Description du projet
Un nouveau système d’imagerie pour détecter la contribution de nanoparticules uniques aux réactions catalytiques
Les nanomatériaux présentent une hétérogénéité structurelle et fonctionnelle au niveau des nanoparticules individuelles. Bien que les techniques de microscopie fournissent souvent des images statiques de la composition chimique, de la morphologie et de la structure des nanoparticules, l’imagerie de l’activité chimique des nanoparticules uniques reste un défi. Observer comment la structure ou la composition chimique d’une seule nanoparticule affecte la vitesse d’une réaction catalytique constitue le Saint-Graal de la catalyse. Il s’agit également d’un outil essentiel pour la conception rationnelle de matériaux catalytiques de nouvelle génération destinés aux secteurs de l’énergie et de la santé. Le projet NACAREI, financé par l’UE, propose de développer une méthode de nano-imagerie d’une résolution sans précédent.
Objectif
How can we “see” a catalytic reaction on a single nanoparticle? While our eyes use visible light to create a vivid perception of our world, they are unable to resolve the nanoscale. Now imagine light yet allowing us to equally vividly see a chemical process and thereby enabling us to witness how structure or chemical composition of a single nanoparticle control the rate of a catalytic reaction on its surface. To date, the lack of a suitable technique prevents this ultimate level of insight at technically relevant conditions. At the same time, to gain such insight is the ultimate goal of catalysis science and a key enabler for the rational design of next-generation catalyst materials needed to address some of humanity’s grand challenges in the energy, environmental clean-up and health sectors. NACAREI therefore develops a nanoimaging method that realizes this ultimate goal. As the key ingredients for achieving the necessary unprecedented resolution, it relies on the combined nano-confinement of reaction products in, and the ultrahigh optical sensitivity of, nanofluidic structures. Particular focus will also be put on the development of methods to fabricate or trap size-, shape- and composition-controlled single sub-10 nm metal nanoparticles inside nanofluidic channels by combining key traits of top-down nanofabrication and colloidal synthesis. The developed nanoimaging platform will be applied to scientific case studies related to catalyst function with respect to the roles of particle structure, surface state, chemical composition and interaction with the support, and thereby uncover the next generation of catalyst design rules. In the long term, I envision the developed nanoscale imaging platform to enable the study of other nanoscale processes, for example in biochemistry, thereby enabling high impact also at other vibrant scientific frontiers.
Champ scientifique
Mots‑clés
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Régime de financement
ERC - Support for frontier research (ERC)Institution d’accueil
412 96 GOTEBORG
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