Novel 2D materials for Energy Applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
Two-dimensional nanomaterials have the potential to revolutionise electrochemical energy conversion and storage technology. For this to happen, industrially scalable methods for their incorporation into these applications must first be established. Layered materials are stacks of 2D sheets which together form a 3D crystal. It is only recently, starting with the isolation of graphene sheets from graphite, that the individual layers, or nanosheets themselves, have been isolated and studied, with many different types of nanosheets have been successfully isolated, This project will combine advances in 2D materials with electrocatalysis for fuel cells and structured electrodes for Li-ion batteries and capacitors.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Daniel Brett (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Gyen Angel (Student) |
| Description | A one-pot, scalable method has been developed to produce platinum nanoparticles on very high quality graphene for use in fuel cells to replace existing catalysts. It was found that the newly developed catalyst has been show to be many times more durable than existing commercial catalysts. The synthesis has been patented and a research paper is uhas been submitted for publication |
| Exploitation Route | Further research on the control of the synthesis process to better understand reaction mechanisms etc is still required, such that various properties of the catalyst may be controlled. Development of electrochemical understanding, including testing of catalyst beyond three-electrode cells (i.e. in a working fuel cell) is the subject of ongoing research. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Energy Transport |
| Title | NANOMATERIAL PREPARATION METHOD |
| Description | Described is a method of preparing transition metal nanoparticles on a graphene support, in which a tertiary graphite intercalation compound is provided with intercalated metal ions such that the tertiary graphite intercalation compound comprises a graphene sheet having a negative charge. The graphene sheet is contacted with a transition metal salt to cause reduction of the transition metal salt by the graphene sheet, and to form transition metal nanoparticles. Also described are products arising from the method, and uses of those products. |
| IP Reference | WO2019158569 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | The method is still the subject of academic research so has yet to be licensed. |