成分。它们是由廉价的成分合成的，并通过一系列技术进行研究。这项工作为了解阳光如何与小颗粒相互作用以及光化学能量如何转化为燃料提供了新的见解。通过对清洁能源技术的贡献，该项目具有重大的社会影响。Osterloh博士还为研究生和本科生创造了无机化学和太阳能转换方面的培训机会。他积极参与外展活动，向社区和代表性不足的学生团体展示化学演示，并开发在线材料，向公众宣传可持续能源的必要性。化学催化项目支持加州大学戴维斯分校的Frank Osterloh开发微异质光催化剂系统，该系统可以在阳光照射下电解水，而不需要任何外部偏压。催化剂包含光吸收、电荷分离、水氧化和水还原的组分。它们是由丰富的元素合成的，使用可扩展的化学反应和化学组装的组合，并通过显微镜，光学和电学技术进行表征。通过辐照试验和电化学实验建立了它们的水分解功能，并利用表面光电压谱法定量了它们的电荷分离特性。该项目为掺杂钛基金属氧化物的光化学电荷生成和水光电解提供了新的见解。此外，还研究了材料的光催化性能与其颗粒大小和表面组成之间的定量关系，并特别考虑了颗粒的能量学和动力学以及电解质环境。此外，该项目通过为研究生和本科生提供有关纳米级无机材料的合成、处理和理解及其光物理技术和电化学表征的实践培训，具有更广泛的影响。Osterloh教授还开发了新的课程内容、实验室实验、化学演示和在线材料，重点是招募下一代STEM学生，包括代表性不足的少数民族，从事可再生能源研究。

Water Splitting Photocatalysis with Doped Metal Oxide NanocrystalsIn this Chemical Catalysis project, Frank Osterloh of the University of California at Davis is developing catalysts that can convert water into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight. This technology creates a carbon-free pathway to hydrogen fuel using only sunlight as a renewable energy source. The catalysts incorporate components for light absorption, electric charge separation, and water conversion. They are synthesized from inexpensive components and they are studied with a range of techniques. This work provides new insight into how sunlight interacts with small particles and how photochemical energy is converted into fuel. The project has significant societal broader impact through contributions to clean energy technology. Dr. Osterloh also has created training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students in inorganic chemistry and solar energy conversion. He is active in outreach activities that present chemical demonstrations to the community and to underrepresented student groups, and develops online materials, which are made available to educate the public about the need for sustainable energy.The Chemical Catalysis program supports Frank Osterloh at the University of California at Davis to develop microheterogeneous photocatalyst systems that can electrolyze water under sunlight illumination without any applied external bias. The catalysts incorporate components for light absorption, charge separation, water oxidation and water reduction. They are synthesized from abundant elements using a combination of scalable chemical reactions and chemical assembly and are characterized with microscopic, optical and electrical techniques. Their water splitting function is established through irradiation tests and electrochemistry, and their charge separation properties are quantified with surface photovoltage spectroscopy. This project provides new insights into photochemical charge generation and water photoelectrolysis with doped titania-based metal oxides. New quantitative relationships between the photocatalytic properties of the materials and their particle size and surface composition are also developed, with special consideration of the particle energetics and kinetics, and the electrolyte environment. Furthermore, the project has broader impacts by providing hands-on training to graduate and undergraduate students in the synthesis, handling, and understanding of nanoscale inorganic materials and their characterization with photophysical techniques and electrochemistry. Professor Osterloh also develops new course content, laboratory experiments, chemical demonstrations, and online materials, with an emphasis of recruiting the next generation of STEM students, including underrepresented minorities, for renewable energy research.