Project Details
Projekt
Making catalytically Active Nanoporous Thin fIlmS (MANTIS)
Subject Area
Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
Term
since 2024
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 545341124
The project aims at designing nanoporous thin films with application as catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). For making hydrogen a viable source of sustainable energy, developing cheaper and more efficient catalysts is of prime importance. Ruthenium (Ru) is emerging as the economically viable replacement for Platinum (Pt) and Iridium (Ir). Alloying of Ni to Ru catalysts has been reported to enhance catalytic activity. At least three factors influence the catalytic activity: surface-to-volume ratio, alloying, and local chemistry at microstructural defects. The chemical composition of the films will be tailored at the nanoscale to optimize the electrocatalytic performance. This will be carried out by a systematic investigation of the Ru-Ni system, including the influence of local composition, crystallographic orientation, and defect structure, especially grain boundaries using a multi-scale approach. At the core of our research is the hypothesis that alloying of the nanoporous structure, along with chemical enrichment at microstructural defects, can be used to optimize catalytic activity. We will use physical vapor deposition (PVD) as it allows for kinetically-limited growth of metastable phases with compositions of solid solutions not accessible through near-equilibrium material fabrication routes. Here, we will systematically tune the solute content in dealloyed ruthenium-based PVD-deposited solid solution thin films. Correlations will be established between the electrocatalytic activity and the microstructure evolution from dealloying, along with local chemical fluctuations at structural or microstructural defects. Atomistic calculations and thermodynamic considerations will rationalize these correlations. Our strategy will allow for understanding the influence of solute content and partitioning on the dealloying and activity, facilitating the design of catalytically active films.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
