Single Atom Catalysts and Atomic Scale Design of Interface for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage

用于电化学能量转换和存储的单原子催化剂和原子尺度界面设计

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-06617
• 负责人: Sun, Xueliang
• 金额: $ 4.66万
• 依托单位: University of Western Ontario
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=759875
• 关键词: Single; Atom; Catalysts; Atomic; Scale

There is a growing awareness that nanotechnology will have a profound impact on energy generation and storage. Dr. Sun will continue to use his expertise in nanotechnology to address critical challenges in fuel cells and solid-state Li batteries but, in next six year, his work will highlight even smaller scales from nano scale to atomic scale in this proposal.     The objective of this proposed proposal is to lead a vigorous research program that builds on atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) techniques for energy applications. This proposal covers fundamental studies in two themes: (i) single atom materials as novel catalyst for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells; and (ii) atomic scale design and engineering of interface for next-generation all solid-state batteries. An important aspect is to apply various advanced characterization techniques (including in-situ/operando) for the fundamental understanding. The Discovery Grant (DG) supports fundamental studies and basic science while Dr. Sun's other funding supports more applied studies and practical applications.     For PEM fuel cells, cost and durability are two major roadblocks that have to be overcome before the PEMFC system can become economically viable. The cost of Pt-based still accounts for a big percentage of the cost of fuel cells but Pt is still the best catalysts in fuel cells. Therefore, the development of a low cost and stable catalyst with ultra-low Pt loading will provide us the means to reduce the cost and performance gaps towards commercial viability. Single atom catalyst is a very promising choice but its controllable synthesis and stability need to be well addressed. The two specific objectives in this area include: (i) synthesis of single-atom or cluster Pt-based catalysts by ALD, and (ii) stabilization of single atom catalyst by design of stabilizers and support of the catalysts. It is expected that the single atom catalysts will be ideal materials for providing a higher catalytic performance, high catalyst utilization, high durability, and a longer fuel cell operational life.     All solid-state batteries (SSBs) have been attracting more than ever research and industrial interests recently. The advantages of SSBs are safer and higher energy density. However, there are still some key challenges including interfacial issues and metal protections in SSBs. The two specific objectives are: (i) stabilizing the interface between electrodes and electrolytes for solid-state Li batteries; and (ii) protection of Li/Na metals for all solid-state batteries. It is expected that the outcome of this project will go towards aiding the production of stable and long-life solid-state batteries.     The successful completion of the program will be of benefit to Canadian industry, and to the global nanotechnology community by accelerating the fuel cell and solid-state battery commercialization process while simultaneously reducing environmental pollution.

人们越来越意识到纳米技术将对能源产生和存储产生深远的影响。 Sun博士将继续利用他在纳米技术方面的专业知识来应对燃料电池和固态LI电池的关键挑战，但在未来六年中，他的工作将突出该提案中从纳米量表到原子量表的较小规模。该建议的建议的目的是领导基于原子层沉积（ALD）和分子层沉积（MLD）技术的有力研究计划。该建议涵盖了两个主题的基本研究：（i）单原子材料作为质子交换膜（PEM）燃料电池的新型催化剂； （ii）下一代所有固态电池的界面的原子量表设计和工程。一个重要的方面是将各种高级特征技术（包括原位/操作数）应用于基本理解。 Discovery Grant（DG）支持基础研究和基础科学，而Sun博士的其他资金支持更多的应用研究和实际应用。对于PEM燃料电池，成本和耐用性是两个主要的障碍，在PEMFC系统在经济上可行之前必须克服。基于PT的成本仍然占燃料电池成本的很大一部分，但PT仍然是燃料电池中最好的催化剂。因此，使用超低PT负载的低成本和稳定催化剂的开发将为我们提供减少商业生存能力的成本和性能差距的方法。单原子催化剂是一个非常有前途的选择，但其控制的合成和稳定性需要得到很好的解决。该区域中的两个特定目标包括：（i）通过ALD合成单原子或簇Pt的催化剂，以及（ii）通过设计稳定剂的设计和催化剂的支持来稳定单原子催化剂。可以预期，单个原子催化剂将是提供更高催化性能，高催化剂利用率，高耐用性和更长的燃料电池运行寿命的理想材料。最近，所有固态电池（SSB）最近吸引了比以往任何时候都更具研究和工业利益。 SSB的优点更安全，能量密度更高。但是，仍然存在一些关键挑战，包括界面问题和SSB中的金属保护措施。这两个具体目标是：（i）稳定电极和电解质之间的固态LI电池的界面； （ii）保护所有固态电池的LI/NA金属。预计该项目的结果将用于协助稳定和长寿固态电池的生产。该计划的成功完成将对加拿大产业以及通过加速燃料电池和固态电池商业化过程，同时减少环境污染，从而对加拿大行业和全球纳米技术社区有益。