Application of First-principles Theory in Condensed Matter Physics, Surface Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering: Coatings, Catalysis, and Devices. The project addresses areas of high technological interest, namely the development of nitride-based materials for hard-coatings, spintronic (control and use of electron spin) and optoelectronic (in the blue/UV energy range) devices - as well as the area of heterogeneous oxidation catalysis. Using state-of-the-art methods it will lead to the developme ....Application of First-principles Theory in Condensed Matter Physics, Surface Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering: Coatings, Catalysis, and Devices. The project addresses areas of high technological interest, namely the development of nitride-based materials for hard-coatings, spintronic (control and use of electron spin) and optoelectronic (in the blue/UV energy range) devices - as well as the area of heterogeneous oxidation catalysis. Using state-of-the-art methods it will lead to the development of new materials and devices of relevance to industry.Read moreRead less
Controlled synthesis of well-aligned single crystalline one-dimensional semiconducting nanomaterials for energy application. This proposal is at the forefront of a number of important fields, and therefore the outcomes are expected to be of great interest to a broad spectrum of industry sectors, including advanced materials, nanotechnology, and sustainable energy. The novel synthetic methods and the targeting material system could lead to advanced materials for energy application. The outcomes o ....Controlled synthesis of well-aligned single crystalline one-dimensional semiconducting nanomaterials for energy application. This proposal is at the forefront of a number of important fields, and therefore the outcomes are expected to be of great interest to a broad spectrum of industry sectors, including advanced materials, nanotechnology, and sustainable energy. The novel synthetic methods and the targeting material system could lead to advanced materials for energy application. The outcomes of this project will place Australian researchers among the pioneering groups in this area and will benefit several major technology-related fields including materials manufacture technology and sustainable energy.Read moreRead less
Novel nanostructured InVO4 and related vanadates photocatalysts for water splitting under visible light irradiation. This proposal is at the forefront of a number of important fields, and therefore the outcomes are expected to be of great interest to a broad spectrum of industry sectors, including sustainable energy supply, solar energy applications, and environmental purification. This novel material system could lead to highly efficient photocatalysts for application in solar energy to split w ....Novel nanostructured InVO4 and related vanadates photocatalysts for water splitting under visible light irradiation. This proposal is at the forefront of a number of important fields, and therefore the outcomes are expected to be of great interest to a broad spectrum of industry sectors, including sustainable energy supply, solar energy applications, and environmental purification. This novel material system could lead to highly efficient photocatalysts for application in solar energy to split water to produce hydrogen. The outcomes of this project will position Australian researchers among the pioneering groups in this area and will benefit several major technology-related fields including sustainable energy supply, environmental protection engineering, and materials manufacture technology.Read moreRead less
Two-dimensional plasmonic heterogeneous nanostructures for photocatalysis. This project aims to design and explore two-dimensional heterogeneous photocatalysts that can convert solar energy into usable chemical energy. This project will investigate the correlation between surface plasmonic resonance and photocatalytic activities on the atomic level. Heterogeneous engineering and in-situ investigation of atomic-level photocatalytic dynamics is expected to yield several new full-solar-spectrum pho ....Two-dimensional plasmonic heterogeneous nanostructures for photocatalysis. This project aims to design and explore two-dimensional heterogeneous photocatalysts that can convert solar energy into usable chemical energy. This project will investigate the correlation between surface plasmonic resonance and photocatalytic activities on the atomic level. Heterogeneous engineering and in-situ investigation of atomic-level photocatalytic dynamics is expected to yield several new full-solar-spectrum photocatalysts. The project is expected to contribute to the understanding of the processes and mechanisms underlying photocatalysis, and lead to useable, stable and durable photocatalytics. The outcomes will enable efficient, cost-effective and reliable production of clean energy in a low-emission way.Read moreRead less
