Collaborative Research: Environmentally Sustainable Anode Materials for Electrochemical Energy Storage using Particulate Matter Waste from the Combustion of Fossil Fuels

颗粒物是一种重要的空气污染物，它与大都市地区的心血管和呼吸系统过早死亡以及肺癌有关。由于这些高度浓缩的有害致癌物质的回收尚不可行，每天都有数吨的空气污染物被释放到空气中。本研究计划旨在重新利用有毒燃烧废物作为储能应用的宝贵材料。该研究将产生关于颗粒物质基材料的物理性质与其在储能装置中的电化学性能之间关系的知识。研究和教育的结合将通过几种机制来实现，包括为大学生开设电化学选修课程，为高中教师举办讲习班，以及为来自代表性不足人口的当地高中生开展外展活动。该项目的学生研究人员将在工程、电化学、材料科学和物理等跨学科领域接受培训。教育工作将加强参与开发更清洁技术的工业的工程师队伍。本项目旨在确定碳基废物作为电荷存储材料和导电碳添加剂在储能应用中的电化学和物理性质之间的关系。该项目有三个具体目标。第一个目标是制定从海洋和远洋船只等环境废物来源捕获和处理微粒物质的方法。这些来源产生的颗粒物质含有额外的污染元素，如硫。第二个目标是通过进行一系列显微镜、光谱学和电化学测量来表征锂离子和钠离子电池颗粒物质的物理、化学和电化学特性。第三个目标是通过进行原位应力/应变测量和非原位结构、化学和形态表征来确定微粒基电极的电荷存储机制和化学机械稳定性。在能源储存装置中有毒颗粒物质的回收和再利用方面的创新进展将有助于重塑能源管理和环境系统的设计。该项目由CBET环境可持续性项目和CBET电化学系统项目共同资助。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。

Particulate matter is a significant air pollutant, and it has been linked to premature cardiovascular and respiratory deaths in metropolitan areas, as well as lung cancer. Since the recycling of these highly concentrated hazardous carcinogenic materials is not yet viable, tons of these air pollutants are released into the air every day. This research program aims to re-purpose toxic combustion waste as a valuable material for energy storage applications. The study will generate knowledge about the relationship between the physical properties of particulate matter-based materials and their electrochemical performance in energy storage devices. The integration of research and education will be achieved via several mechanisms, including developing an electrochemical elective course for college students, workshops for high-school teachers, and outreach activities for local high school students from underrepresented populations. Student researchers in the program will be trained in the interdisciplinary areas of engineering, electrochemistry, material science, and physics. Educational efforts will strengthen the pipeline of engineers for industries involved in developing cleaner technologies. This project aims to identify the relationship between the electrochemical and physical properties of carbon-based waste in energy storage applications as a charge-storage material and as a conductive carbon additive. The project has three specific aims. The first aim is to develop methodologies to capture and process particulate matter from environmental waste sources such as marine and ocean-going vessels. The particulate matter generated from these sources contains additional pollution elements, such as sulfur. The second aim is to characterize the physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties of particulate matter for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries by conducting a series of microscopy, spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements. The third aim is to identify charge storage mechanisms and chemo-mechanical stability of particulate matter-based electrodes by conducting in-situ stress/strain measurements and ex-situ structural, chemical, and morphological characterizations. Innovative advancements in recycling and re-use of toxic particulate matter in energy storage devices will contribute to reshaping design of energy management and environmental systems.This project is co-funded by the CBET Environmental Sustainability program and the CBET Electrochemical Systems program.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.