2018 Slatt Scholars
Corey Atwell
Gradient to Mixed Halide Perovskite Architecture for Perovskite Solar Cells
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Prashant Kamat
Over the past few years, perovskite solar cells have achieved a high level of interest due to their high efficiencies. These high efficiencies are due, in part, to the compositional tuning of perovskite band gaps through the entire visible spectrum. While these efficiencies are high (22.7%), they can still be improved through solar concentrators or through the tandem cell architecture. Tandem devices, where light is preferentially absorbed through different layers to minimize energy loss, can be created using gradient perovskite structure. These gradient structures would allow for a higher conversion efficiency since the high band gap region would absorb the high energy light while the low energy light is passed through to be absorbed by the low band gap region of the device. However, gradient structures are unstable in application, and the halide ions move around in the film and homogenize. The first objective of this research is to identify the halide ion mobility in gradient structures and probe the homogenization. We're going to do this by creating bulk perovskite films with a gradient structure and watching how the anions move through the film under both heat and irradiation. The second objective is to prevent homogenization. One way to stop anion migration is to passivate the surface of CsPbBr3 NCs with lead sulfate clusters. Lead sulfate clusters have previously been shown to create nanoassemblies of perovskite nanocrystals that have a surrounding layer of lead sulfate which prevents surface interactions between perovskite NCs. Since surface interactions are what allows for anion exchange to happen in the first place, this procedure could potentially inhibit this anion migration. The findings from this project will help create more stable cells with a gradient structure so that light harvesting can be optimized and more efficient devices can be made. The final goal of this research is to fabricate a solar cell device that has a stable gradient structure based of the findings of the project.
Tyler Bear
Synthesis and Characterization of Iptycene-based Polyimides with Tunable Chain Rigidity for Gas Separation Membranes
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Ruilan Guo
Gas separation is vital in industrial processes such as extracting pure methane from natural gas or selectively obtaining nitrogen and oxygen from air.(1) However, current methods have shown to be highly energy intensive. Major industrial production cycles carry out inefficient thermally driven separation processes and typically consume as much as 40−50% of the total energy required.(2) Instead of using thermal energy, polymer membranes are currently the most energetically efficient method of separating these gases based on the material’s intrinsic properties. Polymer materials possess good mechanical and chemical properties as well as excellent processability as compared to inorganic materials.(3) In addition, membrane separation is preferred over conventional methods due to its simplicity, high efficiency, and low capital investment. Despite the advantages of polymer membranes, they face an inherent, grand challenge of the trade-off between permeability and selectivity characterized by empirical upper bounds. Normally, high permeabilities are crucial for efficient gas separation, resulting from large voids (called fractional free volume) generated by inefficiently packed polymer chains. However, with increasing fractional free volume (i.e., higher permeability), the molecular sieving capabilities or selecitivities would generally decrease in current glassy polymers due to the broad free volume size distribution. Therefore, in order to overcome this tradeoff limitation, development of polymers with both high fractional free volume and well-controlled free volume size distribution is critical.(4,5) To accomplish this task, this research focuses on synthesizing iptycene-based polyimides involving both triptycene and pentiptycene as the building blocks. Triptycene is the simplest iptycene and consists of three benzene blades in a paddlewheel configuration making it a three-dimensional, rigid moiety. The shape and overall bulky nature of triptycene is beneficial because it is effective in disrupting the chain packing when incorporated in the polymer backbone, which can increase the fractional free volume as well as the permeability. Therefore, the overall increase of fractional free volume results in higher sieving capabilities while preserving the high permeability. Previously, research among triptycene-based polyimides has been conducted by our group and yielded decent gas separation results. However, the polymer structures still contain flexible ether linkage and the gas separation performance is expected to be further improved by tailoring the backbone rigidity. Thus, the study will be expanded to preparation and characterization of new iptycene-based homopolyimide membranes with improved chain rigidity by directly linking iptycene units to imide rings. The removal of the ether linkages coupled with replacing the triptycene units with more rigid, bulkier pentiptycene units will result in a highly rigid backbone that is critical for high permeability-selectivity combinations as well as resistance to physical aging and plasticization. Currently, triptycene-diamine monomers without ether bonds has been synthesized using optimized procedures and has yielded high purities. By polymerizing with a commercially available dianhydride, the diamine monomer shows high reactivity that can easily obtain high molecular weight for strong membrane fabrication. Thus, triptycene-based dianhydride and pentiptycene-based dianhydide will be synthesized and used to prepare highly rigid polyimides.