Development of nanostructured thin films for energy applications

提出的研究建议是利用等离子体法制备轻质金属间二元和三元合金薄膜及其氮化物和氢化物，用于潜在储氢容器的涂层，这是一个尚未解决的问题。在本项目中，在等离子溅射制备合金薄膜的同时，利用氢等离子体进行加氢，并在高温下将制备好的合金或氮化物薄膜暴露在氢等离子体中。根据美国能源部（DOE）的规定，这些新发明的材料将在2015年之前实现9.7%的储氢容量。纳米结构薄膜涂层将从理解氢与宿主原子相互作用和成键的性质、结构变化、表面形貌的作用、缺陷和掺杂元素在加氢和脱氢过程中的作用等方面进行表征。用于保护木材和铝表面免受紫外线辐射、湿气和腐蚀的氧化物或聚合物等离子涂层也将被执行。拟议的研究因其重要影响和经济潜在应用而具有独特性，其重点集中在能源效率上，这是一个日益受到科学和政治关注的问题。所提出的研究的各种应用包括制备先进的纳米结构储氢材料，木材和铝防紫外线，防潮和防腐等，都集中在一个重要方面：成本效益和环保的绿色能源。因此，提出的调查结果不仅对加拿大能源行业有潜在的影响，而且对全球也有一定的影响。因此，候选人将通过阐述和应用他在等离子体技术领域的广泛知识和经验，为高效绿色能源这一重要而苛刻的领域做出贡献，并将这些知识传授给他的合作者（研究人员和学生）。

The proposed research proposals are to prepare light weight inter-metallic binary and ternary alloy thin films and their nitrides and hydrides by plasma process for their application as coatings in potential hydrogen storage containers, a problem that is yet to be solved. In this project, hydrogenation will be carried out using hydrogen plasma while preparing the alloys thin films by plasma sputtering as well as exposing the prepared alloys or nitrides thin films in hydrogen plasma at elevated temperatures. These newly invented materials developed under the proposed research would find the solution sought for a hydrogen storage capacity of 9.7 wt.% by 2015 according to Department of Energy (DOE) specifications. Nanostructured thin films coatings will be characterized with the view of understanding the nature of interaction and the bonding of hydrogen with host atoms, structural changes, role of surface morphology, defects and of doping elements in hydrogenation and dehydrogenation process. Plasma coatings of oxides or polymers for the protection of wood and aluminum surfaces against UV radiation, moisture and corrosion will also be performed. The proposed research is unique for its important impacts and economically potential applications, with the focus centered on energy efficiency, a growing scientific and political concern. The various applications of the proposed investigations include preparation of advanced nanostructured hydrogen storage materials, wood and Al protection from UV, moisture and corrosion, etc., all focus on one important aspect: the cost effective and environmentally friendly green energy. Therefore, the outcome of the investigations proposed not only has potential impacts in Canadian energy industries but also has a definite global impact. The candidate will therefore benefit through elaboration and application of his broad knowledge and experience in the field of plasma technology contributing to an important and demanding field of efficient green energy and this knowledge will be passed on to his collaborators (researchers as well as students).