Multifunctional Nanostructures for Energy Conversion
To make solar and other types of energy conversion a reality requires a true shift in perspective in materials science. We must move from obtaining a single material with optimal properties to precisely assembled, multicomponent materials composed of designed functional materials. These materials must be integrated from individual molecules through microscopic scales to macroscopic devices.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has extensive resources, including their optical light-emitting diode laboratory, for innovation in charge separation and transport.
So, the Transformational Materials Science Initiative's researchers will address the following research priorities:
(1) Elucidate the principles for tunable synthesis/assembly of functional one-dimensional monolithic and composite nanostructures. Elucidate the principles of attaching multifunctional molecular catalysts to the nanostructures.
(2) Understand the fundamental physical phenomena relevant to charge exchange and transport on the nanoscale
The challenge is to understand charge exchange between oxide nanostructures, molecular catalysts, and ambient gases to facilitate the elementary chemical reactions at the catalytic site. Equally important is the efficient transport of electrons and protons on the nanometer scale, which enables the coupling of two half reactions required for energy conversion processes.
(3) Achieve cooperative phenomena in integrated complex structures on the macroscopic scale.
At this time, we may not foresee what cooperative phenomena will be present in an enabling device; however, previous experience has taught us that simultaneous exchange and transport of both charges (electrons and ions) and mass (gases) represent one of the greatest challenges in materials science. This is particularly true when they take place on the nanometer scale because of the invalidity of many conventional physical principles.