Improving solar energy utilisation by splitting water with visible light. The project seeks to improve solar-hydrogen fuel production via water splitting by addressing a fundamental scientific roadblock. By engineered nanostructures with controlled charge transfer abilities, the most desirable route to water splitting will be promoted; granting Australia an opportunity to develop a solar-based renewable fuel.
All-Metal Nanoporous Materials as Highly Active Electrocatalysts. This project aims to create new avenues for well-controlled large-scale synthesis of hierarchical nanoporous platinum-based architectures, and develop applications for the resultant new electrocatalysts. Developing novel high-performance, low-cost, and long-life electrode catalysts can improve the efficiency, cost, and durability of energy conversion technology. The project plans to use the unique properties of well-defined nanoar ....All-Metal Nanoporous Materials as Highly Active Electrocatalysts. This project aims to create new avenues for well-controlled large-scale synthesis of hierarchical nanoporous platinum-based architectures, and develop applications for the resultant new electrocatalysts. Developing novel high-performance, low-cost, and long-life electrode catalysts can improve the efficiency, cost, and durability of energy conversion technology. The project plans to use the unique properties of well-defined nanoarchitectures to reduce platinum content and to improve electrocatalytic performance. Nanoporous systems in electrocatalysts can provide more active sites and effective surface permeability, which should enhance catalytic activity. Project outcomes may also contribute to our understanding of the relationships among morphologies, pore structures, surface atomic structures and catalytic activities to guide the development of other kinds of high performance nanoporous catalysts.Read moreRead less
New high performance zinc bromine batteries with novel electrode/electrolyte systems. Renewable sources of energy are of particular interest in the era of diminishing fossil fuels. Efficient energy storage is a missing link for renewable energy. Zinc-bromine batteries have great potential as energy storage. This project will aim to fundamentally re-design the existing first generation systems to improve power density by 300-400 per cent.
Efficient ionic liquid-based reduction of nitrogen to ammonia. This project aims to develop a hybrid ionic liquid-nanostructured electrode platform to electrochemically convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. Ammonia production, mostly for fertilisers, consumes more than 1% of the global energy supply and contributes 1.6 % of global carbon dioxide emissions. A process that could convert nitrogen to ammonia using renewable energy would be an important alternative approach. This project will develop a pl ....Efficient ionic liquid-based reduction of nitrogen to ammonia. This project aims to develop a hybrid ionic liquid-nanostructured electrode platform to electrochemically convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. Ammonia production, mostly for fertilisers, consumes more than 1% of the global energy supply and contributes 1.6 % of global carbon dioxide emissions. A process that could convert nitrogen to ammonia using renewable energy would be an important alternative approach. This project will develop a platform for electrochemical conversion of nitrogen gas to ammonia and optimise it for use with surplus renewable energy supplies. The project is expected to contribute to mitigation of greenhouse emissions and create a technology for distributed production of ammonia and ammonium fertilisers.Read moreRead less
Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Sign ....Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits include the development of new material design approaches that optimise performance across a diverse parameter space, and the generation of advanced new materials worthy of commercial development, spanning small scale mobile to large scale stationary storage applications.Read moreRead less
Multifunctional 2D materials for sustainable energy applications. This project seeks to explore the great potential of novel graphene-like two dimensional (2-D) materials for energy applications. 2-D materials, which possess atomic or molecular thickness and infinite planar lengths, are regarded as a building block for many applications due to their unique nanostructures, electronic and mechanical properties. This project is focused on the design and exploration of layered two-dimensional artifi ....Multifunctional 2D materials for sustainable energy applications. This project seeks to explore the great potential of novel graphene-like two dimensional (2-D) materials for energy applications. 2-D materials, which possess atomic or molecular thickness and infinite planar lengths, are regarded as a building block for many applications due to their unique nanostructures, electronic and mechanical properties. This project is focused on the design and exploration of layered two-dimensional artificial graphene and graphene analogues with ‘on-demand’ properties to exploit advanced energy applications. There is now a pressing need to integrate graphene sheets into multidimensional and multifunctional systems with spatially well-defined configurations, and integrated systems with a controllable structure and predictable performance. Project outcomes may lead to next-generation devices in energy storage and other applications.Read moreRead less
Mesoporous conducting carbon-based materials for energy. This project aims to synthesise highly ordered mesoporous conducting polymers and graphitic carbons with a high conductivity, different pore structures, tuneable pore diameters, and functionalised with transition metal oxide nanoparticles. It will make a highly efficient, low cost and stable energy storage device using functionalised mesoporous conducting polymeric and graphitic electrodes that combine pseudo capacitance and electrical dou ....Mesoporous conducting carbon-based materials for energy. This project aims to synthesise highly ordered mesoporous conducting polymers and graphitic carbons with a high conductivity, different pore structures, tuneable pore diameters, and functionalised with transition metal oxide nanoparticles. It will make a highly efficient, low cost and stable energy storage device using functionalised mesoporous conducting polymeric and graphitic electrodes that combine pseudo capacitance and electrical double layer capacitance, high power and energy density and a long cycle life. This electrode system for supercapacitors is expected to address clean energy generation and environmental problems and create opportunities for Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Functional molecular nanomaterials. The design and construction of advanced nanomaterials is a key step in the push towards more efficient energy systems and smarter technologies. Through the strategic assembly of new classes of molecular nanomaterials, this project will lead to important fundamental advances in nanoscience and will underpin a range of new high-level technologies.