(4,5) The physical and thermal properties as well as the gas separation properties of the synthesized polymers will be tested to establish fundamental structure-property relationships for these new polymer molecular sieves. (1) “Efficient Gas Separation.” Cardiff University, 21 Jan. 2013. (2) Bernardo, P., et al. “Membrane Gas Separation: A Review/State of the Art.” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., vol. 48, no. 10, 22 Apr. 2009, pp. 4638–4663. (3) Alqaheem, Yousef, et al. “Polymeric Gas-Separation Membranes for Petroleum Refining.” International Journal of Polymer Science, vol. 2017, 19 Feb. 2017, pp. 1–19. (4) Wiegand, Jennifer R., et al. “Synthesis and Characterization of Triptycene-Based Polyimides with Tunable High Fractional Free Volume for Gas Separation Membranes.” J. Mater. Chem. A, vol. 2, no. 33, 2014, pp. 13309–13320. (5) Weidman, Jennifer R., et al. “Triptycene-Based Copolyimides with Tailored Backbone Rigidity for Enhanced Gas Transport.” Polymer, vol. 126, 2017, pp. 314–323.
Colin Brankin
Alternative Batteries: Magnesium Electrodeposition from Polymer Films
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Schaefer
The ever-advancing landscape of modern electronics has led to an increasing need for suitable energy storage devices that can support the demands of the technologically-based society in which we live. Rechargeable batteries composed of high energy density materials are dearly sought after; while most research in this area focuses on lithium ion systems, a promising alternative is using magnesium as the anodic material because of its advantageous thermodynamic properties. My project focuses on these rechargeable magnesium batteries, specifically in trying to develop a system capable of long-term stability, significant current densities, and a high level of cycling efficiency. Incorporated in the battery construction are three key elements: the polymer film that separates the cathode from the anode which serves to prevent the passivation of the magnesium anode and short-circuiting of the cell, the liquid electrolyte in which the polymer film is swelled in before being inserted into the coin cell, and the cathode that interacts with the anode to induce a current. The research that I am conducting investigates the various parameters involved in the polymer films and the electrolytic solutions – composition, concentration/molecular weight, and different combinations of the polymers with the electrolytes – in order to optimize stability, current density, and cycling efficiency. My main objective is to identify the critical factors necessary to achieving the aforementioned goals as well as provide the most auspicious systems and the mechanistic reasoning as to why they work above the other combinations. More specifically, my research is unique in that the polymer separator, which is usually inert in most other magnesium battery research, has both ionic functionality in addition to the standard neutral, polar functionality. The neutral, polar characteristics allow the polymer to reject polysulphides, thereby increasing the functionality of the sulfur cathodes, while the ionic characteristics allow the polymer to function as a magnesium cation reservoir. Leveraging these functionalities to improve the reversibility at the magnesium anode requires a deeper understanding of the polymer-electrolyte interactions and how that influences ionic speciation and ion transport. In doing so, it is my hope that this work can be a significant contribution towards demonstrating the feasibility of magnesium batteries.
David Brown
Designing Energy Efficient Diafiltration Units around Self-Assembled Copolymer Membranes that Separate Molecules of Comparable Size
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Faculty Advisor: William Phillip
The overall objective of this project can be described as a system-level optimization of diafiltration units with the capacity to separate molecules of similar size. Developments in membrane technology demonstrate the potential for membrane separations to improve on and replace some traditional separation processes. This potential is manifest in the evolution of reverse osmosis desalination, which now requires half the energy as an equivalent thermal desalination process. The separation of similar-sized molecules carries further significance, with the opportunity to replace current separation methods for rare earth elements and pharmaceuticals. Rare earth elements, widely used in electronic devices, require harsh chemical treatments that could be replaced by more environmentally and energetically responsible membrane separations. Furthermore, advancements in membrane separations provide alternate extraction methods for pharmaceuticals, increasing efficiency and decreasing the cost of live-saving drugs.
