Center for Functional Nanomaterials Seminar

Over 80 % of both domestic and international energy demand is met using fossil energy resources. Predictions from the EIA and IEA indicate the use of fossil resources will not change dramatically over the next 30 years. In this regard, there are many opportunities where nanocatalysts can make fossil-based power generation technologies cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient. The reactivity of Fe-based nanoparticles as model water gas shift and Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, two critical reactions for electricity generation and liquid fuel production, will be discussed. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning-tunneling microscopy studies have indicated the edges of these nanoparticles and interactions with the growth substrate play a significant role in the observed catalytic reactivity. The use of heterostructures of semiconductor quantum dots and TiO2 for converting CO2 into revenue generating chemicals such as CH4 and CH3OH has also been evaluated. These heterostructures show an enhanced reactivity for CO2 conversion with photoactivity being demonstrated from the ultraviolet to the orange-red edge of the solar spectrum. The electrocatalytic activity of Cu-oxide and Au25 nanoparticles has also been investigated for CO2 management applications. In these systems, capping ligands have been shown to have a significant role in stabilizing the active sites need for CO2 conversion.