Grant: Canada Research Chairs

The field of electroactive lateral and vertical two-dimensional 2D materials (2DMs) [e.g., graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides and MXenes] has grown exponentially. They have pristine interfaces free of dangling bonds, reducing interface trap states and scattering, and a wide range of choices from metals, insulators and semiconductors with controllable band gaps. Materials by design are becoming a reality, yielding systems with tailor-made properties. Controlling lattice orientation, layers, defects during chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or Plasma-Enhanced CVD (PECVD) 2DM’s growth remains a challenge. Electrocatalysis and sensors require 2DMs electrodes with high electron transport, active material loading, mechanical stability, and surface-to-mass ratio. The proposed chair will contribute to: (A.1) study the structure/property relations in 2DMs obtained with CVD and PECVD to find the ideal conditions for nucleation and edge reconstruction. Such guidance is imperative for experimentalists to improve their growth; (A.2) Understand the role of 2DMs/metal or metal oxide interface in electrocatalytic energy and photovoltaic conversion for high conversion efficiency for water splitting and sensing applications. This exploration will revive the catalytic activity of 2DMs to replace costly platinum-based electrocatalysts in commercial applications; (A.3) Investigate different strategies for 2DMs functionalization with Single Stranded DNA (ssDNA) and antibodies for aptasensors applications with high sensitivity and selectivity Highly qualified personnel (HQP) mentoring is central to the present CRC research program to provide skills in high demand in academic research labs and the industrial sector. The research programs (A.1 and A.2) involve chemical processes, thus Sex and Gender-based analysis is not directly applicable. For (A.3), specific attention will be paid to ensure 1) an equal access for representative from various sex, gender and ethnicities throughout recruitment 2) global statistics analysis considering sex, gender and ethnicity 3) inclusive knowledge transfer strategy targeting all possible populations and participants. Particularly, the equal access to sensors testing trials and promoting analytes (targets) diversity (e.g., prostate and breast cancer markers) will be mandatory. The proposed CRC will consolidate Canada’s position as a leader in sustainable nanotechnology-based 2MDs.