Solar-Driven C-H Functionalization Reactions. This project aims to investigate the functionalization reaction of unreactive C-H bonds using light as the source of energy. Light is a transformative change to synthesis as thermal activation is exchanged to solar activation. The latter gives access to excited state chemistry and enables reaction steps that are thermally inaccessible. It is a key strategy to leverage synthesis to the demands of the 21st century and to minimise its ecologic footprint ....Solar-Driven C-H Functionalization Reactions. This project aims to investigate the functionalization reaction of unreactive C-H bonds using light as the source of energy. Light is a transformative change to synthesis as thermal activation is exchanged to solar activation. The latter gives access to excited state chemistry and enables reaction steps that are thermally inaccessible. It is a key strategy to leverage synthesis to the demands of the 21st century and to minimise its ecologic footprint. At the same time this strategy provides a lever to profoundly impact and drive new concepts in synthesis. Significant benefits are expected, such as increase in fundamental knowledge on photochemical processes, but also the access to new materials for applications as drugs or OLEDs.Read moreRead less
Integrated nonmetal-metal single-atom catalysis for selective synthesis. Single atom catalysts can achieve the maximum efficiency of active sites for a reaction. This project will develop integrated nonmetal and metal single atom-based catalysts for selective oxidation towards clean production and organic waste conversion to value-added polymers for carbon recycle. The project will result in new functional materials and green catalytic processes for chemical synthesis and waste reduction, and ad ....Integrated nonmetal-metal single-atom catalysis for selective synthesis. Single atom catalysts can achieve the maximum efficiency of active sites for a reaction. This project will develop integrated nonmetal and metal single atom-based catalysts for selective oxidation towards clean production and organic waste conversion to value-added polymers for carbon recycle. The project will result in new functional materials and green catalytic processes for chemical synthesis and waste reduction, and advance fundamental understanding of molecular structure of materials for catalyst design and process engineering for industrial applications. The outcomes will promote the development of chemical industry, waste recycle and green environment in Australia, making significant benefits to economics and society.Read moreRead less
High productivity of hybrid plasma electrocatalytic fertiliser production. Non-thermal plasma-driven electrocatalytic production of nitrogen fertilisers. The project aims to develop scalable technology for ambient production of fertilisers using renewable energy, air, water, and captured CO2. This project is anticipated to generate new knowledge in plasma catalysis and electrochemical coupling through designing and fine-tuning catalyst-loaded 3D scaffolds. Expected outcomes of this project inclu ....High productivity of hybrid plasma electrocatalytic fertiliser production. Non-thermal plasma-driven electrocatalytic production of nitrogen fertilisers. The project aims to develop scalable technology for ambient production of fertilisers using renewable energy, air, water, and captured CO2. This project is anticipated to generate new knowledge in plasma catalysis and electrochemical coupling through designing and fine-tuning catalyst-loaded 3D scaffolds. Expected outcomes of this project include increasing the capacity to adopt low-cost and decentralised methods for renewable energy utilisation. This should provide substantial technological capacity that can be applied to other sectors of Australia's developing hydrogen economy and expand the use of renewable energy Power-to-X for zero-emissions energy vectors.Read moreRead less
Plasma driven electrochemical synthesis of urea. Urea is the most used nitrogen fertilizer in the world, with more urea manufactured by mass than any other organic chemical. However, the world is experiencing a major shortage of the compound, impacting our food costs and security along with dependent products such as AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid). Commercial urea production relies on a complex reaction between ammonia and carbon dioxide at high temperatures, which consumes more than 2% of the w ....Plasma driven electrochemical synthesis of urea. Urea is the most used nitrogen fertilizer in the world, with more urea manufactured by mass than any other organic chemical. However, the world is experiencing a major shortage of the compound, impacting our food costs and security along with dependent products such as AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid). Commercial urea production relies on a complex reaction between ammonia and carbon dioxide at high temperatures, which consumes more than 2% of the world’s energy. This project aims to produce more sustainable urea driven by electricity and using air and captured CO2, through the use of a plasma-driven electrochemical technology, providing farmers with a low-cost fertilizer under a decentralized and secure supply. Read moreRead less