Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100119
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
Materials characterisation facility for a sustainable future. Sustainable development will require access to large-scale carbon-neutral energy production. The tools provided through this project will enable the development of new knowledge and novel materials and processes technologies that will deliver this carbon-neutral energy.
Nitride materials: In the “bond ionicity Goldilocks zone” for solar energy. Progress towards commercial devices for solar-driven hydrogen generation as well as in-situ electricity generation for vehicles is currently hampered by a lack of earth-abundant, stable, non-toxic semiconductor materials that can be fabricated by scalable methods. This project aims to develop the first scalable solution synthesis methods for a new class of earth-abundant Zn-based nitride semiconductor nanocrystals that h ....Nitride materials: In the “bond ionicity Goldilocks zone” for solar energy. Progress towards commercial devices for solar-driven hydrogen generation as well as in-situ electricity generation for vehicles is currently hampered by a lack of earth-abundant, stable, non-toxic semiconductor materials that can be fabricated by scalable methods. This project aims to develop the first scalable solution synthesis methods for a new class of earth-abundant Zn-based nitride semiconductor nanocrystals that have favourable bond ionicity and establish their optoelectronic properties for renewable energy devices for the first time. Flexible solution processing methods will be exploited to tune surface composition, remove defects and create devices to achieve optimised performance in these challenging new nitride material systems.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science and Innovation. ARC Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science and Innovation. This Centre aims to develop carbon-based catalysts for clean energy, CO2 capture, and green chemistry to reduce emissions. The Centre expects to use pioneering data-guided atomic-precision synthesis and multiscale analysis to transform fundamental science of carbon materials. Expected outcomes of this Centre will benefit new technologies for energy, environmental, and green che ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science and Innovation. ARC Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science and Innovation. This Centre aims to develop carbon-based catalysts for clean energy, CO2 capture, and green chemistry to reduce emissions. The Centre expects to use pioneering data-guided atomic-precision synthesis and multiscale analysis to transform fundamental science of carbon materials. Expected outcomes of this Centre will benefit new technologies for energy, environmental, and green chemical industries by utilising abundant sunlight, seawater, and waste feedstocks. This should provide significant benefits, through industry collaborations, our new world-leading capacity will train a next generation of game changers to empower emerging carbon industries to solve grand socio-economic challenges, ultimately meeting zero-carbon emissions targets.Read moreRead less
Design of Functionalized Mesoporous Fullerenes for Clean Energy. This project aims to design multifunctional, noble metal-free, and highly ordered mesoporous fullerene with a high conductivity and different porous structures, functionalised with nitrogen and/or metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in both powder and film forms. The most promising, stable, and highly efficient noble metal-free electrode catalyst system will be designed with the functionalised mesoporous fullerenes for polymer elec ....Design of Functionalized Mesoporous Fullerenes for Clean Energy. This project aims to design multifunctional, noble metal-free, and highly ordered mesoporous fullerene with a high conductivity and different porous structures, functionalised with nitrogen and/or metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in both powder and film forms. The most promising, stable, and highly efficient noble metal-free electrode catalyst system will be designed with the functionalised mesoporous fullerenes for polymer electrolyte membrane and direct methanol fuel cells. This novel highly efficient and low cost electrode system for fuel cells aims to help address clean energy generation and environmental problems and create new opportunities for Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100752
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Rational Design of Hematite Photoanodes for Solar Hydrogen Generation. Hematite (iron oxide) is a promising electrode material for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation from water. It has low cost, good long-term stability and absorbs light efficiently. However, its use is limited by its poor electrical conductivity. This project aims to develop a novel host-guest nanostructure that exploits the beneficial light-absorption properties of hematite (the guest) but shifts the charge transport fun ....Rational Design of Hematite Photoanodes for Solar Hydrogen Generation. Hematite (iron oxide) is a promising electrode material for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation from water. It has low cost, good long-term stability and absorbs light efficiently. However, its use is limited by its poor electrical conductivity. This project aims to develop a novel host-guest nanostructure that exploits the beneficial light-absorption properties of hematite (the guest) but shifts the charge transport function to a nanostructured transparent conductive oxide host. The project aims to produce nanostructured hematite electrodes for efficient hydrogen production from water and sunlight, thus making a significant contribution to the goal of commercially-viable storage of solar energy in the form of hydrogen.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101565
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$423,193.00
Summary
