Exploring Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids as a New Synthetic Path Toward Electrocatalysts

探索液体中的脉冲激光烧蚀作为电催化剂的新合成途径

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-05553
• 负责人: Bertin, Erwan
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: St. Francis Xavier University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=717403
• 关键词: Exploring; Pulsed; Laser; Ablation; Liquids; Exploring; Pulsed; Laser; Ablation; Liquids

This proposal will investigate the use of a novel technique, pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) for preparing nanoparticle electrocatalysts. PLAL is a promising synthetic approach for preparing nanoparticles that does not require toxic chemicals and is easily scable advantageous for future developments. PLAL is actually viewed as a technique that minimizes chemical use, making a very “green” technique. In this proposal, PLAL-generated nanoparticle electrocatalysts will be examined in the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to useful products, such as formate salts, ethanol, etc. A recent, 2018 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change clearly demonstrates that new solutions are needed to successfully tackle the growing problem of global warming and CO2 emissions. However, CO2 is a very stable molecule. Thus, electrocatalysts, materials that reduce the energy requirements for a reaction, are required convert CO2. One aspect of this research program is to prepare such electrocatalysts. PLAL will first be used to synthesize monometallic nanoparticles to validate our synthetic approach against current electrocatalysts. Bimetallic nanoparticles from readily available materials, such as tin or nickel, will then be prepared and employed in a CO2 electrolyzer, a device that converts CO2 into other chemicals, using electricity. Akin to a battery, an electrolyzer has two poles or, formally speaking, two electrodes. The second aspect of this research program is the study of the second electrode. Currently, the reaction occurring at this second electrode is the water oxidation to oxygen an environmentally friendly reaction used in commercially-available alkaline electrolyzers to generate hydrogen and oxygen from water. However, CO2 electrolyzers do not operate under the same experimental conditions as alkaline water electrolyzers, therefore it is critical to reevaluate the choice of catalysts appropriate to convert CO2. The last, and very attractive, aspect of this proposal is the design of novel electrolyzers that incorporate CO2 elimination at one electrode with the conversion of another waste product, such as hydrazine or urea, at the other electrode. Such an inclusive design may also decrease the energy required to convert CO2. As PLAL is a versatile technique, it will allow the synthesis of nanomaterials for exploring all aspects described. Ultimately, this research program is environmentally relevant, as preparing electrocatalysts using this approach will help mitigate climate change and ease our transition toward renewable energies. Furthermore, the PLAL approach minimizes the use of toxic chemicals and is easy to scale up, thereby offering a sustainable solution to the pressing environmental problem of CO2 emissions. In long term, this program could pave the way toward a broader use of PLAL, for example to tackle challenges associated with battery materials or fuel cells.

该提案将研究一种新技术，脉冲激光消融在液体（PLAL）中用于制备纳米颗粒电催化剂。 Plal是一种有望制备不需要有毒化学物质的纳米颗粒的合成方法，对于将来的开发很容易获得优势。实际上，Plal被视为一种使化学使用最小化的技术，从而使非常“绿色”的技术。 In this proposal, PLAL-generated nanoparticle electrocatalysts will be examined in the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to useful products, such as form salts, ethanol, etc. A recent, 2018 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change clearly demonstrates that new solutions are needed to successfully tackle the growing problem of global warming and CO2 emissions.但是，二氧化碳是一个非常稳定的分子。需要转换CO2的电催化剂，即减少反应能量需求的材料。该研究计划的一个方面是准备此类电催化剂。 Plal将首先用于合成单金属纳米颗粒，以验证我们针对电流电催化剂的合成方法。然后，将准备并用电力来准备并用来准备使用可用材料（例如锡或镍）的双金属纳米颗粒，该设备将使用电力（将CO2转换为其他化学物质，使用电力。类似于电池，电解液具有两个电线杆，或者正式演讲两个电极。该研究计划的第二方面是第二电极的研究。目前，该反应发生在第二电极上是氧化物对氧气的氧气，一种在商业上可用的酒精电解剂中使用的环保反应，以从水中产生氢和氧气。但是，二氧化碳电解液在与酒精电解液的实验条件下不运行，因此重新评估适合转换二氧化碳的催化剂的选择至关重要。 该提案的最后一个且非常有吸引力的方面是设计新型电解器的设计，它们在一个电极上纳入了二氧化碳消除，并在另一个电极在另一个废物的转化（例如氢化产物或尿素）的转换。这种包容性设计也可能会降低转换二氧化碳所需的能量。由于Plal是一种多功能技术，因此它将允许纳米材料的合成来探索所描述的所有方面。 最终，该研究计划与环境相关，因为使用这种方法准备电催化剂将有助于减轻气候变化并减轻我们向可再生能源的过渡。此外，PLAL方法可最大程度地减少有毒化学物质的使用，并且易于扩展，从而为二氧化碳排放的紧迫环境问题提供了可持续的解决方案。从长远来看，该程序可以为更广泛使用Plal铺平道路，例如解决与电池材料或燃料电池相关的挑战。