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Electron-Ion Collider

Support Orgs | Dept. Codes

Understanding chemical systems to develop clean energy solutions

Improving energy security and reducing environmental impacts of energy use

Researchers in Brookhaven's Chemistry Division seek to understand and control chemical systems to develop clean energy solutions for national needs. Our work helps to develop chemical principles that underlie new energy conversion and storage technologies that improve energy security and reduce the environmental impacts of energy use. Key aspects of our research are inspired by the goal to enable a net-zero carbon economy to address climate change. Division researchers also participate in international collaborations in nuclear and particle physics to investigate fundamental properties of neutrinos and other weakly interacting particles. The research group pages describe our research thrusts, which also leverage leading facility capabilities at Brookhaven Lab such as National Synchrtron Light Source II, the Center for Functional Nanomaterials, and the division’s own Accelerator Center for Energy Research.

Leadership
Administrative

Alex Harris

Director Energy Science and Technology, Acting Chair of Chemistry Division

(631) 344-4301, alexh@bnl.gov

Linda Sallustio

Administrative Specialist

(631) 344-4303, lsallust@bnl.gov

Division Groups

Artificial Photosynthesis

Advances fundamental knowledge of chemical systems to convert sunlight to viable chemical fuels, inspired by natural photosynthesis, in which green plants convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbohydrates.

Catalysis: Reactivity and Structure

Pursues an improved understanding of chemical catalysis for advanced fuels synthesis and energy conversion processes by elucidating catalytically important properties of well-defined surfaces, powders and nanostructures.

Electrochemical Energy Storage

Conducts research on both fundamental and applied problems relating to electrochemical energy storage systems and materials including lithium-ion, lithium-air, lithium-sulfur, and sodium-ion rechargeable batteries; electrochemical super-capacitors; and cathode, anode, and electrolyte materials.

Electron- and Photo-Induced Processes

Applies both photoexcitation and ionization by short pulses of fast electrons to investigate fundamental chemical problems relevant to the production and efficient use of energy

Neutrino and Nuclear Chemistry

Participates in international collaborations including Low Energy Neutrino Spectroscopy (LENS), "SNO+", the Daya Bay neutrino experiment, and the long-baseline neutrino experiment (LBNE)

Surface Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis

Explores problems of electrocatalysis of fuel cell reactions focusing on platinum monolayer (PtML) electrocatalysts for the O₂ reduction reaction, the electrocatalysts for ethanol and methanol oxidation to CO₂, H₂ evolution and H₂ oxidation reactions.

Associated Groups

Catalysis for Alternative Fuels Production

Understanding and developing metal carbides and bimetallic alloys as catalysts and electrocatalysts through combined theoretical and experimental approaches over model surfaces and supported catalysts. Investigating structural and electronic properties of catalysts using in situ synchrotron techniques.

Nanostructured Interfaces for Catalysis

Develops model catalysts that can be used to identify and characterize the catalytically active sites of nanostructured surfaces and interfaces, and explores how changes in particle size, composition, morphology and chemical environment can be used to optimize catalytic performance.

Structure and Dynamics of Applied Nanomaterials

Studies mechanisms of work of advanced functional nanomaterials by elucidating the nature of their active species by situ/operando methods of spectroscopy, scattering and imaging.