Electrochemistry

In this study, we present a novel multifunctional coating that enhances the adhesion, surface stability, water repellency, and corrosion resistance of electrodeposited polythiophene (PTH) coatings. By incorporating a thienyl-substituted silane coupling agent as a surface modifier, we significantly improve adhesion to steel substrates. The addition of a poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) topcoat further increases water repellency.

The external components of spacecraft and satellites endure extreme environmental conditions, including ultra-vacuum, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and atomic oxygen, leading to material degradation over time. Among the most vulnerable parts are the solar panels and their supporting base structures, which lack the protection of multi-layer insulation. This research aims to enhance the resilience of these components through innovative material solutions, contributing to sustainability by addressing space debris and minimizing the depletion of critical Earth resources.

The natural environment is facing several contaminants including hazardous metals, dyes, medicines, and plastics. In particular, plastics, one of the most sought-after synthetic materials, are widely used in a variety of applications, including electronics, building, and packaging, due to their ease of manufacture and low weight. One novel recycling method that has been introduced as a mild and sustainable technology for processing waste plastic is electrochemistry, particularly when driven by renewable energy sources.

The existing global energy crisis demands potential materials for applications relating to renewable energy production, for instance, hydrogen fuel generation via water splitting. Transition metal phosphide (TMP) nanoparticles e.g., copper phosphide (Cu3-xP), nickel phosphide (Ni2P), etc. are well known water splitting catalysts. Our prior experiences with TMPs confirm the superior activity of bimetallic phosphides over their monometallic counterparts.

Supercapacitors, celebrated for their high power density and rapid charge-discharge capabilities, represent a promising solution to meet the increasing demand for sustainable energy storage systems. This research adopts a sustainable approach to develop green supercapacitors by leveraging biomass-derived materials for both electrodes and electrolytes, thereby aligning with global efforts toward green energy technologies and the circular economy.

The acceleration of climate change due to carbon emissions has generated an imminent need to transition towards renewable energy sources. However, the intermittent nature of renewable sources like wind or solar energy necessitates breakthroughs in energy storage devices that can rapidly charge and discharge. This poster presents research on the improvement of capacitance in ionic liquid electrolytes by tuning electrochemical interfaces.

Fluoropolymers, notably poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PH), are rendered to be an excellent choice for superior performance coatings attributed to their exceptional mechanical robustness, thermal resistance, and resistance to chemical attack. However, their low surface energy results in poor adhesion to metal substrates, limiting their application in critical corrosion-resistant systems. To address this challenge, PH was hydroxyl-modified (PHOH) to introduce active functional groups that enhance bonding capabilities.

High levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have contributed negatively to climate change, global warming and ocean acidification. Therefore, here we provide a possible solution to help reduce these levels together with the production of CH4, a high-value chemical intended for energy purposes. The approach we utilize was invented by our group, making use of a metastable intermediate Hydrogen-bonded Metal-Organic Framework (HMOF) to synthesize, by dehydration, stable and functional phosphonate MOFs.

The development of sustainable methodologies for the synthesis of organic compounds is a fundamental challenge in modern organic chemistry. This project is focused on advancing the fields of photoredox catalysis (PRC) and synthetic photoelectrochemistry, exploring their applications in oxidative C-H substitution reactions.