Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The aim of this research program is to synthesize functional nanomaterials and develop a fundamental understanding of their electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties. Nanomaterials are both scientifically interesting and technologically important. Their unique electronic, optical and catalytic properties provide a great opportunity to develop novel catalysts for Green Chemistry applications and to design electrochemical sensors with high performance for environmental analysis. This research program will address the fundamental issues of the relationship between structure and reactivity at nanostructured electrochemical interfaces to contribute to the knowledge base needed to tailor efficient catalysts and to design novel electrochemical sensors. This research program builds on the work currently being carried out in my research group. The long-term objective is to develop new Green Technologies for the remediation of industrial waste streams, for sustainable hydrogen energy development and to design electrochemical sensors with high performance for glucose and pollutants analysis. The specific objectives are: (i) to design and fabricate functional nanomaterials such as platinum, palladium, carbon, iridium oxide and titanium oxide based nanostructures; (ii) to understand the adsorption, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical oxidation of hydrogen, sulfur compounds, glucose and phenolic pollutants on these nanomaterials; (iii) to determine the effect of size and morphology on the electrocatalytical and photocatalytic activity of the nanomaterials; and (iv) to functionalize titanium oxide nanomaterials and carbon nanotubes/nanofibres for enzyme immobilization. The economy of Northwestern Ontario relies heavily on the mining and pulp & paper industries. Electrochemical technology is widely used in metal production, the chemical industry and the pulp & paper sector. This proposed research program would become a key regional resource for these industries in the training of professionals with expertise in electrochemistry and environmental science.