The potential of the acoustic cavitation phenomenon for formation of semiconductor heterojunctions in nanodispersions from initial single semiconducto
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
This PhD program aspires to bring together recent achievements in the fields of
nanotechnology, sonochemistry and nanostructured semiconductor synthesis to develop
leading edge technologies for light-driven hydrogen production. We propose to explore the
potential of the acoustic cavitation phenomenon for formation of semiconductor
heterojunctions in nanodispersions from initial single semiconductor nanoparticles. The rapid collapse (10-8 s) of the cavitation microbubble results in the conversion of the surface energy, kinetic energy of liquid motion into heat and chemical energy leading to the development of high temperatures (>3000 C) and pressures (>500 atm) locally inside these microbubbles. Due to the high speed of cavitation, the initial semiconductor nanoparticles are ordered at the cavitation interfaces as ultra-highly compressed layer subjected to the rapid high-temperature heating with subsequent cooling. The proposal will lead directly to new materials and, more critically, provide a new widely applicable facile method of the synthesis photoactive semiconductor heterojunctions.
During the work on the project, the candidate will acquire knowledge in sonochemical
synthesis, chemistry and physics of complex semiconductor nanomaterials and core-shell
structures. Additional training will be provided in transient laser spectroscopy and
photochemistry. The studentship will also establish the multidisciplinary collaboration with
Prof. Timothy Mason, Head of European Sonochemical Society, director of Sonochemistry
Centre, Coventry University. The knowledge and skills developed will provide the candidate with a solid foundation for his/her future academic or industrial career in materials and renewable energy.
nanotechnology, sonochemistry and nanostructured semiconductor synthesis to develop
leading edge technologies for light-driven hydrogen production. We propose to explore the
potential of the acoustic cavitation phenomenon for formation of semiconductor
heterojunctions in nanodispersions from initial single semiconductor nanoparticles. The rapid collapse (10-8 s) of the cavitation microbubble results in the conversion of the surface energy, kinetic energy of liquid motion into heat and chemical energy leading to the development of high temperatures (>3000 C) and pressures (>500 atm) locally inside these microbubbles. Due to the high speed of cavitation, the initial semiconductor nanoparticles are ordered at the cavitation interfaces as ultra-highly compressed layer subjected to the rapid high-temperature heating with subsequent cooling. The proposal will lead directly to new materials and, more critically, provide a new widely applicable facile method of the synthesis photoactive semiconductor heterojunctions.
During the work on the project, the candidate will acquire knowledge in sonochemical
synthesis, chemistry and physics of complex semiconductor nanomaterials and core-shell
structures. Additional training will be provided in transient laser spectroscopy and
photochemistry. The studentship will also establish the multidisciplinary collaboration with
Prof. Timothy Mason, Head of European Sonochemical Society, director of Sonochemistry
Centre, Coventry University. The knowledge and skills developed will provide the candidate with a solid foundation for his/her future academic or industrial career in materials and renewable energy.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509693/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1795639 | Studentship | EP/N509693/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2020 | Daniel Cheung |
| Description | Travel Grants for PhD Students and Early Career Scientists (non-competitive grants) - To fund travel expenses during attendance at the RSC Artificial Photosynthesis Faraday Discussion conference |
| Amount | £120 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Royal Society of Chemistry |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | 39th Christmas Meeting of the RSC Solid State Chemistry Group, University of Liverpool - Poster Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A conference attended by researchers from the solid state materials chemistry community. A poster was presented presenting background, methods and results collected during the research project. There were numerous exchanges of ideas and discussions about the research in the presentation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Oral presentation at RSC Dalton Younger Members Event (DYME) Conference hosted at the University of Bath |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | An oral presentation was delivered at the RSC Dalton Younger Members Event conference (7-8th September), outlining research conducted during the first year of the PhD. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.rsc.org/events/detail/25544/dalton-younger-members-event-dyme |
| Description | Oral presentation at the Annual RSC Symposium 2018: Nanotechnology for Energy and Environment, hosted at the Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Oral presentation was delivered to an audience of PhD students and academics outlining the research outcomes from the first two years of PhD project. The conference theme was focused on Nanotechnology for Energy and Environment and was organised by the Chemical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rsc-symposium-2018-nanotechnology-for-energy-and-environment-tickets-... |
| Description | Poster presentation at "Advanced Nanomaterials for Energy Applications" workshop in collaboration with Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'An, China |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A workshop held in the SIRE in collaboration with a delegation from Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), Xi'An, China, on 19th and 20th of April 2018. The aim was to establish strong collaboration between our groups and School of Materials Science and Engineering, NPU. A range of talks were delivered by the delegates from NPU and SIRE academics. A poster was presented to delegates outlining research conducted during the PhD project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Poster presentation at Leverhulme Research Centre for Functional Materials Design Materials Discovery Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Poster presentation at the 2-day symposium. The symposium brought together experts across different scientific disciplines united by the common goal of accelerating materials discovery to discuss important themes such as grand challenges, the integration of computation and experiment, algorithms, and high throughput methods. Members of the audience showed interest in the poster and asked questions in order to gain a better understanding of the research I was conducting. An academic showed particular interest in my project and suggested a future collaboration could be possible because they were considering using a similar technique that I was using. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | RSC Faraday Discussion: Artificial Photosynthesis Conference, University of Cambridge - Poster presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | An international conference on the topic of artificial photosynthesis that attracted 100s of academics and postgraduate students from around the world. The event allowed the exchange of views and newly acquired results in the following key themes: -Biological approaches to artificial photosynthesis -Synthetic approaches to artificial photosynthesis -Demonstrator devices to artificial photosynthesis -Beyond artificial photosynthesis. A poster was presented to delegates detailing background, methods and current results obtained during the research project. The presentation attracted significant interest from the audience and there were several exchange of ideas and discussions with delegates from different research areas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.rsc.org/events/detail/28423/artificial-photosynthesis-faraday-discussion |
| Description | Science outreach event at Alder Hay Children's Hospital |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A two day science outreach event was delivered at Alder Hay Children's Hospital, Liverpool. A display was set-up demonstrating solar power and the research being conducted in Stephenson Institute including hands-on activities for the children to participate in. The main aim was to communicate the science behind solar power in order to inspire children and to promote the research being conducted in our research group and the Stephenson Institute. There was significant interest shown during the event with many children asking questions about the science involved with the activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |