Processing and characterisation of novel self-assembled heterocatalysts

该项目的目的是使用一种名为DNA折纸的新技术来处理和表征自组装的杂催化剂。这将产生所需的纳米级结构的铂催化剂，并增强稳定性。提出的研究目标是：1.通过一种称为DNA折纸的技术，在最初的加工阶段使用DNA链作为催化剂载体来加工和生产自组装杂催化剂。2.通过石墨化过程将DNA载体转化为碳基载体，使产品性质更适合其潜在的应用，即用于发电的燃料电池。3.通过考察温度、压力或缓冲液类型等工艺参数对所测最终产品属性的影响，探索加工方法的优化。此外，可以研究改进的纯化技术，以提高最终产品的质量，并使产品回收率更高。4.采用适当的表征方法，如X射线研究、化学吸附技术(以确定铂金属在结构中的分散性)和透射电子显微镜或扫描电子显微镜来观察催化剂结构的形貌，可以测量最终产品的性质。可以使用红外光谱等光谱技术来测量催化剂产品的物理和化学性质。5.可以将产品性质和形态结果与传统杂化催化剂的结果进行比较，并且可以相应地优化加工方法，以能够建立具有所需属性的纳米杂化催化剂产品。

The aims of this project are to process and characterise self assembled heterocatalysts using a novel technique, known as DNA Origami. This should produce platinum catalysts of the required nanoscale structure with an enhanced stability. The proposed research objectives are:1. To process and produce self assembled heterocatalysts using DNA strands as the catalyst support in the initial processing stages via a technique known as DNA origami. 2. To convert the DNA support into a carbon based support via a graphitisation process, to make the product properties more suitable for its potential application i.e in fuel cells for the generation of power. 3. To explore the optimisation of the processing method by investigating the influence of process parameters such as temperature, pressure or the type of buffer employed on the final product attributes measured. In addition, improved purification techniques can be studied to increase the final product quality and enable higher product recovery. 4. The final product properties can be measured using appropriate characterisation methods such as X-ray studies, chemisorption techniques (to determine the platinum metal dispersion in structure) and Transmission Electron Microscopy or Scanning Electron Microscopy to observe the morphology of the catalyst structure. The physical and chemical properties of the catalyst product can be measured using spectroscopic techniques like infra-red spectroscopy. 5. The product properties and morphology results can be compared to those of a traditional heterocatalyst and the processing method can be optimised accordingly to enable the establishment of a nano-heterocatalyst product with the desired attributes.