New high performance zinc bromine batteries with novel electrode/electrolyte systems. Renewable sources of energy are of particular interest in the era of diminishing fossil fuels. Efficient energy storage is a missing link for renewable energy. Zinc-bromine batteries have great potential as energy storage. This project will aim to fundamentally re-design the existing first generation systems to improve power density by 300-400 per cent.
Efficient ionic liquid-based reduction of nitrogen to ammonia. This project aims to develop a hybrid ionic liquid-nanostructured electrode platform to electrochemically convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. Ammonia production, mostly for fertilisers, consumes more than 1% of the global energy supply and contributes 1.6 % of global carbon dioxide emissions. A process that could convert nitrogen to ammonia using renewable energy would be an important alternative approach. This project will develop a pl ....Efficient ionic liquid-based reduction of nitrogen to ammonia. This project aims to develop a hybrid ionic liquid-nanostructured electrode platform to electrochemically convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. Ammonia production, mostly for fertilisers, consumes more than 1% of the global energy supply and contributes 1.6 % of global carbon dioxide emissions. A process that could convert nitrogen to ammonia using renewable energy would be an important alternative approach. This project will develop a platform for electrochemical conversion of nitrogen gas to ammonia and optimise it for use with surplus renewable energy supplies. The project is expected to contribute to mitigation of greenhouse emissions and create a technology for distributed production of ammonia and ammonium fertilisers.Read moreRead less
Electrolytic Recovery of Titanium and Direct Deposition of Fe-Ti Alloys using Novel Electrolytes. The use of novel electrolytes based on ionic liquids will be investigated with a view to developing efficient means of titanium (Ti) recovery and purification. The nature of the electrolyte used as well as the electrode substrate and the electrochemical parameters will be optimised with a view to achieving Ti deposits of high purity or Fe-Ti alloys of controlled composition. The effect of these pa ....Electrolytic Recovery of Titanium and Direct Deposition of Fe-Ti Alloys using Novel Electrolytes. The use of novel electrolytes based on ionic liquids will be investigated with a view to developing efficient means of titanium (Ti) recovery and purification. The nature of the electrolyte used as well as the electrode substrate and the electrochemical parameters will be optimised with a view to achieving Ti deposits of high purity or Fe-Ti alloys of controlled composition. The effect of these parameters on the morphology of the deposits obtained will be determined. The products obtained here are expected to find application in construction industries and for energy storage.Read moreRead less
Mesoporous conducting carbon-based materials for energy. This project aims to synthesise highly ordered mesoporous conducting polymers and graphitic carbons with a high conductivity, different pore structures, tuneable pore diameters, and functionalised with transition metal oxide nanoparticles. It will make a highly efficient, low cost and stable energy storage device using functionalised mesoporous conducting polymeric and graphitic electrodes that combine pseudo capacitance and electrical dou ....Mesoporous conducting carbon-based materials for energy. This project aims to synthesise highly ordered mesoporous conducting polymers and graphitic carbons with a high conductivity, different pore structures, tuneable pore diameters, and functionalised with transition metal oxide nanoparticles. It will make a highly efficient, low cost and stable energy storage device using functionalised mesoporous conducting polymeric and graphitic electrodes that combine pseudo capacitance and electrical double layer capacitance, high power and energy density and a long cycle life. This electrode system for supercapacitors is expected to address clean energy generation and environmental problems and create opportunities for Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Improving solar energy utilisation by splitting water with visible light. The project seeks to improve solar-hydrogen fuel production via water splitting by addressing a fundamental scientific roadblock. By engineered nanostructures with controlled charge transfer abilities, the most desirable route to water splitting will be promoted; granting Australia an opportunity to develop a solar-based renewable fuel.
Conducting nanoporous materials: toward molecular devices. This project addresses one of the foremost challenges in the field of advanced functional materials, namely the design and synthesis of nanoporous materials that conduct electrons. The outcomes on both a fundamental and applied level will pave the way toward molecular electronics devices for solid-state sensing to solar energy harvesting.