Intervalence Transfer in Dinuclear and Oligonuclear Polymetallic Assemblies. Mixed-valence compounds (such as the pigment Prussian Blue) have been known for over two centuries, and possess important conductivity, magnetic and spectral properties. Electron transfer between the elements of different valency (intervalence charge transfer, IVCT) gives rise to absorbances in the red or near-infrared region of the spectrum which provide fundamental information on the electron migration. By design of ....Intervalence Transfer in Dinuclear and Oligonuclear Polymetallic Assemblies. Mixed-valence compounds (such as the pigment Prussian Blue) have been known for over two centuries, and possess important conductivity, magnetic and spectral properties. Electron transfer between the elements of different valency (intervalence charge transfer, IVCT) gives rise to absorbances in the red or near-infrared region of the spectrum which provide fundamental information on the electron migration. By design of target di- and higher nuclearity polymetallic species, the project will study IVCT phenomena to understand electron movement, allowing rational development of applicable materials such as catalysts, light-activated devices and non-linear optical materials.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101403
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Alloy catalyst design for synthesis of graphene and boron nitride sheets. This project aims to use computational methods to determine the optimal catalyst for growth of high quality, continuous films, a crucial scientific problem in the synthesis of two dimensional materials. It will use first-principles calculations to explore the growth of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride on several designed alloy catalysts and develop a physical model to understand the mechanism of the chemical vapour dep ....Alloy catalyst design for synthesis of graphene and boron nitride sheets. This project aims to use computational methods to determine the optimal catalyst for growth of high quality, continuous films, a crucial scientific problem in the synthesis of two dimensional materials. It will use first-principles calculations to explore the growth of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride on several designed alloy catalysts and develop a physical model to understand the mechanism of the chemical vapour deposition growth of the materials. The alloy catalyst design is expected to lead to experimental routes to synthesise high-quality and large-area graphene and hexagonal boron nitride films and accelerate the industrial application of two-dimensional nanomaterials. This will promote their application in catalysis, sensors, electronics, energy storage and increase Australia’s competitive advantage in synthesis of high-performance materials.Read moreRead less
Computer-Aided Design of High-Performance Photocatalysts for Solar Hydrogen Production Based on Red Titanium Dioxide. Large-scale generation of energy by solar conversion is critical for future sustainability. This project aims to develop high performance materials to efficiently convert solar energy to hydrogen - a clean fuel. Starting from the newly developed material red titanium dioxide, novel strategies for improved photocatalytic materials will be proposed and evaluated by advanced computa ....Computer-Aided Design of High-Performance Photocatalysts for Solar Hydrogen Production Based on Red Titanium Dioxide. Large-scale generation of energy by solar conversion is critical for future sustainability. This project aims to develop high performance materials to efficiently convert solar energy to hydrogen - a clean fuel. Starting from the newly developed material red titanium dioxide, novel strategies for improved photocatalytic materials will be proposed and evaluated by advanced computational approaches. Key issues for solar-to-hydrogen conversion will be clarified. The materials, knowledge and strategies achieved by this project will dramatically enhance current solar technology and in particular will advance the development of low-cost hydrogen production from water. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101450
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,556.00
Summary
Tuning non-plasmonic metals to high performance photocatalysts. This project aims to develop non-plasmonic, transition metal-based, photocatalysts with enhanced light absorption, to achieve irradiation controllable product selectivity in organic synthesis. The project demonstrates how hollow-particle morphology alloy nano-structures can enhance photocatalytic activity. Alloy structures such as iridium-nickel (IrNi), iridium-cobalt (IrCo) and iridium-tin (IrSn) nanoparticles with a hollow morphol ....Tuning non-plasmonic metals to high performance photocatalysts. This project aims to develop non-plasmonic, transition metal-based, photocatalysts with enhanced light absorption, to achieve irradiation controllable product selectivity in organic synthesis. The project demonstrates how hollow-particle morphology alloy nano-structures can enhance photocatalytic activity. Alloy structures such as iridium-nickel (IrNi), iridium-cobalt (IrCo) and iridium-tin (IrSn) nanoparticles with a hollow morphology, exhibit dramatically increased photocatalytic activity over their individual components, Ir, Ni, Co and Sn respectively. The project is expected to expand the application of photocatalysis and generate knowledge that can be used to design efficient photocatalysts from non-plasmonic metals. Intended benefits are the generation of new knowledge and capabilities in synthetic catalysis and applications in fields such as the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy.Read moreRead less
Driving Chemical Reactions by Visible and Ultraviolet Light on Supported Noble Metal Nanoparticles. This project will develop advanced materials of noble metal nanoparticles on a support, which can absorb visible and ultraviolet light and catalyse chemical reactions. Such photocatalysts provide the potential to use sunlight, an abundant, green energy source, to drive reactions at ambient temperatures for chemical synthesis and environmental protection.
Single-atom catalysts for electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion. This project aims to develop a new synthetic technique for the fabrication of template-free and metal single-atoms embedded in doped carbon nano tubes. It will generate fundamental knowledge about multiple proton and electron transfer steps in carbon dioxide (CO2RR) using in-situ synchrotron characterisation techniques. Expected outcomes of the research include the development of new single-atom catalysts for production of the ....Single-atom catalysts for electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion. This project aims to develop a new synthetic technique for the fabrication of template-free and metal single-atoms embedded in doped carbon nano tubes. It will generate fundamental knowledge about multiple proton and electron transfer steps in carbon dioxide (CO2RR) using in-situ synchrotron characterisation techniques. Expected outcomes of the research include the development of new single-atom catalysts for production of the key feed-stock of CO for sustainable use in hydrocarbon fuels, providing significant benefits in the reduction of greenhouse emissions.Read moreRead less
Solar-driven thermochemical dissociation of carbon dioxide and water to produce carbon-neutral fuels. The biggest challenge to humanity of the century is to develop enabling clean energy resources to encounter rapidly diminished fossil fuel and accelerated global warming conditions. This project will offer a solution by developing a unique solar-driven thermochemical system capable of cleaving carbon dioxide and water to produce artificial syngas.
To identify and to understand highly reactive surfaces for solar hydrogen production. This project aims to develop advanced technology to produce hydrogen - carbon-free fuel - from water with sunlight as the only energy input. Using clean energy to replace fossil fuels can help address the issues of energy supply and reduce carbon emissions, which is critically important for a sustainable Australia.