Thin Films for Sustainable Energy and Energy--Intensive Technologies

拟议的研究旨在开发先进的薄膜无机纳米结构(纳米复合材料和纳米颗粒)，并通过以可持续发展为基础的相对新颖的脉冲电子束烧蚀(PEBA)技术评估工艺沉积方面。感兴趣的材料体系由一组特殊的金属硫化物/磷化物组成，即FeS2、Cu2S、CZTS(铜锌锡硫化物)和Zn3P2，以及金属氧化物，即CuO、Cu2O、Co：ZnO、Fe：ZnO和Cu/Cu2O。这些材料具有一系列非常有吸引力的性质，使它们成为未来能源技术中潜在的纳米催化剂和太阳能电池材料。它们地球资源丰富，价格低廉，坚持摇篮方法，对环境无害，使它们成为可持续的材料。PEBA制备方法基于等离子体技术，满足基本的可持续性标准，如成本效益、低能源预算、多功能性、操作灵活性、大规模生产的可扩展性和低环境足迹。拟议的研究方案既包括基础方面，也包括应用方面。基础研究包括通过分析手段对纳米结构的制备、加工和表征/测试，以及通过建模、计算工具和实时诊断对其制备过程进行分析。预计这项研究将通过解决沉积、加工、结构和性能之间的复杂关系，在从根本上了解感兴趣的材料方面取得重要进展。该计划针对的纳米结构在能源密集型化工过程中作为有效的纳米催化剂，如液态烃生产(Fischer-Tropsch)、通过固氮生产绿色氮肥(Bosch-Haber)、氢气储存和减少有毒物质。它们也是未来领先的太阳能转换技术的极佳候选者。这项研究是非常跨学科的，通过使用各种分析工具和方法的第一手经验，参与计算工作，以及与合作者互动，获得可转移的技能，提供极好的培训机会。对所获得技能的需求很高的主要经济部门包括增值纳米制造、工艺强化、能源转换和节约、环境保护、消费品和技术咨询。这项研究将加强劳伦斯大学战略研究计划中确定的材料科学和纳米技术方面的机构研究能力。由于不断增长的社会需求，以及它们对该省和加拿大的经济和社会繁荣、能源安全和可持续发展以及技术竞争力的影响，有针对性的应用具有战略重要性。

The proposed research is aimed at the development of advanced thin-films inorganic nanostructures (nanocomposites and nanoparticles) and assessment of process deposition aspects via the relatively novel pulsed electron beam ablation (PEBA) technique with sustainability as the underlying framework. The material systems of interest consist of a special group of metal sulphides/phosphides, namely, FeS2, Cu2S, CZTS (copper zinc tin sulphide) and Zn3P2, and metal oxides, namely, CuO, Cu2O, Co:ZnO, Fe:ZnO, and Cu/Cu2O. These materials have a set of very attractive properties making them potential candidates as nanocatalysts and solar cell materials in future energy technologies. They are earth abundant and inexpensive, adhere to the cradletocradle approach, and are environmentally benign, making them sustainable materials. The preparation method, PEBA, is based on plasma technology and fulfills fundamental sustainability criteria such as cost-effectiveness, low energy budget, versatility, flexibility of operation, scalability for mass production, and low environmental footprint. The proposed research program encompasses both fundamental and applied aspects. Fundamental investigations include the preparation, processing, and characterization/testing of the nanostructures by analytical means and the analysis of their preparation process by modeling, computational tools, and real-time diagnostics. It is anticipated that the research will result in important strides towards gaining a fundamental understanding of the materials of interest by addressing the intricate relationships between deposition, processing, structure, and properties. The nanostructures targeted by this program find niches as effective nanocatalysts in energy-intensive chemical processes such as liquid hydrocarbon production (Fischer-Tropsch), production of green nitrogen fertilizers via nitrogen fixation (Bosch--Haber), hydrogen storage, and abatement of noxious substances. They are also excellent candidates for future leading solar light conversion technologies. The research is quite interdisciplinary and offers excellent training opportunities via the acquisition of transferable skills through firsthand experience with a variety of analytical tools and methods, involvement in computational work, and interactions with collaborators. Major sectors of the economy in high demand for the gained skills include value-added nanomanufacturing, process intensification, energy conversion and conservation, environment protection, consumer products, and technical consulting. The research will enhance institutional research capacity in materials science and nanotechnology as identified in the Laurentian University Strategic Research Plan. The targeted applications are of strategic importance due to increasing societal demands, and to their impact on the province's and Canada's economic and social prosperity, energy security and sustainability, and technology competitiveness.