Gabriel Brown
Understanding Plasma Catalyst Synergy via Ammonia Production
Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: David Go
Both plasma and catalysts are critical components for thousands of industrial processes, and individually, the science behind each is well documented. However, as of now, the way in which plasmas and catalysts interact is not well understood and has not been closely studied. Thus, the study of this plasma catalyst coupling not only serves to generate a positive synergistic effect between the two mediums, but more importantly, serves to fill an existing knowledge gap in science today. At Notre Dame, the Small Scale Transport Lab, led by Dr. David Go, is using ammonia synthesis as a model system for studying the coupling effect in order to better understand how the plasma properties vary with changing experiment parameters. The current parameter of interest is temperature, because although the production/conversion effectiveness of ammonia decreases as temperature increases, it has been shown that the introduction of a plasma can overcome this reactionary hurdle. The mechanism of this is still unclear, and therefore, my objective for this project will entail understanding how increasing the reaction temperature affects the properties of the plasma, and furthermore, what parameters most positively affect the plasma catalyst coupling.
Janaya Brown
Novel Ugandan Wind Turbine Blades: Science and Technique
Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Abigail Mechtenberg
The goal of this project is to provide clarifying information about novel Ugandan wind turbine blades. More specifically, this project intends to answer the questions that typically arise when discussing the hand-weaved wind turbine blades currently in use in Uganda by discussing the science and technique involved the blade’s design. These blades are the result of the joint collaboration of Notre Dame’s ESDD research team and its partner researchers and collaborators in Uganda. The primary question that arises when discussing handweaved wind turbine blades is the feasibility of their implementation. This is a non-question for this project due to the fact that the blades are already in use, powering a school in Uganda. Instead, this project will provide technical information regarding the blades mechanical characteristics. This entails testing the blades for various failure characteristics; investigating the patentability of the weaving technique; and evaluating the economic, environmental, and social impacts the blades yield.
Anthony Deziel
Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Platinum Carbene Complexes
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Vlad Illuc
Small molecule activation has been on the forefront of organometallic catalysis. The ability to break, or activate, the bonds of small molecules may provide access to abundant, common, and cheap energy sources. These small molecules are both abundant and contain strong bonds, storing a vast amount of energy. Metal carbene complexes have shown very interesting reactivity, especially towards small molecules. Previous studies conducted by our group involved palladium carbenes, which provided a basis for my research project with platinum carbenes. My research project began in February of 2017, consisting of synthesizing new platinum carbene complexes and probing the reactivity of them. Particularly, the novel platinum carbene complex I have synthesized has shown the ability to activate small molecules, including H2O. I have already synthesized and partially characterized this complex and its precursors. However, further characterization is necessary to be able to fully understand how the properties of the complex may be incorporated into a catalysis scheme. This complex can also be radicalized with I2, opening up a whole new compound to study. I intend to probe the reactivity of the carbene complex and its related radical species with several more small molecules, testing for reversibility of reactions that would allow for a catalyst cycle. I will also finish the necessary characterization.
James Drysdale
Photovoltaic Application of Perovskite Nanomaterials for Commercial Cell Phone Use
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Prashant Kamat
My research project will design a thin film perovskite solar cell that can be placed on a cell phone screen to be used as a charging device. Previous literature has reported reverse architecture perovskite solar cells made with a polymer support. The polymer support allows for flexibility of the solar cell. By creating this type of device, it could then be placed in the form of a cell phone screen where the light from the phone screen would illuminate and drive the current through the solar cell. This experiment will determine if a thin film perovskite solar cell can be placed on a cell phone screen and used as a commercially viable charging device. This project will begin by creating a reverse architecture perovskite solar cell with a polymer support. Next, I will determine if the light from the cell phone screen is sufficient to power the solar cell put on it. Finally, I will determine the efficiency of this solar cell by analyzing experimental JV curves, open circuit voltage, short circuit current, and fill factor. The project’s major objective is to design a thin film perovskite solar cell that can be placed on a cell phone screen and powered by the light emitted by the cell phone screen. This perovskite solar cell could function as a secondary cell phone charging device.
