Chemistry and materials development under extreme conditions

我提议在极端条件下，特别是高压下，大力扩展我在化学和材料科学领域的研究计划。压力是热力学的第三个基本参数，对调节材料的结构和性能起着至关重要的作用。在高压下，分子的键合模式发生显著改变，从而导致新结构的形成。在我的实验室里，金刚石砧细胞被用来在很宽的温度范围内实现静态高压条件。在高压的总主题下，我们将开展几个项目。首先，我们将系统地研究一些基本分子的高压行为，如碳氢化合物、配位配合物和主基团化合物。对这类分子的研究将有助于对远远超出环境条件的各种物理和化学现象的基本理解。此外，我们将研究各种纳米材料，包括金属氧化物和氮化硼纳米管在高压下的结构和性能。此外，我们将开发具有新性能和潜在工业应用的功能材料，如储氢材料和沸石材料。为了理解各种高压现象背后的机制，对模型系统的动力学研究将提供关键信息。与此同时，我们将开发适用于高压研究的分析工具，包括拉曼光谱、红外光谱以及x射线衍射和光谱。许多这些技术将在同步加速器辐射设施中发展。总的来说，我们的研究项目不仅有助于高压科学的基础研究，而且可能对加拿大的几个经济部门，特别是材料工业和先进制造业产生重大影响。

I propose a significant expansion of my research program in the area of chemistry and materials science under extreme conditions, in particular, at high pressures. Pressure constitutes the third fundamental thermodynamic parameter which plays a critical role in regulating the structures and properties of materials. At high pressures, bonding patterns of molecules are significantly altered thus leading to the formation of new structures. In my laboratory, diamond anvil cells are used to achieve static high pressure conditions over a broad temperature range. Under the general theme of high pressure, we will carry out several projects. First, we will systematically investigate the high-pressure behavior of some fundamental molecules, such as hydrocarbons, coordination complexes and main group compounds. Studies on these classes of molecules will contribute to the fundamental understanding of various physical and chemical phenomena far beyond ambient conditions. In addition, we will investigate the structures and properties of a variety of nanomaterials, including metal oxides and boron nitride nanotubes under high pressures. Furthermore, we will develop functional materials with novel properties and potential industrial applications, such as hydrogen storage materials and zeolite materials. To understand the mechanisms underlying various high pressure phenomena, kinetic studies on model systems will provide critical information. In parallel to these efforts, we will develop analytical tools suitable for high-pressure research, including Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy as well as X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy. Many of these techniques will be developed at synchrotron radiation facilities. Overall, our research program will not only contribute to the basic research in high-pressure science, but may make significant impact on several economic sectors of Canada, especially the materials industry and advanced manufacturing.