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Talks and Poster Presentations (with Proceedings-Entry):

D. Eder:
"Hybridization and mesostructuring as tools towards functional photocatalysts";
Talk: 1st International Conference on Functional Nanomaterials and Nanodevices NANO-MAT2017, Budapest; 09-24-2017 - 09-27-2017; in: "Intern. Conference on Functional Nanomaterials and Nanodevices", zape4at.com, (2017), ISBN: 978-954-2987-31-4; 1.



English abstract:
In this lecture I will discuss the main challenges in heterogeneous photocatalysis and pre­ sent two materials design strategies.

What are nanocarbon-inorganic hybrids?
Hybridising nanocarbon materials, i.e. CNTs and graphene, with active inorganic nanomaterials constitutes a powerful strategy towards designing new-generation functional materials for many applications where efficient charge separation and extraction is required, including photovoltaics, photocatalysis, batteries, super­ capacitors and biosensors. In contrast to nanocomposites, which merely combine the intrinsic properties of both compounds, nanocarbon hybrids additionally provide access to both a large internal active surface area required for gas/liquid-solid interactions and an extended interfa­ ce, through which charge and energy transfer processes create synergistic effects that result in unique properties and superior performances.

How can they be improved?
I will demonstrate that the performance of these hybrids can be further enhanced through purposefully engineering interfaces and morphology, e.g. fewer grain boundaries alleviate electron transport within the catalyst and the formation of an Ohmic junction facilitates charge transfer and charge separation at the interface with the nanocarbon.

How do they function?
I will present a model system that allows for measuring and tuning of interfacial charge and energy transfer processes and for revealing the nature of catalytically active sites in nanocarbon hybrids.
How do go on from here? The next aim is to design hybrids with 3D-accessible ordered me­ soporous architectures and large pores to eliminate kinetic restrictions imposed by pore diffusion and allow ready gas and liquid access to all active sites. I will show some preliminary results using tailor-made triblock-terpolymers as structure-directing agents and sacrificial templates.

Created from the Publication Database of the Vienna University of Technology.