Advanced Molecular Frameworks for Sodium Battery Electrode Applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of high capacity sodium-ion insertion. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of an extensive family of materials this project expects to generate major advances in the understanding of how the chemical, physical and structural attributes of the materials relate to their electrical charge/discharge ....Advanced Molecular Frameworks for Sodium Battery Electrode Applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of high capacity sodium-ion insertion. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of an extensive family of materials this project expects to generate major advances in the understanding of how the chemical, physical and structural attributes of the materials relate to their electrical charge/discharge behaviours. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits include the development of new material design approaches that optimise battery electrode performance across a diverse parameter space, and the generation of advanced new materials worthy of commercial development in low-cost, large-scale battery applications.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale Dynamics and Structure of SAILs at Electrodes. This project will produce new, high performance, surface active ionic liquids. Surface active ionic liquids are pure salts in which one of the ions is based on a surfactant molecule. Surface active ionic liquids are much more effective than conventional electrolytes for some applications, but only at elevated temperature; at low temperature, ion dynamics are too slow. We will use cutting edge techniques to probe ion dynamics in surface act ....Nanoscale Dynamics and Structure of SAILs at Electrodes. This project will produce new, high performance, surface active ionic liquids. Surface active ionic liquids are pure salts in which one of the ions is based on a surfactant molecule. Surface active ionic liquids are much more effective than conventional electrolytes for some applications, but only at elevated temperature; at low temperature, ion dynamics are too slow. We will use cutting edge techniques to probe ion dynamics in surface active ionic liquids in the bulk and at electrode surfaces, and use this to elucidate rules for the rational design of new surface active ionic liquids with fast dynamics at low temperature, towards their use at room temperature in diverse areas; this project will target capacitors and gas sensors. Read moreRead less
Understanding how nanoconfinement can enhance electrochemical reactions. The aim of this project will be to develop a far greater understanding of the impact of nanoconfinement in electrochemistry. The project will generate this knowledge by fabricating electrodes with well-defined nanoconfined spaces coupled with molecular dynamic and continuum simulations of the electrochemical systems. The expected outcomes will be an understanding the impact of dimensions of the nanoconfined spaces, the surf ....Understanding how nanoconfinement can enhance electrochemical reactions. The aim of this project will be to develop a far greater understanding of the impact of nanoconfinement in electrochemistry. The project will generate this knowledge by fabricating electrodes with well-defined nanoconfined spaces coupled with molecular dynamic and continuum simulations of the electrochemical systems. The expected outcomes will be an understanding the impact of dimensions of the nanoconfined spaces, the surface chemistry of these spaces and the electrolyte solution, a comprehensive understanding of nanoconfinement in electrochemistry. The benefits will be a dramatic improvement in the performance of electrochemical technologies for electrocatalysis, energy storage and sensing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100350
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
Sodium inventory for sodium-ion batteries. This project aims to increase the energy density and cycle life of sodium-ion batteries by investigating practical ways to increase the amount of cycleable sodium ions. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of energy storage using an innovative approach to address the key issues facing sodium-ion batteries. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of a novel high-energy sodium-ion battery, achieved by practical sod ....Sodium inventory for sodium-ion batteries. This project aims to increase the energy density and cycle life of sodium-ion batteries by investigating practical ways to increase the amount of cycleable sodium ions. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of energy storage using an innovative approach to address the key issues facing sodium-ion batteries. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of a novel high-energy sodium-ion battery, achieved by practical sodium inventory solutions and fundamental understanding of internal battery processes. This should provide significant benefits including lowering the cost of energy storage, decreasing the reliance on lithium, and facilitating society’s shift towards renewable and sustainable energy sources.Read moreRead less
Faster interfacial electron transfer: the effect of molecule shape and size. This project aims to explore the effect of shape and size of pi-conjugated molecules on interfacial electron transfer reactions, which are fundamentally important in all applications of photo-electrochemical conversion and storage of energy. By making two series of pi-conjugated molecules and determining electron transfer rates using a combination of transient spectroscopies and computational chemistry, the project expe ....Faster interfacial electron transfer: the effect of molecule shape and size. This project aims to explore the effect of shape and size of pi-conjugated molecules on interfacial electron transfer reactions, which are fundamentally important in all applications of photo-electrochemical conversion and storage of energy. By making two series of pi-conjugated molecules and determining electron transfer rates using a combination of transient spectroscopies and computational chemistry, the project expects to generate new design principles for molecules with the potential to significantly improve the efficiencies of solar energy conversion and photo-catalytic processes. The new materials and findings will be exploited in a novel redox-mediated water splitting device as a practical outcome with potential end user benefits.Read moreRead less
