The hydrothermal route to metal oxide nanotubes: synthesis and energy conversion application. A First Grant Proposal

Lead Research Organisation: University of Southampton
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering & the Environment

Abstract

The project is aimed at the discovery of new hydrothermal routes to the preparation of metal oxide nanotubes. The proposal also seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating these new materials into energy conversion and storage applications including hydrogen storage, solar cells and fuel cells. The methodology used to search for hydrothermal conditions will include an analysis of the solubility of metal oxides under hydrothermal conditions, followed by formulation and testing of novel conditions favourable to the formation of metal oxide nanotubes. The sorption of hydrogen into the pores of novel metal oxide nanotubes will be quantitatively studied. Improvements in solar cell and fuel cell technology are anticipated by utilisation of the unique properties of novel metal oxide nanotubes.

Publications

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Bavykin D (2011) Photocatalytic properties of rutile nanoparticles obtained via low temperature route from titanate nanotubes in Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry

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Bavykin D (2010) Metastable Nature of Titanate Nanotubes in an Alkaline Environment in Crystal Growth & Design

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Bavykin DV (2011) Control over the hierarchical structure of titanate nanotube agglomerates. in Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids

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Podoliak N (2012) Magnetite nanorod thermotropic liquid crystal colloids: synthesis, optics and theory. in Journal of colloid and interface science

 
Description We have improved our understanding of the mechanism of spontaneous formation of inorganic nanotubes. As a result, new nanotubular materials have been synthesized.
Exploitation Route New nanotubular materials could potentially be useful in wide range of applications.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Chemicals

Electronics

Energy

Environment

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

 
Description The ourcome of the research has allow us to to employ new computational chemistry tools for simulation of the process of nanotubes formation.
First Year Of Impact 2013
Sector Education