Rechargeable lithium carbon dioxide battery - catalyst design to prototype . This project aims to develop a new concept of rechargeable lithium carbon dioxide batteries and scaled-up prototypes. Such a battery will be first of its kind to show high power comparable to gasoline and superior rechargeability over existing gas-involved batteries, ensuring realistic use for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include 2-dimensional catalysts made from earth-abundant elements lowering large-scale pr ....Rechargeable lithium carbon dioxide battery - catalyst design to prototype . This project aims to develop a new concept of rechargeable lithium carbon dioxide batteries and scaled-up prototypes. Such a battery will be first of its kind to show high power comparable to gasoline and superior rechargeability over existing gas-involved batteries, ensuring realistic use for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include 2-dimensional catalysts made from earth-abundant elements lowering large-scale production cost, a novel but reliable working principle based on reversible carbon dioxide/oxalate conversion, and prototypes featuring high specific capacity, large energy density and excellent durability. Via industrial pilot trials, commercial benefits will be fast tracked for energy security and carbon dioxide utilisation.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101069
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Two-dimensional inorganic nanostructures for hydrogen evolution reaction. This project aims to synthesise highly active electrochemical catalysts of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic nanostructure for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The electrocatalysis of water to produce hydrogen gas could generate clean energy, but the platinum catalyst’s cost and low activity make it impractical. This project will develop 2D inorganic nanosheets with tuneable pores and electronic band structures, hybridised ....Two-dimensional inorganic nanostructures for hydrogen evolution reaction. This project aims to synthesise highly active electrochemical catalysts of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic nanostructure for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The electrocatalysis of water to produce hydrogen gas could generate clean energy, but the platinum catalyst’s cost and low activity make it impractical. This project will develop 2D inorganic nanosheets with tuneable pores and electronic band structures, hybridised with organic and/or inorganic semiconductor nanomaterials for HER, and use density functional theory calculation to investigate these hybridised nanosheets’ mechanisms for HER. These highly efficient and low-cost catalysts are expected to generate clean energy and create opportunities for Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Design and exploration of novel p-block materials for visible light photocatalysis. This project aims to design and explore novel visible light p-block photocatalysts through in depth surface studies of materials at an atomic level. A new strategy of band structure engineering and in-situ investigation of atomic-level photocatalytic dynamics will be the key elements in this research which is expected to yield several novel visible light photocatalysts. The outcome of the project will be the unde ....Design and exploration of novel p-block materials for visible light photocatalysis. This project aims to design and explore novel visible light p-block photocatalysts through in depth surface studies of materials at an atomic level. A new strategy of band structure engineering and in-situ investigation of atomic-level photocatalytic dynamics will be the key elements in this research which is expected to yield several novel visible light photocatalysts. The outcome of the project will be the understanding of processes and mechanisms underlying the photocatalysis and building the foundation of usable, stable, and durable visible-light photocatalytic applications.Read moreRead less
Single molecule actuators. The study of actuation processes in single molecules will lead to the development of improved advanced materials for Australian industry and, ultimately, to the more futuristic and exciting nanotechnologies. The research will improve our understanding of how polymer artificial muscles function, so that these materials can be further developed to meet the demand from industry. Applications include biomedical devices, robotic applicators and various machine parts. In ....Single molecule actuators. The study of actuation processes in single molecules will lead to the development of improved advanced materials for Australian industry and, ultimately, to the more futuristic and exciting nanotechnologies. The research will improve our understanding of how polymer artificial muscles function, so that these materials can be further developed to meet the demand from industry. Applications include biomedical devices, robotic applicators and various machine parts. In addition, the research will also contribute to one of the greatest promises of nanotechnology: the development of molecular machines. We will demonstrate the mechanical forces and movements possible from single molecules so that the design of useful nano-machines can begin.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101454
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,446.00
Summary
High performance lead-free piezoelectrics based on polar nanoregions. This project aims to enhance the electro-mechanical couplings of lead free piezoelectrics via introducing polar nanoregions for medical transducers applications. This is expected to impact on the design and development of high-performance lead free piezoelectrics, and have environmental benefits through replacing lead based counterparts.