Nanoparticles with structures that mimic enzymes for electrocatalysis

该项目旨在创建一类新的电催化剂，其结构受到酶的启发。电催化剂是现代能源经济的支柱。在该项目开发的新型电催化剂中，其目的是通过纳米孔将活性位点与本体溶液在空间上分开，就像酶一样。这种结构允许从本体溶液改变反应环境，将物质主动运输到活性位点，并进行级联反应。这应该在活性、选择性和进行多步反应的能力方面具有优势。预期的结果是性能更好的氢燃料电池和更有效地将二氧化碳转化为有用的有机化合物。

This project aims to create a new class of electrocatalysts with architectures inspired by enzymes. Electrocatalysts are the backbone of the modern energy economy. In the new electrocatalysts developed by the project, the intention is the active sites will be spatially separated from the bulk solution by nanopores, as enzymes do. This architecture allows the reaction environment to be altered from the bulk solution, active transport of species to the active site and cascade reactions to be performed. This should give advantages in activity, selectivity and the ability to perform multistep reactions. The intended outcomes are better performing hydrogen fuel cells and more effective conversion of carbon dioxide into useful organic compounds.