Henri Edouard Francois
Restoring Energy Production Capacity to Rural Haiti: Energy Generation Systems and Micro Grid Optimization
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Abigail Mechtenberg
The research project for the summer of 2018 is an attempt at the reproduction of the E3 curriculum designed by Dr. Abigail Mechtenberg and her associates (and which was first implemented in Uganda) in a Haitian context. Beyond implementing the E3 curriculum, I will be looking at data from the current project in Uganda to algorithmically to determine, based on Hinche’s specific situation, an optimal all renewable energy mini grid. Specifically, international organizations designed and installed an all solar panel powered electricity system for the Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais which is completely failing their patients. Based on this description, the main objectives can be described as follows: first, to implement the E3 curriculum while taking into account the Haitian context to which it will need to be adjusted, and second, to develop an algorithm or a set of algorithms to determine the optimal configuration(s) for a renewable energy microgrid based on the area’s particular characteristics.
Joseph Gonzales
Development of Chemical Anti-Icing Coating for Use on Wind Turbines
Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Hirotaka Sakaue
Energy generation through the use of wind turbines is a rapidly growing industry, but is severely limited by the location of wind turbines. Due to their substantial size, they cannot be placed in urban areas or locations where they may impact the local fauna. However, there are plenty of prime locations for the placement of wind turbines in the upper northern hemisphere, such as Alaska, Northern Canada, and some of the Nordic countries. They have huge patches of ice with high winds which would be perfect for wind turbine placement. In addition, the air is substantially denser in colder climates. Assuming an average decrease in air temperature from 25oC to -15oC, the air in colder climates is denser by a factor of 1.16. Since the energy harvested from wind turbines is directly proportional to the kinetic energy, and thus the density of the air, colder climates would provide for increases of more than 15% in the efficiency of wind turbines. The reason more turbines have not been implemented in colder climates is due the problem of icing, where water droplets in the air can free onto the surface of wind turbines, greatly reducing their efficiency and lifetime. Many anti-icing technologies require the use of heaters, but this makes wind turbines too costly to be realistic in a glacial climate. Due to the various technical problems with mounting a heater on a wind turbine, a chemical coating that is easy to apply must be developed to tackle the issue of icing. The goal of my research project is to create a chemical coating which eliminates the need for heaters to solve the icing problem. This would theoretically be accomplished using a combination of hydrophobic materials and those materials which can absorb large amounts of solar radiation. This combination would allow for the melting of just the bottom layer of ice, causing the entire ice sheet to slough off. Ideally, this coating would require limited replacement, be environmentally friendly, and require no additional energy inputs but the sun.
Anna Kluender
Synthesis of Ionic Liquids Displaying Lower Critical Solution Temperature Behavior
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Brandon Ashfeld
Modern society is reliant on refrigeration systems, which run most efficiently utilizing an absorption cooling system (ACS). While useful for applications such as air conditioning or refrigeration, these systems require large amounts of electricity to operate, often with poor efficiency, and use fluids with practical complications. Many systems still use refrigerants with high global warming potentials (GWPs), such hydrofluorocarbons, that are damaging to the environment. The aim of this project is to improve the efficiency of these systems by moving away from the distillation separation process traditionally employed by ACSs and incorporating instead the separation of working fluids into two distinct, immiscible phases via mild sensible heating rather than latent heats. Although uncommon, specific N-heterocyclic-based ionic liquids (ILs) are known to exhibit this lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior in the presence of water. Unfortunately, known LCST ILs do not possess the performance properties required for an optimally-functioning ACS. This proposal describes the development of a synthetic strategy toward N-hetereocycle construction that will lead to the discovery of new thermo-responsive ILs with low GWPs as refrigerants to improve the efficiency of modern ACS technology. Recently, our group has developed a formal [4+1]-cycloaddition approach toward spirooxindoles, which we will employ in the assembly of N-heterocyclic compounds with the goal of discovering ionic liquids that exhibit LCST properties. This strategy will result in a plethora of diverse 5-membered rings by utilizing the formation of a quaternary center as the focal point of assembly, which constitutes a long-standing challenge in synthetic organic chemistry. This proposal is significance because this work has the potential to have a transformative impact on the way we approach cooling and air conditioning technology development. To underscore this importance, the International Energy Agency has predicted that the consumption of A/C energy will increase 4.5x by 2050. When combined with rising fuel costs, depletion of energy reserves, and the environmental impact of existing refrigerants, it is clear that modern cooling systems are not sustainable.
