Near-Field Optical Microscopy for Research on Electrocatalysts for Army s Hydrocarbon Fuels
Abstract
The objective of this DURIP is to measure the near-field optical and photoelectrical responses of an electrocatalyst model system currently developed by the Electrochemistry branch of the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), in Adelphi, MD, which can be potentially implemented as a lightweight and effective energy harvester for supplying fuel to the frontline. Leite visited ARL in June 2017 and was invited by Dr. Cynthia Lundgren (Chief of the Branch) to initiate a collaboration with her group, based on the near-field optoelectronic characterization of electrocatalysts, boosting the Electrochemistry Branch effort on this topic. To date, the Army relies on various hydrocarbon fuels for its majority needs. Therefore, to reduce the logistic burden of supplying fuel to the frontline, it is critical to enhance the fuel conversion efficiency and harvest available energy from the ambient environment. Infrared (IR) radiation accounts for more than 50% of total solar energy. Thus, the ability to harvest the IR radiation through localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) to enhance the electrochemical reactions rate that drive energy conversion devices (such as fuel cells and fuel synthesizers) is of primary interest to the Army. To contribute towards ArmyÕs needs, LeiteÕs group will determine the precise contributions from light-mediated effects, including direct electron transfer. In turn, these discoveries will enable the development of high performing electrocatalysts, with engineered response in the IR. Through a combination of IR near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) and illuminated kelvin-probe force microscopy (KPFM) the PI will map the optoelectronic response of electrocatalysts of interest to the Army with unprecedented spatial resolution, <100 nm. Through IR NSOM the PIÕs group will elucidate the field enhancements dependence on different nanostructures shapes by locally mapping transmission/reflection. Using a novel method recently developed by LeiteÕs group, illuminated-KPFM, they will spatially resolve the chemical potential of the electrocatalytic reactions. This research is disruptive: elucidating the local response of the Au nanostructures and the plasmon-induced effects on electrocatalysis will enable the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms associated with charge transfer within this system. In turn, this discovery will allow the development of lightweight, compact energy harvester for supplying fuel to the Army frontline. Therefore, this research matches the goals, missions and programmatic priorities of ARO. This research builds upon LeiteÕs extensive expertise on materials for nanoscale materials for optoelectronics, plasmonics, scanning probe microscopy to image the functionality of materials for energy applications, and upon a collaboration with the Electrochemistry Branch at ARL. As UMD is <10 minutes away from ARL, one PhD student and one undergraduate student will work in close collaboration with Dr. Xiaoming Ren, from Electrochemistry Branch. This experience will train them to the workforce, and will most likely trigger their interested in working for DoD. Other departments at University of Maryland and the Naval Research Laboratory will also substantially benefit from this DURIP, as the PI is proposing a unique and novel experimental setup to measure light-matter interactions at the nanoscale, not available in the DC Metro Area. Finally, a significant impact of this project will be to improve U.S. competitiveness in NSOM imaging methods through spectroscopy, which is currently dominated by Europe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1810177
Entities
People
- Marina S Leite
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Maryland