Functional Nanomaterials

Functional Micro/Mesoporous Nanomaterials for Novel Energy Conversion and Storage Systems

Group leader: Enn Lust, Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu

X-ray absorption, neutron scattering (SANS, QENS), STM, AFM, FTIR, EQCM, Raman spectroscopy, FIB-SEM, FIB-TOF-SIMS and HT-TEM will be developed and applied for in situ and in operando analysis of electrochemical processes at solid|gas, solid|electrolyte and complex solid|solid oxide|gas interfaces.

Novel composite catalysts based on micro/meso-porous carbons (activated with Pt-metals, d-metals and alloys nanoclusters) with tunable porosity and linear dimensions, activated rare-earth metal composite oxides and Ni-free anodes with hierarchical structure and tunable ratio of micro/meso-pores will be synthesized and tested as materials for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolysers and synthetic fuel synthesis reactors.

Novel cathodes and anodes and novel ionic liquids and electrolyte mixtures will be tested for Li- and Na-ion batteries and hybrid supercapacitors.

The electrospinning – isostatic compressing method will be applied for preparation of the nanowire carbon and modified carbon electrodes for supercapacitors, Na- and Li-ion batteries. Direct electrochemical separator deposition method onto porous carbon electrodes using electro-polymerisable ionic liquids has been worked out for preparation of supercapacitor devices with very high voltage.

Theoretical models, calculation and fitting methods will be developed further for analysis of mixed kinetic processes at porous complex catalysts.