Eric Lee
Forecasting Wind Turbine Vulnerability to Dust Storms in Saudi Arabia
Department of Applied and Computational Math and Statistics
Faculty Advisor: Stefano Castruccio
In 2016, Saudi Arabia announced its first plan to diversify its energy portfolio. This plan, known as Vision 2030, pledges to generate 9.5 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2023. In a country synonymous with oil, this program provides a unique opportunity to change narratives surrounding fossil fuels and impact humanity’s carbon footprint. Wind power is expected to play a significant role in meeting this quota due to the country’s natural environmental potential. No substantial wind farms are currently active in the country, and installing new ones comes with challenges. Strong turbulent winds can be harnessed for wind power, but in Saudi Arabia these winds also generate dust storms. According to studies in nearby countries with a similar geography and climate, wind turbines can lose an average of 57% power generation over 9-month periods when subject to erosion on turbine blades from dust storms. The high frequency of dust storms in the region and their effect on the lifespan of turbines are therefore key factors that cannot be overlooked in the decision-making process of locating areas for wind farming. The project aims at characterizing the dependence of dust to wind across Saudi Arabia, and to predict dust storms in both time and space. My advisor Professor Stefano Castruccio is currently working on a large project with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia whose ultimate task will be identifying favorable locations for installing turbines throughout the country. This is an extensive venture as so many variables factor into determining such a location. My project will contribute to characterizing the role of dust and its associated expense in maintenance of wind turbines. I seek to identify areas where dust storms can be potentially detrimental to wind turbines over extended periods of time. I will also identify thresholds of wind where dust storms can become harmful and forecast their patterns. By contributing to the larger picture of Professor Castruccio’s project I can help wind turbines in Saudi Arabia have lower maintenance costs and longer life spans so that wind energy might become more viable.
Madison Mettey
Synthesis of Transition Metal Alumosiloxide Complexes as Models of Zeolite Active Sites for Energy Related Catalysis
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Emily Tsui
Combustion of fossil fuels is the prominent source of energy on the planet. Because fossil fuels are nonrenewable, it is important to develop sustainable ways to utilize them. Additionally, biofuels provide promising and not fully discovered energy applications. Catalytic conversion of both of these types of hydrocarbons is essential for the future of sustainable energy. Zeolite compounds have applications as heterogeneous catalysts and have been shown to be effective and efficient. Transition metal ion doped zeolites, like copper zeolites, are interesting for petroleum activation, as it has been shown that they have been able to oxidize methane to methanol using dioxygen with high selectivity at low temperatures. However, little is known about the mechanisms of these reactions. Only certain sites are reactive and the coordination structure of the transition metals is not entirely clear, as the active sites are difficult to study. Models will be able to replicate the active sites of these zeolite materials using synthetic molecular complexes to probe the Lewis and Bronsted acidity. The first aspect of the project is to synthesize alumosiloxide ligands with structures relevant to zeolite pores. These macrocyclic molecules will structurally and compositionally mimic the zeolite pores that transition metals can coordinate in. The second objective of the project is to metallate the alumosiloxide ligands with transition metals such as copper. Once metals are integrated into the framework, their reactivity can be studied with dioxygen and hydrocarbon substrates, which is fundamental for understanding better zeolite catalyst design.
Perfect Mfashijwenimana
Evaluating how the E3 Propagation Model can Intertwine with the Rwandan Energy Vision 2050
Department of Electrical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Abigail Mechtenberg
Rwanda’s vision 2050 is the projection of the Energy industry that the country needs to have. It encompasses improving access on energy and power reliability. My research is geared towards human centric design of Energy systems. The ultimate goal of the research is to make microgrids with multiple power sources ranging from wind power, hydro power, and concentrated solar power. This research will help to practically quantify the research done by Professor Abigail Mechtenberg discussing the use of human powered systems and how they can be used as back up systems to unreliable grids. My research project for the summer of 2018 would be an extensive dive into promoting local energy system designs. Starting from Fall semester 2017, I have been working with the ESDD research on different energy systems ranging from hand crank generators to analyzing magnets and coils to be implemented in the wind turbine. The objective is to evaluate how entrepreneurship in energy and power systems design can help in achieving the 2050 vision through collecting data on the role of social return on investment created by energy. As of now, very few people explore the opportunities that the energy sector has to offer. Our research will provide insights in how relatively cheap back up systems can be made and sold to local businesses.
