Degradation of atomically dispersed M-N-C carbon catalysts in acidic media. This project aims to provide a clear understanding of the degradation mechanisms of transition metal (M) and nitrogen (N) co-doped carbon (M-N-C) catalysts in acidic media by utilising new model catalysts, standardised degradation tests, comprehensive catalyst characterisation, and machine learning tools to interrogate mechanistic hypotheses and link degradation mechanisms to specific catalyst characteristics. This proje ....Degradation of atomically dispersed M-N-C carbon catalysts in acidic media. This project aims to provide a clear understanding of the degradation mechanisms of transition metal (M) and nitrogen (N) co-doped carbon (M-N-C) catalysts in acidic media by utilising new model catalysts, standardised degradation tests, comprehensive catalyst characterisation, and machine learning tools to interrogate mechanistic hypotheses and link degradation mechanisms to specific catalyst characteristics. This project expects to generate new knowledge on rationally designing robust hydrogen fuel cell catalysts. This will provide significant benefits, such as new knowledge on catalyst degradation, new catalysts for energy conversion applications, and collaborations with the industry to accelerate Australia’s shift to renewable energy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100596
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Lithium-Ion Conducting Sulfide Cathodes for All-Solid-State Li–S Batteries. The aim of the project is to develop lithium-ion conducting sulphide cathode materials for high-performance all-solid-state lithium-sulphur (Li–S) batteries. Substituting solid-state electrolyte for liquid electrolyte is the most efficient approach to eliminate the polysulfide shuttle effect, which is the biggest obstacle for the practical application of Li–S batteries based on liquid electrolytes. The project aims to de ....Lithium-Ion Conducting Sulfide Cathodes for All-Solid-State Li–S Batteries. The aim of the project is to develop lithium-ion conducting sulphide cathode materials for high-performance all-solid-state lithium-sulphur (Li–S) batteries. Substituting solid-state electrolyte for liquid electrolyte is the most efficient approach to eliminate the polysulfide shuttle effect, which is the biggest obstacle for the practical application of Li–S batteries based on liquid electrolytes. The project aims to develop novel Li2S-rich cathode materials with high lithium-ion conductivity, which will form the basis of all-solid-state Li–S batteries with high energy density. The new battery is expected to have wide applications in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles and grid-scale renewable energy storage.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101293
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
Nanoporous Iron-Based Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting. This project aims to develop high-performance water splitting devices based on nanoporous iron-based oxygen evolution electrocatalysts. The devices, which will produce hydrogen to relieve the energy shortage in Australia, can be powered by photovoltaic and wind-generated electricity or directly use solar energy. The development of new energy materials that can be used to make renewable and clean fuels from abundant and ....Nanoporous Iron-Based Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting. This project aims to develop high-performance water splitting devices based on nanoporous iron-based oxygen evolution electrocatalysts. The devices, which will produce hydrogen to relieve the energy shortage in Australia, can be powered by photovoltaic and wind-generated electricity or directly use solar energy. The development of new energy materials that can be used to make renewable and clean fuels from abundant and easily accessible resources is among the most challenging and demanding tasks today. The combination of iron doping and nanoporous structure are intended to improve both the intrinsic and extrinsic catalytic activities of the electrocatalysts to be developed in the project.Read moreRead less
Solid-state lithium batteries using phase-stabilised electrolytes. This project aims to develop advanced lithium batteries using multifunctional phase-stabilised solid-state electrolytes. Solid-state lithium batteries are the ultimate end goal of the battery industry, owing to their unique features including no fire hazard, high energy and power densities, and long service lifespan. By combining nanofabrication and novel electrolyte materials, the project expects to boost the performances of sol ....Solid-state lithium batteries using phase-stabilised electrolytes. This project aims to develop advanced lithium batteries using multifunctional phase-stabilised solid-state electrolytes. Solid-state lithium batteries are the ultimate end goal of the battery industry, owing to their unique features including no fire hazard, high energy and power densities, and long service lifespan. By combining nanofabrication and novel electrolyte materials, the project expects to boost the performances of solid-state lithium batteries, establishing them as an advanced energy technology to meet future energy storage and conversion needs. The newly developed battery technology will be widely used for portable electronics, electric vehicles and smart electricity grids that integrate renewable energy sources.Read moreRead less
Photochemical toolkit based on tetracyanoquinodimethane metal-organic semiconducting hybrids. This project aims to develop low-cost light-activated materials for flexible electronics, wearable sensors, antimicrobial fabrics and highly active catalysts. A photochemical toolkit will be developed comprising ultraviolet-active zinc oxide, visible-active metals and visible/infrared-active charge transfer semiconducting materials. Hybridisation of these components will create materials photoactive acr ....Photochemical toolkit based on tetracyanoquinodimethane metal-organic semiconducting hybrids. This project aims to develop low-cost light-activated materials for flexible electronics, wearable sensors, antimicrobial fabrics and highly active catalysts. A photochemical toolkit will be developed comprising ultraviolet-active zinc oxide, visible-active metals and visible/infrared-active charge transfer semiconducting materials. Hybridisation of these components will create materials photoactive across the solar spectrum, leading to photo-redox catalysis and light-activated antimicrobial applications. These materials are expected to lead to cost-effective industrial processes, efficient environmental monitoring, clean-up of industrially-contaminated water streams, infection control in wounds and healthcare settings, and advancing consumer technology platforms.