Targeted synthesis of porous materials towards gas sorption and separation. Targeted synthesis, using a building block strategy and computational design, is an efficient method for controlled synthesis of porous materials. This project uses this method to synthesise porous materials with permanent functional pores for separating and storing fuels and greenhouse gases, addressing demanding energy and environmental problems.
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
Controllable Synthesis of Defects in Catalysts for Electrocatalysis . This project aims to address the most critical issue of electrocatalysis: identification of active sites for carbon-based metal free catalysts (CMFCs). Through the development of new methodologies, this proposal will, for the first time, controllably synthesise the vacancy defects that are the major active sites for CMFCs. The expected outcomes from this project include in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of electrocata ....Controllable Synthesis of Defects in Catalysts for Electrocatalysis . This project aims to address the most critical issue of electrocatalysis: identification of active sites for carbon-based metal free catalysts (CMFCs). Through the development of new methodologies, this proposal will, for the first time, controllably synthesise the vacancy defects that are the major active sites for CMFCs. The expected outcomes from this project include in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of electrocatalysis: the reactivity of active sites and the catalytic performance with the number of active sites; which will not only significantly advance knowledge but also achieve breakthrough technologies that greatly benefit to the society and economy both for Australia and worldwide.Read moreRead less
Carbon-based electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage and water desalination. Clean energy and water resource are two critical issues for an environmentally sustainable Australia. The research project will lead to the discovery of innovative carbon-based electrode materials with well-designed physical and chemical properties for clean energy storage and alternative water desalination technology.
2D heterostructures with ultrafast interlayer transport for energy devices. This project aims to design novel 2D heterostructures with ultrafast interlayer transport properties and to modulate the associated optical, electric, catalytic, surface and storage properties by using a combination of experimental and computational approaches for sustainable energy applications, such as fuel generation and energy conversion and storage devices. This project expects to generate new knowledge in materials ....2D heterostructures with ultrafast interlayer transport for energy devices. This project aims to design novel 2D heterostructures with ultrafast interlayer transport properties and to modulate the associated optical, electric, catalytic, surface and storage properties by using a combination of experimental and computational approaches for sustainable energy applications, such as fuel generation and energy conversion and storage devices. This project expects to generate new knowledge in materials science and nanotechnology and make fundamental breakthroughs in new sustainable energy technologies. The outcomes of this project will facilitate the development of novel materials and low-cost sustainable energy in Australia with access to an enormous global market. Read moreRead less
Phase Change Materials for Wind and Solar Energy Storage. This project aims to develop and demonstrate new phase change materials to advance the technology of thermal energy storage. The project will focus on new materials that store thermal energy in the temperature range between 100 - 220°C that is optimal for distributed storage of solar and wind energy. The utility and economics of renewable energy sources are strongly limited by their intermittent nature and inexpensive means of storage are ....Phase Change Materials for Wind and Solar Energy Storage. This project aims to develop and demonstrate new phase change materials to advance the technology of thermal energy storage. The project will focus on new materials that store thermal energy in the temperature range between 100 - 220°C that is optimal for distributed storage of solar and wind energy. The utility and economics of renewable energy sources are strongly limited by their intermittent nature and inexpensive means of storage are urgently required. Expected outcomes of this project include a practical technology, which can be implemented at household and industry level, providing cheap energy from zero-carbon sources. The project aims to provide significant benefits to energy users and support further development of renewables.Read moreRead less
Metallo-Supramolecular Materials for Chiral Discrimination and Enantiomeric Separation. Separating mixtures of molecules is one of the most enduring challenges in the chemical sciences and accounts for a significant cost burden in many industrial applications. This project aims to design and prepare new chiral self-assembled materials that contain cavities of predictable sizes and shapes. These materials, including molecular capsules, cages and network solids, will act to selectivity bind differ ....Metallo-Supramolecular Materials for Chiral Discrimination and Enantiomeric Separation. Separating mixtures of molecules is one of the most enduring challenges in the chemical sciences and accounts for a significant cost burden in many industrial applications. This project aims to design and prepare new chiral self-assembled materials that contain cavities of predictable sizes and shapes. These materials, including molecular capsules, cages and network solids, will act to selectivity bind different chemical substrates within their chiral encapsulated spaces, thus enabling the straight-forward separation of racemic mixtures of molecules. Small molecules with enantiomeric purity are a fundamental requirement as starting materials for drug development and a wide range of pharmaceutical applications.Read moreRead less
Green synthesis of organometal perovskite solar cells. This project aims to understand the mechanism that governs the formation and crystallisation process of organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite films from non-toxic, environmentally friendly, protic ionic liquids. The project will develop new ionic liquid solvent systems that deliver appropriate morphology, and electrical and optical properties to fabricate high performance perovskite solar cells using environmentally friendly, low-toxicity ....Green synthesis of organometal perovskite solar cells. This project aims to understand the mechanism that governs the formation and crystallisation process of organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite films from non-toxic, environmentally friendly, protic ionic liquids. The project will develop new ionic liquid solvent systems that deliver appropriate morphology, and electrical and optical properties to fabricate high performance perovskite solar cells using environmentally friendly, low-toxicity processes. Successful achievement of the outcomes will enable environmentally-friendly, industrial scale processing of perovskite materials, placing Australia at the forefront of organometallic perovskite materials processing with applications in renewable energy and other electro-optical applications.Read moreRead less
Bio-inspired two-dimensional nanomaterials for sustainable applications. This project aims to design multifunctional nanomaterials in the form of two-dimensional (2D) structures or architectures with targeted extraordinary bio-mimicking functions for sustainable development and energy applications by learning the best from nature. Millions of years of evolution and natural selection have turned the biological world into an effective materials-development laboratory. The project expects to enhanc ....Bio-inspired two-dimensional nanomaterials for sustainable applications. This project aims to design multifunctional nanomaterials in the form of two-dimensional (2D) structures or architectures with targeted extraordinary bio-mimicking functions for sustainable development and energy applications by learning the best from nature. Millions of years of evolution and natural selection have turned the biological world into an effective materials-development laboratory. The project expects to enhance research and innovation in materials science, nanotechnology, and biological science, and lead to advances in the chemical industry and sustainable environmental and energy applications in Australia. Read moreRead less
Dyes and Pigments as Building Blocks for Novel High Performance Organic Semiconductors. Natural dyes and pigments are well known for their bright colours, photochemical and thermal stability, and cheap cost. Recently, the necessity of high performing materials in the organic electronics has stimulated a renaissance of these historical molecules and their subsequent derivatives into new families of ?-conjugated building blocks used to construct new donor-acceptor semiconductors. The aim of this p ....Dyes and Pigments as Building Blocks for Novel High Performance Organic Semiconductors. Natural dyes and pigments are well known for their bright colours, photochemical and thermal stability, and cheap cost. Recently, the necessity of high performing materials in the organic electronics has stimulated a renaissance of these historical molecules and their subsequent derivatives into new families of ?-conjugated building blocks used to construct new donor-acceptor semiconductors. The aim of this project is to explore various novel dyes, pigments and their derivatives for constructing outstanding materials for future organic electronics.Read moreRead less