Perfect Mfashijwenimana Final Report
Musodiq Ogunlowo
Empowering Nigerians to Power Nigeria: Designing Multiple Energy Source Input Charge Controller with Locally Built Systems
Department of Electrical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Abigail Mechtenberg
This research would focus on designing more energy generation systems that can be incorporated together to create a mini-grid accompanied with multiple-input charge controllers. The vast majority of charge controllers are designed and built for one energy sources and typically for solar panels and/or wind turbines. This research would build upon collaborations developed over winter break which involved designing of Human Power systems such as Gravity Lights and a Bicycle Generator. For this next step, research would start in Uganda to collect data on their multiple energy systems as well as travel to Rwanda and Nigeria to evaluate their new energy teams’ electricity generating devices. As I am currently working on several simulations utilizing HOMER Energy and LabView power system simulations, I plan on corroborating the data that would be obtained from simulation with actual data. The vital research objective involves understanding the level of uncertainty in small scale electricity generating devices and how it affects the ability of the charge controller to implement efficient maximum power point tracking control algorithms.The goal would be to create the foundation for a senior undergraduate thesis on the trajectory for Nigeria to implement Smart Grids.
Arsenii Panteleev
Investigation of Structure and Phase Behavior of a Novel Ionic Liquid Crystal
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Jonathan Whitmer
The research project is dedicated to investigate the structure and phase behavior of a newly synthesized ionic liquid crystal CnTfSI–Li+. We aim to perform simulations which, when compared to measurements involving X-ray diffraction, calorimetry and conductivity experiments performed by the Schaefer group, will be able to help to identify the structure of the material. The second major research objective of the project is to study the phase behavior by varying the temperature and calculating the free energy of the substance. This can be compared directly to calorimetry experiments, where transition from one phase to another exhibits absorption or release of energy, depending on the whether a heating or cooling process is performed. The energy profiles of these processes contain crucial information about the phase behavior. These are manifest in computations of the heat capacity. These two aims fit with an overall goal within the Whitmer group’s research to understand how organization of an electrolyte affects its conductivity.
Arsenii Panteleev Final Report
Morgan Seidler
Crosslinked Ionomer Films for Use in High-performance Lithium Ion Batteries
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Schaefer
The demand for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries has grown with improving technology in electric vehicles and the need for storage of energy generated from renewable energy sources. Current lithium-ion batteries suffer from safety hazards due to the flammable nature of the liquid organic electrolytes used. Solid polymer electrolytes present a promising solution to this problem because they are not flammable, possess a wide electrochemical stability, and demonstrate high thermal stability. My research activities focus on crosslinked solid polymer electrolytes, which, in addition to the above benefits, also resist lithium dendrite formation due to the covalently bonded anions in the polymer matrix. The highest ionic conductivity of these electrolytes at 25°C is 10-7 S/cm whereas 10-5 S/cm is regarded as the necessary minimum conductivity to make these solid electrolytes a viable alternative to the liquid counterpart. The major objective of my research is to increase the ionic conductivity of the cross-linked solid polymer electrolytes by means of decreasing crystallinity and therefore increasing the amorphous behavior.
Ethan Sunshine
Iron-Carbide-Graphene Oxide Sheets: An Entirely New, Non-Precious Metal Catalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Fuel Cells
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Ian Lightcap
This project will attempt to make a highly stable and efficient catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction, specifically for use in fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells will play an ever-increasing role in transitioning the transportation sector toward a more sustainable fuel cycle. Even now, California drivers can purchase a Toyota Mirai powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Fuel cells such as these produce water as exhaust in place of the carbon dioxide produced from burning traditional petro-based fuels. The deployment of fuel cells on a large scale is dependent in no small part on the development of a stable and effective catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. Iron carbide has been shown as an excellent candidate, providing stability in acidic environments while also having high efficiency for the oxygen reduction reaction. The project will be comprised of two main goals: Synthesis of iron-carbide using reduced graphene oxide as both a carbon source and a conductive, high surface area substrate. Preliminary results from Dr. Lightcap’s lab has shown this is possible, and should enhance iron-carbide’s catalytic properties. Conduct electrochemical characterization of the material’s catalytic efficiency and stability for the oxygen reduction reaction . We will most likely also use transmission electron microscopy, powder X-Ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy for a more complete characterization of the material.