RII Track-4: In Situ and Surface Sensitive Characterization of Fe-Ni(OH)2 Bimetallic Catalysts

几种重要的下一代能量转换技术（例如，燃料电池和电池）是基于电化学的，其中金属基催化剂用于促进所需的电化学反应。今天，许多使用的催化剂都是由贵金属组成的，比如铂，有必要用更丰富的替代品来取代这些贵金属，比如镍。该项目旨在解决在电化学环境中运行的铁掺杂镍催化剂的表面化学基础知识的关键空白。这项研究将促进电化学知识的发展，有利于能源技术的发展。该项目还为PI和研究生提供了一个独特的机会，参观内华达大学拉斯维加斯分校的一流研究设施，学习新的科学知识，并建立长期的富有成效的研究伙伴关系。技术描述镍基催化剂长期以来被认为是很好的理解和广泛的电化学应用非常有用，但现在需要对双金属铁镍电催化剂的详细了解。该奖学金的总体目标是在阿肯色大学（UA）及其材料合成活动与内华达大学拉斯维加斯分校（UNLV）之间建立长期合作关系，该大学是世界上首屈一指的软x射线光谱学研究中心之一。本提案的具体研究目标是利用软x射线光谱对一套铁镍氧化物/氢氧化物双金属薄膜和纳米颗粒催化剂进行详细的表面敏感表征研究。研究目标：(1)利用软x射线能谱技术对合成催化剂在超高真空（UHV）条件下的表面化学和电子结构（包括导带、价带和d带结构）以及电化学环境下应用电位的函数进行实验评价；(2)学习支持实验软x射线光谱学的基础物理理论；(3)培养分析和评价软x射线实验数据的技能。该项目的科学研究有望推进对铁镍催化剂表面化学的基本认识，从而加速整个电催化领域催化剂的发展。UA和UNLV之间发展的长期关系有望加强PI和UA科学界作为一个整体的研究活动，专业知识和教育，从而创造一个更具活力，科学竞争力和经济繁荣的阿肯色州。

Non-technical DescriptionSeveral important next-generation energy conversion technologies (e.g., fuel cells and batteries) are based on electrochemistry, where a metal-based catalyst is used to promote a desired electrochemical reaction. Today, many of the catalysts used are comprised of precious metals, such as platinum, and there is a need to replace these precious metals with more abundant alternatives, such as nickel. This project aims to address a critical gap in fundamental knowledge of the surface chemistry of iron-doped nickel catalysts that operate in electrochemical environments. This research will advance knowledge of electrochemistry and benefit energy technology development. This project also provides a unique opportunity for the PI and a graduate student to visit a premier research facility at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas to learn new scientific knowledge and establish long-term productive research partnerships.Technical DescriptionNickel-based catalysts have long been thought to be well-understood and highly useful for a wide range of electrochemical applications, but a detailed understanding of bimetallic iron-nickel electrocatalysts is now needed. The overall goal of this fellowship is to establish a long-term collaboration between the University of Arkansas (UA), and its activities in materials synthesis, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), which is one of the premier soft x-ray spectroscopy sites in the world. The specific research goal of this proposal is to use soft x-ray spectroscopy to conduct a detailed, surface sensitive characterization study of a suite of iron-nickel oxide/hydroxide bimetallic thin film and nanoparticle catalysts. The research objectives are to: (1) perform experiments to evaluate the surface chemistry and electronic structure (including the conduction band, the valence band, and the d-band structure) of synthesized catalysts under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and as a function of applied potential in an electrochemical environment with soft x-ray spectroscopy techniques; and (2) learn the fundamental physics theory that supports experimental soft x-ray spectroscopy; and (3) develop skills to analyze and evaluate data obtained from soft x-ray experiments. The scientific research of this project is expected to advance fundamental understanding of iron-nickel catalyst surface chemistry, thereby enabling accelerated catalyst development for the entire electrocatalysis field. The long-term relationship developed between UA and UNLV is expected to enhance the research activities, expertise, and education of the PI and the UA scientific community as a whole, thereby creating a more vibrant, scientifically competitive, and economically prosperous State of Arkansas.