A Midas touch for electrophiles in new reaction development. This project aims to address the lack of knowledge about how high-value organic molecules are formed in gold-catalysed reactions by advancing a novel mode of catalysis. This project expects to generate new knowledge about these gold-catalysed reactions using an innovative, interdisciplinary approach incorporating computational and synthetic techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include the optimisation and development of import ....A Midas touch for electrophiles in new reaction development. This project aims to address the lack of knowledge about how high-value organic molecules are formed in gold-catalysed reactions by advancing a novel mode of catalysis. This project expects to generate new knowledge about these gold-catalysed reactions using an innovative, interdisciplinary approach incorporating computational and synthetic techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include the optimisation and development of important organic reactions and enhancing collaboration nationally and internationally between computational and synthetic chemists. This should provide significant benefits in the form of improved chemical reactions for chemists to prepare new pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and materials.Read moreRead less
C-H to C-F using electrochemistry and gold catalysis. Gold offers great potential in chemical catalysis and this project will use a fascinating new class of gold compounds discovered by the CIs, to develop novel catalysts. Using this chemistry a series of gold(III) compounds with fluoride ligands will be prepared. The catalytic properties of these molecules will then be explored, with a particular focus on adding value to arene hydrocarbons. The ultimate goal of the project is development of new ....C-H to C-F using electrochemistry and gold catalysis. Gold offers great potential in chemical catalysis and this project will use a fascinating new class of gold compounds discovered by the CIs, to develop novel catalysts. Using this chemistry a series of gold(III) compounds with fluoride ligands will be prepared. The catalytic properties of these molecules will then be explored, with a particular focus on adding value to arene hydrocarbons. The ultimate goal of the project is development of new catalysts for the formation of carbon-fluorine bonds and the selective fluorination of organic
compounds. Fluorinated organic molecules are of critical importance in medicinal chemistry and new catalysts of this type offers the potential for better synthesis of medicines and diagnostic agents.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100468
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
Scalable high-performance electrolytic hydrogen generator. The project aims to demonstrate energy-efficient generation of compressed hydrogen by water electrolysis in a high pressure electrolyser test-rig produced by Melbourne company Energys Australia P/L, using high-performance membrane-electrode assemblies. Innovative electrode architectures, membranes, and method for their high through-put lamination will be developed. New knowledge in catalysis, device fabrication and materials science is e ....Scalable high-performance electrolytic hydrogen generator. The project aims to demonstrate energy-efficient generation of compressed hydrogen by water electrolysis in a high pressure electrolyser test-rig produced by Melbourne company Energys Australia P/L, using high-performance membrane-electrode assemblies. Innovative electrode architectures, membranes, and method for their high through-put lamination will be developed. New knowledge in catalysis, device fabrication and materials science is expected to be generated. The major project outcome is sustainable method for generation of compressed hydrogen at significantly reduced cost as compared to the existing technologies. Benefits include industry-ready processes for electrolyser and hydrogen production that support Australian energy industries.Read moreRead less
High-productivity ammonia electrosynthesis. The aim of this project is to develop and demonstrate high-performance devices for ammonia production from renewables by a scalable electrolysis method. This will be achieved by experimental and modelling investigations of the nitrogen reduction reaction to guide the design of tailor-made cathodes. New knowledge in catalysis and materials science is expected to be generated. The target outcome of the project is a sustainable and affordable ammonia synt ....High-productivity ammonia electrosynthesis. The aim of this project is to develop and demonstrate high-performance devices for ammonia production from renewables by a scalable electrolysis method. This will be achieved by experimental and modelling investigations of the nitrogen reduction reaction to guide the design of tailor-made cathodes. New knowledge in catalysis and materials science is expected to be generated. The target outcome of the project is a sustainable and affordable ammonia synthesis method as an alternative to the current fossil-fuels-based and excessively greenhouse-emitting process. The technology to be developed in this project is anticipated to be of significant benefit to the Australian agriculture sector as a local, on-demand source of low-cost fertilisers.Read moreRead less
New dimensions of electrocatalyst design for sustainable energy future. This project aims to produce valuable chemicals from air, water and Australia’s abundant renewable energy, by developing efficient, robust catalysts for water oxidation, nitrogen reduction and ammonia oxidation — key processes for sustainable production of green fuels and fertilisers. The interdisciplinary project strategy will use a suite of advanced instrumental and theoretical tools to understand and control how catalysts ....New dimensions of electrocatalyst design for sustainable energy future. This project aims to produce valuable chemicals from air, water and Australia’s abundant renewable energy, by developing efficient, robust catalysts for water oxidation, nitrogen reduction and ammonia oxidation — key processes for sustainable production of green fuels and fertilisers. The interdisciplinary project strategy will use a suite of advanced instrumental and theoretical tools to understand and control how catalysts operate. Expected outcomes include new techniques to study catalysts, new catalyst design concepts, and novel high-performance catalytic materials and devices for sustainable electrosynthesis. These new technologies should reduce emissions and help Australia be a world leader in renewable-energy and fertiliser export.Read moreRead less