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale electrochemical imaging of catalyst inks for water oxidation. This project aims to reduce the cost of current water splitting technology by making new catalysts from earth abundant materials that will ensure a sustainable technological solution for the storage of renewable energy. This technology is an excellent solution to storing energy from intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar as it generates hydrogen which is a clean fuel. Using new techniques that can image the cata ....Nanoscale electrochemical imaging of catalyst inks for water oxidation. This project aims to reduce the cost of current water splitting technology by making new catalysts from earth abundant materials that will ensure a sustainable technological solution for the storage of renewable energy. This technology is an excellent solution to storing energy from intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar as it generates hydrogen which is a clean fuel. Using new techniques that can image the catalyst at the nanoscale while it is operating is expected to provide the knowledge for developing the next generation of water splitting electrolysers that can be utilised by households and businesses for storing solar or wind energy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101306
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,000.00
Summary
Porous Metal Phosphonate Ion Exchange Membranes for Redox Flow Batteries. The high-performance storage and utilisation of renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy, will provide a direct response to Australia's energy and climate issues. This project aims to develop porous metal phosphonate ion exchange membranes, which can be used in the redox flow battery, one of the most powerful, large-scale energy storage devices, with large capacity, high efficiency, long life and low cost. The proje ....Porous Metal Phosphonate Ion Exchange Membranes for Redox Flow Batteries. The high-performance storage and utilisation of renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy, will provide a direct response to Australia's energy and climate issues. This project aims to develop porous metal phosphonate ion exchange membranes, which can be used in the redox flow battery, one of the most powerful, large-scale energy storage devices, with large capacity, high efficiency, long life and low cost. The project aims to improve the overall performance and fabrication of redox flow batteries, promote capacity and efficiency, and reduce the cost of renewable energy storage thereby benefiting the Australian economy and environment.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Clean Fuels Production. This project aims to develop single-component and hybrid transition-metal and metal-free electrocatalysts with controllable nanostructures to efficiently and selectively catalyse carbon dioxide reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions for clean fuels production including hydrogen and low-carbon organic molecules. By combining experimental and theoretical modelling, this project plans to reveal the origins, mechanism and pathway of the ....Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Clean Fuels Production. This project aims to develop single-component and hybrid transition-metal and metal-free electrocatalysts with controllable nanostructures to efficiently and selectively catalyse carbon dioxide reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions for clean fuels production including hydrogen and low-carbon organic molecules. By combining experimental and theoretical modelling, this project plans to reveal the origins, mechanism and pathway of these reactions, and the effect of catalyst composition and morphology on their performance. The resulting nanostructured catalysts are of great importance for feasible clean fuel generation and carbon dioxide reduction.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100656
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,742.00
Summary
Aqueous-based potassium ion batteries for scalable energy storage. The aim of this project is to develop aqueous-based potassium ion batteries for new energy storage applications that currently have barely been studied. This project will design novel cathode/anode materials and electrolytes to significantly advance knowledge in this new technology. The expected outcomes include high-performance aqueous-based potassium ion batteries, while new fundamental knowledge of the reaction mechanisms will ....Aqueous-based potassium ion batteries for scalable energy storage. The aim of this project is to develop aqueous-based potassium ion batteries for new energy storage applications that currently have barely been studied. This project will design novel cathode/anode materials and electrolytes to significantly advance knowledge in this new technology. The expected outcomes include high-performance aqueous-based potassium ion batteries, while new fundamental knowledge of the reaction mechanisms will enhance our research capabilities to position Australia as a leader in potassium ion storage.Read moreRead less
Batteries of the future-a new strategy for CO2 fixation and energy storage. This project aims to develop metal-carbon dioxide batteries with high specific energy densities for carbon dioxide capture as well as energy conversion and storage. Metal-carbon dioxide batteries are promising not only for conversion of waste carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals, but also for storage of electricity from renewable power and balancing of the carbon cycle. By combining experimental work and theoretical m ....Batteries of the future-a new strategy for CO2 fixation and energy storage. This project aims to develop metal-carbon dioxide batteries with high specific energy densities for carbon dioxide capture as well as energy conversion and storage. Metal-carbon dioxide batteries are promising not only for conversion of waste carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals, but also for storage of electricity from renewable power and balancing of the carbon cycle. By combining experimental work and theoretical modelling, this study will explore novel electrode materials via catalyst design and understanding of the underlying reaction mechanisms. The outcomes will revolutionize battery technology and position Australia as a global leader in the critical transition to a decarbonized economy.Read moreRead less