Ian Wark Research Institute
ARC Special Research Centre
ARC Special Research Centre
Research Area: Polymer science, nanomaterials and
electrocatalysis
Supervisors: Prof Namita Roy Choudhury,
A/Prof Naba Dutta, Dr A Hill
(CSIRO Manufacturing and Technology) and Prof S Holdcroft (Simon Fraser
University, Canada)
Aims: The overall aim of the project is to develop a family of
harmonized, catalytically active heterostructure from noble metal
nanoparticle-loaded carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a combination of
electrospinning and block copolymer self assembly (SA) approach.
Description: The synthesis of nanoparticles with controlled
shape, size and structure has been one of the major focuses of recent
research in nanotechnology [1-5]. Recently, highly attractive bottom-up
fabrication schemes for synthesizing nanoparticles by template method
using natural (such as DNA, bacterial surface layer proteins, ferritin,
viruses, etc.) or artificial nano-architectures have been reported [5].
Amongst many templates, the meso-phase separated block copolymers [BCP]
offer distinctive advantages over other materials [5]. The potential
advantage of using phase separated BCP to create controlled growth of
desired nanoparticles derives from the diversity of their architectural
possibilities, ease of handling, low cost, and unique tunability of the
organization, size, shape, periodicity, and binding of nanoparticles to
the self assembled nano-domains [5-8]. However, in most applications to
achieve the novel and unique properties that are not found in the
individual particles/components, precise organization of the
nanoparticles into well-defined assemblies/patterns is essential
[1,5-9]. Among the noble group metals, platinum is best known for its
catalytic activity in various chemical and electrochemical reactions
including energy conversion devices such as fuel cells (eg. PEMFC, DMFC).
The current platinum (Pt), Pt-alloy based catalytic systems used in
PEMFC electrodes are plagued with problems such as carbon monoxide (CO)
poisoning, sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics, "Pt
hiding", degradation of activity over electrochemical cycling, and
cost. This has prompted intense research on developing high performance
catalytic system with high dispersion of the catalytic particles and
improved transport phenomena and stability.
The major focus of this research is to develop nanoscale heterostructure
involving platinum (Pt) and Pt-alloy nanoparticles as electrocatalyst,
and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as support and molecular wiring
material. Both carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and (Pt) and Pt-alloy
nanoparticles exhibit many advantageous properties and their potential
applications are wide and varied. The hybrid self-assembled structures
involving them present versatile molecular constructs with an array of
unique electronic and surface properties, which have significant
potential impact on emerging fields such as energy supply, storage and
production (fuel cells, batteries, solar cells), information technology
(nano-optics, electronics), sensors and biomedical applications [1-4].
In this project we will strategically design and synthesise novel proton
conducting functional block copolymers and precisely tune their
self-organization process under different controlled environment to use
them as nanoreactor. A fundamental understanding will be developed
between the structure and function of such novel heterostructure, and
finally the work will demonstrate the outstanding catalytic utilization
and effectiveness of the developed catalyst in PEMFC. In depth
understanding of the interdependence of the catalytic properties on the
type of the nanoparticles, its size, size distribution, morphology and
its interaction with the support and stabilizing ionomer will be
developed. The high surface area and the 3D network like structure of
the heterostructure will enhance the catalytic performance at decreased
level of metal concentration. The research has the potential to pioneer
the development of novel catalyst support for the energy conversion
devices.
References
1. S. Mayavan, N. Roy Choudhury and N.K. Dutta, Advanced Materials, 20,
2008.
2. N.K. Dutta, S. Mayavan, N. Roy Choudhury, NSTI, Nanotech-2008, Hynes
Convention Centre, Boston, June 1-5.
3. Z.Chen, M. Waje, W. Li, Y. Yan Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., , 46 (2007)
4060.
4. T. Maiyalagan, B. Viswanathan , U.V. Varadaraju, Electrochemistry
Communications 7(2005) 905.
5. N.K.Dutta and N. Roy Choudhury, Self-assembly and supramolecular
assembly in nanophase separated polymers and thin films, in Functional
Nanostructures:Processing, Characterization and Applications, ed. S.
Seal, p220-304, Springer, 2008.
6. R. E.Cohen Curr. Opin. Solid State Mater. Sci., 4(6)(2000) 587.
7. J. I Abes, R. E Cohen,.C. A. Ross, Chem. Mater., 15(5)(2003) 1125.
8. T.Ishida, and M.Haruta, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 46(2007) 7154.
9. T. J. McDonald, D. Svedruzic,Y-H. Kim, J. L. Blackburn, S.B. Zhang,
P.W. King, M. J. Heben, Nanoletters, 7(2007) 3528.
Collaboration: This is a collaborative project and the research
methodology will primarily cover investigations carried out at The Wark
and CSIRO, Victoria and Simon Fraser University, Canada).
Funding: A grant application to the Australian Research Council
is currently being assessed. If successful, this grant will support two
Wark fully funded scholarship. International students should also apply
for an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) and a
UniSA President's Scholarship (UPS). Australian students should also
apply for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and a UniSA Australian
Postgraduate Research Award (USAPRA). Project maintenance costs will be
met from internal funding.
