Development of nonvolatile fast proton-transport materials. There are many problems with existing proton-transport materials for emerging fuel cell applications such as electric vehicles. A high proton conductivity and high thermal stability are some of the requirements for fuel cell electrolytes. The aims of this project are to develop nonvolatile proton-transport matrices based on zwitterionic liquids with various acids, develop polymer gel materials based on these, and characterize these ne ....Development of nonvolatile fast proton-transport materials. There are many problems with existing proton-transport materials for emerging fuel cell applications such as electric vehicles. A high proton conductivity and high thermal stability are some of the requirements for fuel cell electrolytes. The aims of this project are to develop nonvolatile proton-transport matrices based on zwitterionic liquids with various acids, develop polymer gel materials based on these, and characterize these new proton-transport materials by analyzing ionic conductivity, viscosity, thermal behaviors, and their interrelationships.Read moreRead less
Advanced Polymer Electrolytes for Device Applications. The future of an energy sustainable society relies upon the development of a range of technologies that will involve devices such as lithium batteries, supercapacitors, sensors and fuel cells. One of the key challenges is the discovery and development of high performance materials which overcome performance limiting issues such as conductivity, durability and stability in current devices. Our recent discovery of novel successful approaches ....Advanced Polymer Electrolytes for Device Applications. The future of an energy sustainable society relies upon the development of a range of technologies that will involve devices such as lithium batteries, supercapacitors, sensors and fuel cells. One of the key challenges is the discovery and development of high performance materials which overcome performance limiting issues such as conductivity, durability and stability in current devices. Our recent discovery of novel successful approaches to the design of improved electrolyte materials will be systematically exploited to develop materials that will provide the significant advance in device performance that is required.Read moreRead less
Future sodium based electrochemical energy storage technologies. New rechargeable batteries will be developed through the use of breakthrough electrolytes based on liquid salts. These batteries are vital for the widespread use of renewables in Australia's electricity grid. They will also enable new generations of environmental sensor technology.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100005
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,000.00
Summary
Perovskite-based electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. This project aims to develop novel perovskite-based catalysts with high catalytic activity and long-term stability for the practical application of alkaline water splitting. A new family of overall water-splitting materials in alkaline media based on low-cost and earth-abundant perovskite oxides will be developed, which offer a viable alternative to the benchmark noble metal-based catalysts. Clean hydrogen energy generated by these effici ....Perovskite-based electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. This project aims to develop novel perovskite-based catalysts with high catalytic activity and long-term stability for the practical application of alkaline water splitting. A new family of overall water-splitting materials in alkaline media based on low-cost and earth-abundant perovskite oxides will be developed, which offer a viable alternative to the benchmark noble metal-based catalysts. Clean hydrogen energy generated by these efficient perovskite catalysts will not only reduce carbon dioxide emissions and alleviate air pollution, but also create opportunities for Australian industries, such as the widespread use of renewable solar and wind energy and fuel cell vehicles.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100427
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,000.00
Summary
Engineered multifunctional membranes for aqueous organic redox flow battery. This project aims to develop multifunctional membranes with high ion conductivity and selectivity and high energy density to address the key challenges in the development of aqueous organic redox flow battery for renewable energy storage. The project will develop novel methodologies for precisely tuning and functionalising microporous materials to achieve cost-effective and scalable fabrication of membranes with multi-f ....Engineered multifunctional membranes for aqueous organic redox flow battery. This project aims to develop multifunctional membranes with high ion conductivity and selectivity and high energy density to address the key challenges in the development of aqueous organic redox flow battery for renewable energy storage. The project will develop novel methodologies for precisely tuning and functionalising microporous materials to achieve cost-effective and scalable fabrication of membranes with multi-functions, thus improving the energy efficiency and retaining the cycling capacity of redox flow batteries. The advancement of multifunctional membranes will enhance the efficiency of storage of intermittent and fluctuating renewable resources, thereby contributing to the reduction of carbon footprint in Australia. Read moreRead less
