Development of nanostructured thin films for energy applications

提出的研究建议是用等离子体工艺制备轻质金属间化合物薄膜及其氮化物和氢化物，作为潜在储氢容器的涂层，这是一个有待解决的问题。在本项目中，将利用氢等离子体进行氢化，同时通过等离子体溅射制备合金薄膜，并将所制备的合金或氮化物薄膜在氢等离子体中高温暴露。根据拟议的研究开发的这些新发明的材料将找到解决方案，根据能源部(DOE)的规范，到2015年，氢气存储容量将达到9.7wt.%。纳米结构薄膜涂层将从理解氢与主体原子的相互作用和键的性质、结构变化、表面形态、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。还将进行氧化物或聚合物的等离子涂层，以保护木材和铝表面免受紫外线辐射、潮湿和腐蚀。这项拟议的研究因其重要影响和潜在的经济应用而独一无二，其重点是能源效率，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储氢材料、木材和铝的防紫外线、防潮和防腐蚀等，所有这些都集中在一个重要的方面：成本效益和环境友好的绿色能源。因此，所提出的调查结果不仅对加拿大能源行业有潜在影响，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而受益，为高效绿色能源这一重要而苛刻的领域做出贡献，这些知识将传递给他的合作者(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).