New Composite Catalysts Based on Nitrogen-Doped Graphene and Nanoparticles for Advanced Electrocatalysis
Abstract
This project aims to develop a new electrocatalyst system that contains nanoparticles (NPs) and nitrogen-doped graphene (NG). The NG will be prepared via high temperature decomposition chemistry and should be dispersed in a solvent, forming a stable NG dispersion. In parallel, the NPs with narrow size, shape and composition distributions will be synthesized by an organic phase reaction. By mixing the dispersions of both NG and NPs, a new composite catalyst containing a monolayer assembly of NPs on NG will be produced. Furthermore, the NPs will be assembled into a monolayer array on an electrode surface and the NG will then be deposited flat on the NP array. Once treated at a proper temperature, the NG-NPs will be in intimate contact, realizing a possible strong NG-NP interaction. Each of these two new NG-NP composite designs provides an ideal platform for studying NP electrocatalysis. Specifically, the project will use Pt-based NPs as model catalysts to study NG-NP interaction on catalytic electrochemical reduction reactions, and will extend the study to Au-, Fe- and Co-based NPs. The goal is to prepare Fe- or Co-based composite catalysts with their catalysis comparable with or surpassing the noble metal one for electrochemical reduction of oxygen, proton, and carbon dioxide. The proposed research intends to answer some important questions on 1) how NPs can be assembled on the NG surface and 2) if NP interaction with NG can be used to tune and optimize NP catalysis for electrochemical reduction reactions. Compared to what have been published on using nitrogen-doped carbon supports to modify NP catalysis, the current approach is an important step forward in realizing an atomic level control of NP interaction with a two-dimensional support to enhance NP electrocatalysis. This project is in line with ArmyÕs interest in supporting fundamental electrochemical studies to understand and control electrochemical redox reactions at NP catalyst and NG interaface to optimize NP electrocatalysis on the surface of an electrode. The work should contribute to an important part of the Army s missions in building economical, light-weight and efficient fuel cells, batteries and in electrochemical production of energy fuels for power and energy applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1510147
Entities
People
- Shouheng Sun
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Brown University
- United States Army