Year

2023

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials

Abstract

Mechanocatalysis often aligns with the principles of green chemistry in which the need for traditional solvents can be reduced or eliminated to promote energy-efficient processes. This can contribute to more sustainable and environmentally friendly chemical reactions. Ultrasonication, employing ultrasound as a mechanical power source, offers distinctive advantages in mechanocatalysis, such as easy scalability, high penetration, enhanced accessibility of catalyst surfaces, and environmental friendliness. Utilizing these benefits, this research concentrates on employing ultrasonication for mechanocatalysis, aiming to produce free radicals in water primarily for applications in clean energy and environmental treatment.

Piezocatalysis has garnered significant attention in mechanocatalysis, owing to the energy conversion capabilities of piezoelectric materials, enabling the transformation of mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa. Nevertheless, the non-centrosymmetric structural constraint and the limited availability of suitable piezoelectric materials may impose restrictions on the variety of piezocatalytic applications. Hence, the goal of this thesis work is to explore innovative and adaptable mechanocatalytic mechanisms, contributing to the enrichment of mechanochemistry and expanding the range of catalyst candidates capable of fulfilling the demand for multifield applications.

FoR codes (2020)

4016 Materials engineering, 5104 Condensed matter physics, 3403 Macromolecular and materials chemistry, 4018 Nanotechnology

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.