Advanced materials for low-carbon and sustainable society

The programme is focused on synthesis, characterisation, understanding and practical application of novel materials for sustainable development. The main focus is on materials that can either contribute to a decrease of the negative influence of human activities on environment and, at the same time, lead to new generations of materials with significantly improved properties. An example are materials for low-carbon energy sources or strategic materials with significantly prolonged lifetime. In order to meet the high requirements for use in advanced sustainable technologies the materials need to fullfil at least the following criteria: a) multifunctionality, b) stability during usage/operation, c) safety, d) environmental acceptability. All criteria are strongly correlated with the materials architecture on small scales. Creation of highly defined architectures on atomic level will be carried out through precise control of reactants on atomic or molecular scale, combined with understanding of interactions between various phases and their impact on final properties. Experimental techniques will be consistently upgraded with appropriate theoretical modeling. Using these principles, several classes of materials will be investigated: A) Paints and other technologies for exploitation of solar energy, B) Materials for energy storage (Liion and post-Li-ion such as sulphur, magnesium, aluminium batteries etc.), C) Materials for energy conversion (mostly electrocatalysts for fuel cells, electrocatalysers and other conversions), D) Surfaces of strategic metals with improved stability. The programme group has excess to a large set of most modern equipment for materials structural characterisation, chemical, electrochemical, physical and analyses. Finally, the group includes several experts that master modeling on various levels - from abinitio to continuum level. Combining modeling with designed experiments (model experiments) has given important insights so far and this approach will be preserved also in the next stage of this programme. To keep the high intensity and further enrich the approaches of our reasearch we will continue to cooperate with most established research institution across the world. The programme will retain a big focus on education of young engineers and scientist. Finally, the knowledge will be continuously transferred to our industrial partners, both in Slovenia and worldwide.

Postulated objectives of the possibility of full control of matter on atomic level are presenting both a scientific and a methodological challenge. At the scientific level, the current state-of-the-art is represented by only a partial control of the matter on atomic level while the majority of locations in given matter are poorly controlled (presence of unwanted agglomerates, aggregates, nanoscopic features etc.). Radically new methodologies employing multidisciplicary approaches are needed to master the atomic-level control over the large majority of a macroscopic material, especially when it is excpected to deliver a precise functionality. It is envisioned that the progress toward such full control will be gradual, with occasional important breakthroughs. Those are always going to be high-end achievement publishable in most prestigious journal (Nature family, Science etc.). As our research is by definition interdisciplinary, we expect a different impact when it comes to the particular field of research. For example, the potential impact of electrocatalysis will be achieved via the development of new generations of much more precisely prepared catalysts, new methodologies for control of preparation and revealing new mechanistic insight, and advanced modeling explaining the catalyst operation under realistic conditions. In the case of materials for solar applications we expect a much more precise preparation of composites where the building units will be atomic-level objects (atomic layers, homogeneousl doped objects etc.). In the field of batteries we expect extreme progress in several directions: mastering the surfaces of metals by decorating them, either electrochemically or chemically with very well defined thin layers, mastering solid-solid interfaces and ultimately identifying and alleviating the burning question of fast degradation of state-of-the-art batteries. In the research of strategic metals th emost important goals will be to unravel corrosion inhibition mechanisms and metal-inhibitor interactions to create a virtual laboratory as to diminish the use of necessary chemicals and experiments. At the methodological level, a comprehensive combination of organic and inorganic syntheses, experimental characterization and molecular modeling will be utilized including design-of-experimental (DoE) approach in optimization of synthesis of contemporary coatings.

In the near future the Industry 4.0 concept will determine the new pace of the world's progress. For this purpose much better technological solutions compared to those offered by current nanotechnological solutions will be needed. Thus, control of matter on atomic level is imminent. As regards the electrochemical reactions, they will be an integral part of the worldwide electrification to take place already in the next years and will continue for decades to come. At that point, many national and international companies will - besides fundamental knowledge - also need new know-how solutions regarding the emerging energy conversion materials, devices and practical processes. Importantly, the future technologies will also need people with new skills some of which are going to be educated within our programme. Electrochemistry-oriented topics include but are not limited to electrocatalysts for energy conversion (fuel cells and electrolyzers) and electrosynthesis (carbon and nitrogen cycles), hydrometallurgical recycling of critical raw materials like precious metals, electrochemical technologies for solar applications, electrochromic devices, and last but not least a range of batteries and supercapacitors. Currently, we are collaborating with Mebius (PEM fuel cell), Recytalyst (catalyst producer), ElringKlinger AG (e-mobility, fuel cells), Johnson Matthey (catalyst producer), Honda, Hidria, etc. In the field of corrosion challenges are enormous at the global level reaching trillions of dollars (3.4% BDP), the highest being in infrastructure (bridges, gas and liquid pipelines, material storages...), utilities like water and gas supplies, and transportation (railroads, cars, aircraft, ...). Even a small lifetime extension of metal constructions can save millions in maintenance and repair costs. It is generally agreed that 15-35% of corrosion costs could be avoided annually by appropriate corrosion mitigation strategies amounting up to between 370 and 800 billion USD.5,6 These savings can be spent for other purposes such as new products, societal and educational purposes, etc.