| NSF Org: |
DMR Division Of Materials Research |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | May 10, 2011 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | May 10, 2011 |
| Award Number: | 1104725 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Birgit Schwenzer
bschwenz@nsf.gov (703)292-4771 DMR Division Of Materials Research MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | June 1, 2011 |
| End Date: | May 31, 2016 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $134,626.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $134,626.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
35 E 12TH ST HOLLAND MI US 49423-3626 (616)395-7316 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
35 E 12TH ST HOLLAND MI US 49423-3626 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | SOLID STATE & MATERIALS CHEMIS |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
The goal of this research program is to characterize nanoporous alloys formed by the dealloying of electrodeposited ternary and quaternary alloys. Assistant Professor of Physics Jennifer Hampton and a team of undergraduate students at Hope College will fabricate complex nanoporous alloy materials using electrochemical deposition and dealloying, characterize the dealloying process for these materials, and measure the catalytic behavior of the resulting structures. Specifically, the work will focus on nickel-based alloys with iron, cobalt, copper, and zinc. By characterizing the chemical composition, morphology, and active surface area of the materials before and after the dealloying step, they will advance the understanding of the dealloying process, extending it to complex multi-component alloys. Measurement of catalytic behavior using two model reactions, hydrogen evolution and methanol oxidation, will uncover the roles played by both composition and morphology on the reactivity of these nanoporous alloy materials. This work is funded by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry program of the Division of Materials Research.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Nanoporous metal structures have a variety of interesting properties, including low density, high surface area, and enhanced optical and catalytic behavior. Their enhanced reactivity makes them promising materials for catalytic applications. Similarly, metal alloys often have enhanced reactivity towards specific reactions. The focus of this research program is to study nanoporous alloy thin films, combining the characteristics of both porous structures and alloyed materials. Assistant Professor of Physics Jennifer Hampton and a team of undergraduate students at Hope College will fabricate thin film nanoporous alloys using electrochemical methods. They will then screen the resulting samples for catalytic behavior using two model reactions which are important for the nation's energy future- the production of hydrogen gas from water and the oxidation of methanol as a fuel. By doing so, they will advance the understanding of the fabrication processes for these complex multi-component nanostructured materials and will learn how chemical composition and structure contribute to the resulting reactivity. This interdisciplinary research program will involve undergraduate students with interests in physics, chemistry, and materials engineering. They will contribute to an exciting area of research at the boundaries between the different disciplines. This work is funded by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry program of the Division of Materials Research.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
As a result of this project, Jennifer Hampton, Associate Professor of Physics at Hope College, and her team of undergraduate researchers studied the electrodeposition and electrochemical dealloying behavior of a variety of nickel-based alloys as well as the catalytic behavior of the resulting materials with respect to several technologically relevant reactions. This award enabled research in the Hampton Group from June 2011 through May 2016. The PI and 6 students were supported in whole or in part by this award for summer research periods. Some students were also supported by this award for research during the academic terms. Other sources of support for the PI and a total of 15 unique students, both during the summer and the academic terms, included an REU grant to the Hope College Physics Department, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute award to Hope College, and a variety of Hope College internal funds.
Intellectual Merit
Research highlights include:
The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reactivity was measured for NiCu alloy samples before and after the Cu was selectively removed. The dealloyed samples were generally more reactive at lower overpotentials, and the increase cannot be explained purely by an increase in effective surface area. These results indicate that dealloying is a promising method for the fabrication of this type of catalyst.
For electrodeposited Ni, Co, and NiCo films, electrochemical double-layer capacitance and electrochemical effective area measurements were measured and compared to roughness factors calculated from using atomic force microscopy topography. Double-layer capacitance measurements are correlated with roughness, providing a straight-forward in situ estimate of accessible surface area for comparing sample reactivity.
The dealloying behavior of electrodeposited NiCo and NiCoCu samples was explored. Films were dealloying using linear sweep voltammetry to various potentials. The composition, morphology, and electrochemical capacitance of the samples before and after dealloying were measured to gain insight into the evolution of the film over the course of the linear sweep.
Broader Impacts
Research in the Hampton group is carrier out exclusively by undergraduate and high school students. During the period of the award, 15 unique students were involved in research in the Hampton Group, including one high school student and three students from other institutions. Fourteen of these students were involved in summer research, including 4 for multiple summers, while 10 were involved in research during the academic terms. During the period of the award, 39 internal and 35 external or invited presentations were given by students or the PI. To date, the research enabled by this award has resulted in two published journal papers and an additional manuscript which is under review.
Group alumni have pursued a variety of careers and continued education after graduation. As of the fall of 2016, seven graduated students are in Ph.D. programs in STEM fields (physics, chemistry, mathematics, and materials science). One group alumnus is in an M.S. program in energy economics and one is in an M.S.W. program. Other outcomes include working in the private sector, serving in AmeriCorps VISTA, and co-founding a startup company.
Last Modified: 08/19/2016
Modified by: Jennifer R Hampton
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