Nanoparticles with structures that mimic enzymes for electrocatalysis. This project aims to create a new class of electrocatalysts with architectures inspired by enzymes. Electrocatalysts are the backbone of the modern energy economy. In the new electrocatalysts developed by the project, the intention is the active sites will be spatially separated from the bulk solution by nanopores, as enzymes do. This architecture allows the reaction environment to be altered from the bulk solution, active tr ....Nanoparticles with structures that mimic enzymes for electrocatalysis. This project aims to create a new class of electrocatalysts with architectures inspired by enzymes. Electrocatalysts are the backbone of the modern energy economy. In the new electrocatalysts developed by the project, the intention is the active sites will be spatially separated from the bulk solution by nanopores, as enzymes do. This architecture allows the reaction environment to be altered from the bulk solution, active transport of species to the active site and cascade reactions to be performed. This should give advantages in activity, selectivity and the ability to perform multistep reactions. The intended outcomes are better performing hydrogen fuel cells and more effective conversion of carbon dioxide into useful organic compounds.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101618
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,000.00
Summary
Designing supramolecular compounds for sustainable energy storage. The project aims to create a new strategy for designing redox-active supramolecular compounds for energy storage devices. The project covers the simultaneous development of electrode-active materials, in-depth characterisation, and cell fabrication by combining supramolecular chemistry and advanced battery engineering. The knowledge anticipated to be accumulated through the project will be a fundamental cornerstone for achieving ....Designing supramolecular compounds for sustainable energy storage. The project aims to create a new strategy for designing redox-active supramolecular compounds for energy storage devices. The project covers the simultaneous development of electrode-active materials, in-depth characterisation, and cell fabrication by combining supramolecular chemistry and advanced battery engineering. The knowledge anticipated to be accumulated through the project will be a fundamental cornerstone for achieving large-scale energy storage devices for renewable energies, and an effective approach for resolving climate change driven by global warming.Read moreRead less
High Efficiency Electrochemical Cells. This project will study a recently developed, energy efficient ‘capillary-fed’ electrochemical cell architecture in the facilitation of various electro-energy and electro-synthetic transformations. The new cell architecture will be examined as a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell and as a cell for extracting pure hydrogen from a 5-10% mixture of hydrogen in methane (natural gas), amongst others. The work seeks to improve upon the electrochemical performance of the b ....High Efficiency Electrochemical Cells. This project will study a recently developed, energy efficient ‘capillary-fed’ electrochemical cell architecture in the facilitation of various electro-energy and electro-synthetic transformations. The new cell architecture will be examined as a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell and as a cell for extracting pure hydrogen from a 5-10% mixture of hydrogen in methane (natural gas), amongst others. The work seeks to improve upon the electrochemical performance of the best commercial and academic cells of such types, if possible. In increasing the efficiency with which renewable electricity can be converted into renewable hydrogen and back, this project will support the national priority of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.Read moreRead less
Dual-ion electrochemical systems. The project aims to develop dual-ion electrochemical systems. In contrast to conventional single-ion rechargeable cells, the charge storage process in the cathodes of these devices is facilitated by a second, negative ion. Dual-ion systems represent robust alternatives to current lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion capacitors, addressing their sustainability and energy density limitations. The project’s outcomes are in the form of new sustainable energy storag ....Dual-ion electrochemical systems. The project aims to develop dual-ion electrochemical systems. In contrast to conventional single-ion rechargeable cells, the charge storage process in the cathodes of these devices is facilitated by a second, negative ion. Dual-ion systems represent robust alternatives to current lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion capacitors, addressing their sustainability and energy density limitations. The project’s outcomes are in the form of new sustainable energy storage technologies with attrative energy and power densities for a wide range of applications. This should provide a significant benefit to society, the economy and the environment in enabling an easier transition to clean energy and ensuring energy security in Australia.Read moreRead less
Hydrogen fuel cells with non-precious metal cathode catalysts. Low-cost and robust fuel cell technology is a cornerstone towards the success of the hydrogen economy. The project aims to address the cost and durability of hydrogen fuel cells by advancing low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions. Novel non-precious catalysts will be developed, and their stability understood in fuel cells using a new approach with in situ current mapping and X-ray computed tomography. The expected ....Hydrogen fuel cells with non-precious metal cathode catalysts. Low-cost and robust fuel cell technology is a cornerstone towards the success of the hydrogen economy. The project aims to address the cost and durability of hydrogen fuel cells by advancing low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions. Novel non-precious catalysts will be developed, and their stability understood in fuel cells using a new approach with in situ current mapping and X-ray computed tomography. The expected outcomes of this project include material development, improved characterisation techniques and new knowledge on electrocatalysis. The project will benefit Kohodo Hydrogen Energy by positioning them as an Australian leader in low-cost catalysts, and to Australian industries in developing the hydrogen economy. Read moreRead less