Innovations in Green Chemical Manufacture from Synchrotron based Techniques. This project aims to find sustainable ways to produce commodity chemicals by developing new catalysts. New synchrotron techniques will be developed and applied to provide new knowledge about the spatial and temporal factors affecting the selectivity and efficiency of electron transfer, redox reactions and diffusion, key for catalyst design. Expected outcomes include the development of new catalysts, new catalyst design ....Innovations in Green Chemical Manufacture from Synchrotron based Techniques. This project aims to find sustainable ways to produce commodity chemicals by developing new catalysts. New synchrotron techniques will be developed and applied to provide new knowledge about the spatial and temporal factors affecting the selectivity and efficiency of electron transfer, redox reactions and diffusion, key for catalyst design. Expected outcomes include the development of new catalysts, new catalyst design concepts and a knowledge repository/database of analytical observations key for unlocking new materials knowledge. This should provide significant economic and environmental benefits by placing Australia at the forefront of the sustainable production of commodity chemicals.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured solid acid catalysts for sustainable chemical manufacturing. This project aims to develop next-generation solid acid catalysts for energy- and atom-efficient transformations of waste biomass and carbon dioxide to sustainable chemicals and fuels. Catalysis is a transformative technology, key to both life and lifestyle, contributing to 90% of chemical manufacturing processes and >20% of all industrial products, and will be a key enabler for the emerging Australian bioeconomy. The ex ....Nanostructured solid acid catalysts for sustainable chemical manufacturing. This project aims to develop next-generation solid acid catalysts for energy- and atom-efficient transformations of waste biomass and carbon dioxide to sustainable chemicals and fuels. Catalysis is a transformative technology, key to both life and lifestyle, contributing to 90% of chemical manufacturing processes and >20% of all industrial products, and will be a key enabler for the emerging Australian bioeconomy. The expected development of new high performance catalysts for the production of renewable transportation fuels and sustainable chemical feedstocks will underpin commercially viable low carbon technologies using waste resources, and should provide significant benefits to Australian science, industry, and the environment.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100138
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,804.00
Summary
Developing Switchable Ligands to Control Gold Nanocluster Interfaces. This project aims to unlock the promising catalytic activity of protected gold nanoclusters by developing switchable ligands capable of undergoing controlled detachment and exchange. This project expects to provide a detailed understanding of how the gold thiolate interface of nanoclusters influences their physical and chemical properties. Expected outcomes include the design of improved catalysts for chemical synthesis and bi ....Developing Switchable Ligands to Control Gold Nanocluster Interfaces. This project aims to unlock the promising catalytic activity of protected gold nanoclusters by developing switchable ligands capable of undergoing controlled detachment and exchange. This project expects to provide a detailed understanding of how the gold thiolate interface of nanoclusters influences their physical and chemical properties. Expected outcomes include the design of improved catalysts for chemical synthesis and biological assays using computer aided chemical modelling. These catalysts should be easier to recover after use, which should improve cost-effectiveness. They should also improve the accuracy of biological sensors, which could ultimately be used for the rapid and early detection of diseases.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100449
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,000.00
Summary
High-performance ammonia electrosynthesis devices. The project aims to develop a robust process for electrosynthesis of ammonia using devices manufactured by Melbourne company Jupiter Ionics P/L and innovative electrolyte components. Towards this aim, tailored ion-shuttling compounds need to be designed and investigated to enable continuous generation of ammonia in scaled-up flow devices. This is expected to generate new knowledge in practical electrochemistry, catalysis and sustainable synthesi ....High-performance ammonia electrosynthesis devices. The project aims to develop a robust process for electrosynthesis of ammonia using devices manufactured by Melbourne company Jupiter Ionics P/L and innovative electrolyte components. Towards this aim, tailored ion-shuttling compounds need to be designed and investigated to enable continuous generation of ammonia in scaled-up flow devices. This is expected to generate new knowledge in practical electrochemistry, catalysis and sustainable synthesis. Key project outcome is a technology for production of ammonia from renewables that is pollution-free and highly scalable in contrast to the current process. Resulting benefit to Australian agriculture businesses is a method for distributed fertiliser generation without the use of fossil fuels.Read moreRead less
Perovskite-Based Ferroelectrics for Solar Fuel Production. This project aims to develop perovskite-based ferroelectrics for photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction to produce solar fuels. It is expected to reveal the relationship of ferroelectric polarisation and photocatalytic behaviour, thereby promoting solar energy utilisation and greenhouse gas reduction. Expected outcomes include delivery of a novel family of chemically and structurally controlled ferroelectrics and catalytic reaction prot ....Perovskite-Based Ferroelectrics for Solar Fuel Production. This project aims to develop perovskite-based ferroelectrics for photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction to produce solar fuels. It is expected to reveal the relationship of ferroelectric polarisation and photocatalytic behaviour, thereby promoting solar energy utilisation and greenhouse gas reduction. Expected outcomes include delivery of a novel family of chemically and structurally controlled ferroelectrics and catalytic reaction prototypes for efficient carbon dioxide photoreduction, and in-depth understanding of structure-performance correlation to guide future polar catalysts design. This project should provide significant benefits in minimising fossil fuel consumption, increasing energy security, and expanding clean energy industry.Read moreRead less