Nano Energy Technology CenterNano Energy Technology Center

A. Leson, C. Schulz

CeNIDE, Universität Duisburg-EssenCeNIDE, Universität Duisburg-Essen

leson@cenide.de

Background

Energy technology is one of the major challenges of the

21st century

Solution: The NanoEnergieTechnikZentrum

NETZ is an application-focused research project

Aim: Develop materials and processes which allow nanotechnology to be used in industry21st century

Nanotechnology can significantly contribute in this field

The link between nanoscience and energy technology is based

on one fundamental fact: Conversion of energy takes place at

interfaces and surfaces and therefore on the nanometer scale

Multifunctional materials for energy technology can be designed

Aim: Develop materials and processes which allow nanotechnology to be used in industry

Multifunctional materials for energy technology can be designed

based on principles and materials provided by nanotechnology

Main steps:

Cluster of nanoparticle synthesis reactors Flame reactor Hot-wall reactor Microwave plasma reactor

The availability gap

Main steps:

I. Develop processes for the synthesis of nanomaterials on an industrial scale

�A unique cluster of pilot-plant-scale gas-phase reactors for the synthesis of highly specific

nanoparticles has been installed at IUTA

�The reactors provide ample opportunities for in-situ measurements and sampling to fully

characterize the reaction processes and to provide information for the development and

validation of numerical simulation tools

So far: Insufficient research into the production of nanomaterials

in large volumes

���� Materials of interest are not available on practically validation of numerical simulation tools

II. Functionalization, dispersion, generation of hybrid materials

�Surface modification of synthesized particles is the key for the production of dispersions and

composite or hybrid materials

�Investigation if the interplay of nanoparticles, matrix materials, and dispersion strategies

���� Materials of interest are not available on practically

relevant scales

���� The suitability of nanomaterials for volume production

cannot be demonstrated

���� Industrial implementation is too risky for companies

���� Potential applications are not developed

The aim of the NanoEnergieTechnikZentrum (NETZ) is to III. Coating, immobilization, processing

�Generation of functional surfaces and volume elements

The aim of the NanoEnergieTechnikZentrum (NETZ) is to

overcome this deadlock

Developing materials and processes for application in

A unique research facility

� 36 labs and 66 offices

� Floor space: 3.900 m²

� Microscopy center with

state-of-the-art facilities

Application fields

I. Fuel cells:

Develop electrodes with long-term stability with low precious metal load by state-of-the-art facilities

� Seminar rooms, and

communication zones

� CeNIDE Headquarter

Highly flexible labs ensure adaptability to the requirements of

Fuel cell stack (Source: ZBT)

Develop electrodes with long-term stability with low precious metal load by

better understanding aging mechanisms and optimizing carrier materials

II. Battery technology:

Develop anode materials with high storage density of more than

1500 mAh/g based in Silicon / Carbon nanocomposites

Partners and Funding agencies

Highly flexible labs ensure adaptability to the requirements of

future research directions

Four-probe microscope (Source: UDE)

1500 mAh/g based in Silicon / Carbon nanocomposites

III. Catalysts for energy technology:

Develop immobilized, functional nanoparticles for photo-catalytic water

dissociation, for processing cellulose to sugars and for optimizing the

interaction of light with surfaces for improving photocatalysisPartners and Funding agencies

Partners:TiO2 ball (Source: MPI-K)

interaction of light with surfaces for improving photocatalysis

IV. Photovoltaics:

Reduce the number of process steps and processing temperature of

Silicon-based photovoltaics using highly doped Si nanoparticles and

laser sintering

Funding:

Si wafer suffering from too high process

temperature (Source: ZHO)

Thermoelectric generator (Source: UDE)

laser sintering

V. Thermoelectrical generators:

Develop thermoelectric materials based on Si-Ge nanocomposites

Unlike the Pb, Te and Sb compounds typically used so far, the

SiGe system is non-toxic and uses abundant raw materialsThermoelectric generator (Source: UDE)