An Electrochemical Engineering Approach to the Templating of Nanostructured Layers
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering & the Environment
Abstract
The synthesis of nanostructured materials to date has typically involved production and characterisation of samples with small geometric area (a few square centimetres). This project is aimed at addressing the synthesis and engineering aspects involoved with increased scale production of nanostructured films.Appreciation of the effects of reaction environment on deposit quality will make possible the production of uniform nanostructured deposits on a scale that is of technological interest.Novel nanostructured coatings will be prepared using surfactant templating methods and correlations between reaction conditions and resultant deposit properties will be established. A fundamental investigation of the reaction environment with an electrochemical engineering approach (combining experimental work and simulations) will facilitate uniform current and potential distributions in a controlled flow reactor.The synthesis of such coatings, having geometric areas of circa 100 cm2, will enable their evaluation in a number of electrochemical applications. For example, the operational and performance characteristics in Li-ion battery, supercapacitor and H2-air fuel cell device environments will be established.
Publications
Bartlett P
(2013)
The deposition of mesoporous Ni/Co alloy using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as the surfactant in the lyotropic liquid crystalline phase bath
in Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry
Bartlett P N
(2012)
The oxidation of hydrogen peroxide on nanostructured rhodium microelectrodes
in Journal of the Electrochemical Society
Esterle TF
(2010)
Study of carbon monoxide oxidation on mesoporous platinum.
in Chemphyschem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry
Esterle TF
(2012)
Evidence for enhanced capacitance and restricted motion of an ionic liquid confined in 2 nm diameter Pt mesopores.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Esterle TF
(2011)
The effect of Bi adsorption on CO oxidation inside 1.8 nm Pt pores.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Low C
(2013)
The reduction of hydrogen peroxide at an Au-coated nanotubular TiO2 array
in Journal of Applied Electrochemistry
Low C
(2012)
A gold-coated titanium oxide nanotube array for the oxidation of borohydride ions
in Electrochemistry Communications
Low C
(2013)
Anodising of titanium in methanesulphonic acid to form titanium dioxide nanotube arrays
in Transactions of the IMF
Low C.T.J.
(2015)
Multifunctional nanostructured metallic coatings by electrodeposition
in Multifunctional Materials for Tribological Applications
Description | Experience gained during the research has contributed towards the realisation of new generation electrochemical cells for storage of electrical energy. Such cells are produced by 3-D printing. Catalytic high surface area metal deposits have been utilised as efficient, facile production of electrodes in water electrolysis cells. |
Exploitation Route | The research experience has enabled several key reviews on electrochemical materials synthesis and characterisation together with electrochemical engineering aspects of electrode and cell design, including modelling and design of redox flow cells for energy storage and low cost supercapacitors for fast charging applications. Experience gained tackling problems of mathematical modelling of miniature scale materials serves to improve mathematical multiphysics models of flow batteries needed in scale-up, miniaturisation and process integration. |
Sectors | Education Energy Environment |
Description | Improvements in our knowledge of mesoporous and nanostructured materials has enhanced teaching of an MSc course in Sustainable Energy Technologies at the University of Southampton. UK industry have befitted from professional advice on electrochemical energy conversion materials and devices. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Education,Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Cultural Economic |