An Emerging Ionic Chalcogenide Perovskites for Solar Energy Conversion. This project aims to develop a library of earth-abundant chalcogenide perovskite nanocrystals (CPNCs) for efficient solar energy conversion applications. The key concept is to design non-toxic and stable CPNCs using a facile solution process for solar-to-electricity and fuel generation. The intended outcomes include a fundamental understanding of the relationships between the synthesis, structure, photophysics, and electroch ....An Emerging Ionic Chalcogenide Perovskites for Solar Energy Conversion. This project aims to develop a library of earth-abundant chalcogenide perovskite nanocrystals (CPNCs) for efficient solar energy conversion applications. The key concept is to design non-toxic and stable CPNCs using a facile solution process for solar-to-electricity and fuel generation. The intended outcomes include a fundamental understanding of the relationships between the synthesis, structure, photophysics, and electrochemistry by advanced modeling and multiscale characterizations and ultimately the solar-to-electricity and fuel generation performances of new material systems. This project will build a national research capacity in an emerging field and put Australia at the forefront of practical solar energy conversion technologies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100084
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$269,020.00
Summary
Flexible Flame Aerosol Synthesis Technology. Funding is requested to establish a world-leading fabrication facility for nanostructured materials via flame synthesis. This is a scalable fabrication route used for industrial production of most nanoparticle commodities. The aim is to advance current capabilities by providing control over the reaction environment and flame reaction sources. This will extend the range of feasible materials from the current metal oxides to a broad family of nitrides, ....Flexible Flame Aerosol Synthesis Technology. Funding is requested to establish a world-leading fabrication facility for nanostructured materials via flame synthesis. This is a scalable fabrication route used for industrial production of most nanoparticle commodities. The aim is to advance current capabilities by providing control over the reaction environment and flame reaction sources. This will extend the range of feasible materials from the current metal oxides to a broad family of nitrides, sulphides, and metal-organic frameworks, enabling the engineering of electrocatalysts, optoelectronic- and bio-materials. Benefits are expected in terms of fundamental and applied knowledge generation, with impact to the Australian industry sectors of Advanced Manufacturing, Energy and Health.Read moreRead less
Development of high efficiency nanocatalysts using novel electron beam fabrication and imaging techniques. This project will develop a new approach for fabricating and studying nanocatalysts based on our expertise in electron beam induced deposition (EBID) of nanostructured materials and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). ESEM will be used to conduct unique, time-resolved studies of nano-scale, catalysed chemical reactions at elevated temperatures and pressures. The project will ....Development of high efficiency nanocatalysts using novel electron beam fabrication and imaging techniques. This project will develop a new approach for fabricating and studying nanocatalysts based on our expertise in electron beam induced deposition (EBID) of nanostructured materials and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). ESEM will be used to conduct unique, time-resolved studies of nano-scale, catalysed chemical reactions at elevated temperatures and pressures. The project will advance fundamental understanding and applicability of EBID, ESEM and nanocatalysis. It will yield novel, highly efficient, industrially relevant nanocatalysts for the production of renewable (green) and low emission (clean) energy, with particular applications in hydrogen fuel cells and the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101100
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,000.00
Summary
Nanostructured Cu2ZnSnS4 for solar-driven electricity and hydrogen. This project aims to develop cost-effective Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals for two solar devices for electricity and hydrogen production. The copper-zinc-tin-sulphide (Cu2ZnSnS4) nanoparticle for solar cells has been less than two per cent efficient for years and photoelectrochemical devices have been recently recognised but less explored. The combined innovative modification of its nanocrystals, and grain growth approach for enhancing ....Nanostructured Cu2ZnSnS4 for solar-driven electricity and hydrogen. This project aims to develop cost-effective Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals for two solar devices for electricity and hydrogen production. The copper-zinc-tin-sulphide (Cu2ZnSnS4) nanoparticle for solar cells has been less than two per cent efficient for years and photoelectrochemical devices have been recently recognised but less explored. The combined innovative modification of its nanocrystals, and grain growth approach for enhancing light absorption and photogenerated carrier collection efficiency should elucidate underlying mechanism of and provide solutions to the problem which has baffled researchers in above areas for several years. The intended resulting simple, cost-effective solar-driven electricity and hydrogen devices should make significant contributions to goals of commercially viable storage of solar energy and solutions to global energy and environment issues.Read moreRead less
Development and Application of VO2-based Advanced Nanomaterials for Smart Window Coatings. This project aims to develop innovative strategies for the synthesis and thin film coating of vanadium dioxide nanoparticles, and understand the fundamentals through a comprehensive experimental and theoretical program. The findings aim to then be directly used in developing smart windows that have many applications in various industries. The project aims to significantly expand the knowledge creativity an ....Development and Application of VO2-based Advanced Nanomaterials for Smart Window Coatings. This project aims to develop innovative strategies for the synthesis and thin film coating of vanadium dioxide nanoparticles, and understand the fundamentals through a comprehensive experimental and theoretical program. The findings aim to then be directly used in developing smart windows that have many applications in various industries. The project aims to significantly expand the knowledge creativity and research capability of Australia, and add value to its rich resource of vanadium oxides in advanced material manufacturing.Read moreRead less