Advanced Na battery technology; key to transforming society's energy use. This project aims to advance energy storage technology based on low cost and sustainable sodium chemistry through understanding new electrode and electrolyte materials combinations, particularly to enhance the way charge is moved across the electrolyte–electrode interface. Sodium batteries represent a low-cost alternative to existing lithium devices and their development will affect a broad range of technologies. This is e ....Advanced Na battery technology; key to transforming society's energy use. This project aims to advance energy storage technology based on low cost and sustainable sodium chemistry through understanding new electrode and electrolyte materials combinations, particularly to enhance the way charge is moved across the electrolyte–electrode interface. Sodium batteries represent a low-cost alternative to existing lithium devices and their development will affect a broad range of technologies. This is especially relevant to electric vehicles and renewable energy where large, expensive batteries are needed.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100129
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,200.00
Summary
Atomic layer nanofabrication system for multi-functional applications. This project aims to establish a multifunctional atomic layer nanofabrication facility in Sydney with the capacity to provide services nation-wide. The facility has powerful capabilities to produce mono-atom thin films, nanosize powders and two-dimensional nanostructures of a variety of materials, including elemental metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal sulfides, metal-metal compounds, and polymers. This will significa ....Atomic layer nanofabrication system for multi-functional applications. This project aims to establish a multifunctional atomic layer nanofabrication facility in Sydney with the capacity to provide services nation-wide. The facility has powerful capabilities to produce mono-atom thin films, nanosize powders and two-dimensional nanostructures of a variety of materials, including elemental metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal sulfides, metal-metal compounds, and polymers. This will significantly enhance Australian research and industrial activities in the areas of renewable energy production and storage, microelectronics, chemical and bio-sensors, protective coatings, flexible electronic devices, and catalysis.Read moreRead less
Characterization and design of new soft electrolyte materials. The use of fossil fuels for energy generation contributes heavily to global warming. The development of new types of energy sources (e.g. fuel cells) and energy storage devices (e.g. batteries) is of crucial importance to ease this pressure on the environment. The search for new, high energy-density electrolyte materials for these applications is intense. Recently, plastic crystal materials have been identified as potential electroly ....Characterization and design of new soft electrolyte materials. The use of fossil fuels for energy generation contributes heavily to global warming. The development of new types of energy sources (e.g. fuel cells) and energy storage devices (e.g. batteries) is of crucial importance to ease this pressure on the environment. The search for new, high energy-density electrolyte materials for these applications is intense. Recently, plastic crystal materials have been identified as potential electrolytes in a variety of electrochemical devices. These materials show high conductivity at ambient temperatures in their plastic (or soft) phase. This project aims to further investigate and develop these novel materials.Read moreRead less
Increasing solid electrolyte conductivity through defect design. This project aims to engineer electrolyte materials, based on organic ionic plastic crystals, and use isomeric doping to improve the ionic conductivity. The development of safer batteries relies on eliminating the volatile and flammable solvents commonly used as the electrolyte. Improving the safety and performance of batteries is important as electricity costs increase. Solid state ionic electrolytes can address leakage and volati ....Increasing solid electrolyte conductivity through defect design. This project aims to engineer electrolyte materials, based on organic ionic plastic crystals, and use isomeric doping to improve the ionic conductivity. The development of safer batteries relies on eliminating the volatile and flammable solvents commonly used as the electrolyte. Improving the safety and performance of batteries is important as electricity costs increase. Solid state ionic electrolytes can address leakage and volatility problems, but the conductivity must be improved if these materials are to support high battery power. The project’s electrolyte materials can be used in lithium metal batteries, which have higher theoretical energy densities than traditional lithium ion batteries. This project will develop new solid state electrolytes, with improved conductivity, and use these materials in emerging lithium battery technologies.Read moreRead less
Computational approaches to selection and design of ionic materials. Advanced batteries, fuel cells and solar cell technologies are beginning to use ionic liquids/plastic crystals as electrolytes due to their superb stability and valuable properties. As a broad class these ionic materials have only been known for the last 10 years or so and there is much to learn about their structure and properties. The project will develop and advance quantum chemical techniques for selection and design of ion ....Computational approaches to selection and design of ionic materials. Advanced batteries, fuel cells and solar cell technologies are beginning to use ionic liquids/plastic crystals as electrolytes due to their superb stability and valuable properties. As a broad class these ionic materials have only been known for the last 10 years or so and there is much to learn about their structure and properties. The project will develop and advance quantum chemical techniques for selection and design of ionic materials with the goal of developing electrolytes for a range of applications from advanced metal batteries, solar cells to fuel cells. These applications will have impact on energy efficiency and energy conservation by enabling CO2 replacing technologies. Read moreRead less