Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage in Fuel Cells and Batteries – Shuihui Sun, INRS

Dr. Shuhui Sun, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, Varennes, Quebec, CANADA

PEM fuel cells are expected to play dominant role in future clean energy solutions for various applications. Developing highly efficient low-Pt and Pt-free catalysts are the key solutions for the wide-spread commercialization of PEMFCs. We recently developed various novel Fe-based catalysts which exhibited higher activity in alkaline media and equivalent activity in acidic electrolyte compared to commercial Pt. [1] Moreover, we systematically studied the decay mechanism of the MOF-based Fe/N/C catalyst, which is of significant important to improve the durability of Fe/N/C catalysts [2, 3]. On the other hand, through green chemistry and/or ALD techniques, we fabricated various novel Pt nanostructures, including nanowires, nanotubes, and single atoms. Compared to the conventional Pt nanoparticle/C commercial catalyst, these novel Pt nanostructures exhibited much enhanced activity (up to 10 times) and stability (up to 6 times) for fuel cells [4-10].

Both lithium-ion (LIB) and sodium-ion batteries (SIB) are promising technologies for energy storage. We developed a facile, inexpensive and scalable wet-chemical strategy to fabricate the Fe₃O₄/graphene composites and porous carbon spheres. The nanocomposite shows dramatically enhanced electrochemical properties including excellent reversible capacity, cyclability and rate performance in LIBs and SIBs [10,11].

 References:

1. Li, et al., Advanced Functional Materials, 27, 1604356 (2017).


2. Zhang, G, et al., Nano Energy, 29, 111–125 (2016).


3. Zhang, Q et al., Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 206, 115 (2017)


4. Sun, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 50, 422 (2011). (VIP+ Cover).


5. Sun, et al., Adv. Mater., 20, 571(2008).


6. Sun, et al., Adv. Mater., 20, 3900 (2008).


7. Sun, et al., Chem. Mater., 19, 6376 (2008).


8. Sun, et al., Chem. Commun., 45, 7048 (2009).


9. Sun, et al., Chemistry-A European Journal, 16, 829 (2010). (Inside Cover).


10. Zhang, et al., Scientific Reports, 3: 526 | (2013).


11. Fu, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 3, 13807 (2015).


12. Fu, et al., RSC Advance. 6, 84149 (2016).

Bio:

Prof. Shuhui Sun is currently working at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), center for Energy, Materials, and Telecommunications, Canada. His research interests focus on the development of multi-functional nanomaterials (graphene, CNTs, MOF, metal and metal oxides) for Energy and Environmental applications, including PEM fuel cells, Li-ion and Na-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and Wastewater treatment. He has published 4 book chapters and over 70 peer reviewed articles in journals including Adv. Mater., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Adv. Energy Mater., Adv. Funct. Mater., Nano Energy, with over 4,000 citations (H-index = 31). He is listed as an inventor on 2 US patents (granted). He is the recipient of various awards, such as Canada Governor General's Gold Medal Award (2012), ISE travel award (2010), Alexander Graham Bell Canada NSERC fellowship (2009). He is a member of Global Young Academy (GYA), ISE, ECS, CSC, CQMF, Plasma Quebec, and UNESCO Chair for Materials and Technology for Energy Conversion, Saving and Storage (MATECSS). Dr. Sun also serves as the editor of Nano Advances, and the editorial board member for 6 journals.

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Cette conférence est présentée par le RQMP Versant Nord du Département de physique de l'Université de Montréal et le Département de génie physique de Polytechnique Montréal.