EAGER: CAS-Climate: Revitalizing Iron Hydroxide Electrode for Energy-Efficient Green Batteries by Promoting Ferrous- and Ferric- Hydroxides Redox

在这个由化学学部化学结构、动力学与机理B项目资助的项目中，伍斯特理工学院化学工程系的滕晓伟教授正在开发具有有趣氧化还原性能的新型氢氧化铁层状材料。本研究旨在开发氢氧化铁层状材料的特性，使其可作为铁镍碱性电池或铁空气碱性电池的阳极。该项目位于无机材料、材料化学和能量存储的界面，因此非常适合各级科学家的教育。该项目加强了该组织的教育和推广工作，通过一系列针对公众、高中生和教师、本科生和研究生的活动，增加代表性不足群体的科学参与和参与。作为地壳中含量第四丰富的元素，铁（Fe）可能满足绿色电池的几乎所有标准，例如各种氧化态、地理可及性、低成本和环境效益。然而，在现代能源供应系统中，铁阳极材料由于充电效率不高和放电能力差而面临挑战。值得注意的是，Fe(OH)2的放电形成Fe3O4，阻碍了氧化还原过程，造成可循环性损失。本项目旨在探索层状Fe（OH)2材料与阴离子（如碳酸盐）和水分子之间的相互作用，以回答以下问题：1）如何控制Fe(OH)2材料的局部结构（如结构缺陷）和远程顺序（如层间距离），以有利于二价阴离子（碳酸盐）的可逆插入和提取？2)阴离子插入Fe(OH)2层间区如何影响Fe的氧化态，促进FeOOH形成的Fe2+/Fe3+完全转化，抑制Fe3O4的形成？3)如何控制Fe(OH)2、阴离子和水分子之间的相互作用，使其在长期循环过程中保持稳定的层状结构？该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In this project, funded by the Chemical Structure, Dynamics & Mechanisms B Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Xiaowei Teng of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is developing new classes of iron hydroxide layered materials with interesting redox properties. This research aims to exploit the characteristics of iron hydroxide layered materials, which can be used as the anode in iron-nickel alkaline batteries or iron-air alkaline batteries. The project lies at the interface of inorganic material, materials chemistry, and energy storage and is therefore well suited for the education of scientists at all levels. This project enhances education and outreach efforts by this group to increase scientific engagement and participation from underrepresented groups through a range of activities aimed at the public, high school students and teachers, undergraduate students, and graduate students.As the fourth most abundant element in the earth's crust, iron (Fe) potentially satisfies nearly all criteria for a green battery, such as various oxidation states, geographic accessibility, low cost, and environmental benefits. However, Fe anode materials face challenges in modern energy supply systems due to insufficient charging efficiency and poor discharge capability. Notably, the discharge of Fe(OH)2 forms Fe3O4, which impedes the redox process and causes cyclability loss. This project aims to probe the interplay between layered Fe(OH)2 material with anion (e.g., carbonate) and water molecules to answer the following questions: 1) how to control the local structure (e.g., structural defect) and long-range order (e.g., interlayer distance) of Fe(OH)2 materials to favor the reversible insertion and extraction of the divalent anions (carbonate)? 2) how does the anion insertion into Fe(OH)2 interlayer region impact the oxidation state of Fe species to encourage the Fe2+/Fe3+ complete conversion by FeOOH formation and discourage Fe3O4 formation? 3) how to control the interaction between Fe(OH)2, anion, and water molecules to maintain a stable layered structure during the long-term cycling?This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.