Chemistry and materials 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。压力是热力学的三个基本参数之一，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，从而形成新的结构和材料。在我们的实验室中，金刚石砧细胞用于实现静态高压条件和宽温度范围。在高压下渲染的材料将使用各种技术进行原位结构表征，包括振动光谱、x射线衍射和许多基于同步加速器的探针。有了这些强大的工具，我们将能够在高压研究的新前沿开展广泛的项目，如d-嵌段金属配合物的研究，高压光化学和稀有气体化学。这些研究试图在分子水平上深入了解高压作用对材料的化学和物理原理，这些原理的利用可能会带来新的应用。例如，我们可能能够使用压力和形态的组合作为驱动力来调整各种纳米材料的结构和特性，以提高它们在某些应用中的性能，例如化学传感。此外，我们将开发具有理想性能和新功能的新材料，如储氢材料和使用高压技术的沸石材料。总的来说，我们的研究项目不仅将为基础高压科学做出贡献，而且可能对一些全球需求的问题产生重大影响，例如迫切需要新材料和可持续能源。

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 one of the three fundamental thermodynamic parameters which plays a critical role in regulating the structures and properties of materials. At high pressures, bonding patterns of molecules are significantly altered leading to the formation of new structures and materials. In our laboratory, diamond anvil cells are used to achieve static high pressure conditions and over a broad temperature range. Materials rendered at high pressures will be structurally characterized in situ using various techniques, including vibrational spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and many synchrotron based probes. Armed with these powerful tools, we will be able to carry out a wide range of projects in the new frontier of high-pressure research, such as studies of d-block metal complexes, high-pressure photochemistry and noble gas chemistry. These studies attempt to gain in-depth understanding of the chemical and physical principles of high-pressure effect on materials at the molecular level, utilization of which may lead to new applications. For example, we may be able to use a combination of pressure and morphology as a driving force to tune structures and properties of a variety of nanomaterials to enhance their performance in certain applications, such as chemical sensing. Furthermore, we will develop new materials with desirable properties and novel functionalities, such as hydrogen storage materials and zeolite materials using high-pressure techniques. Overall, our research program will not only contribute to fundamental high-pressure science, but may make significant impact on several global demanding issues, such as the urgent need of new materials and sustainable energy.