Description

This module will explore the renewable energy landscape including solar energy and the impact of nanomaterials in the environment, including a consideration of green chemistry. The area of carbon dioxide capture from anthropogenic sources is also addressed, together with current advances in the utilisation of capture CO2. 

This module aims to introduce students to the scientific concepts of energy generation, storage and delivery, in particular considering the chemical and physical properties of materials used for energy applications. Students will also consider the impact of materials in the environment, covering the principles and behaviour of colloids, including the fabrication and degradation of colloidal materials, including microplastics. 

The course of lectures will include: general introduction to renewable energy types and advantages, from biomass to ground source heat and also wind and some large scale solar. Then we will focus on solar energy and specific devices and uses of nanomaterials. Basics of absorbing light and electron and hole pair. What are the approaches and tests we can do on the materials for identifying photoactive materials. What are the problems of solar energy capture? What are the approaches to solar harvesting, e.g. self-cleaning, pavements and plastics and also windows, water purification, de-odourising and even maybe creating chemicals and hydrogen (water / brine splitting)? Energy: normal Si solar cell, DSSC, Hydrogen production using catalysts or a photodiode arrangement. We will also discuss the principles of green chemistry, consider costs of waste and waste management, life cycle assessment, green challenges with materials, green solvents and the challenges of materials synthesis (e.g. solid state vs hydrothermal), including for photocatalysts.

Lectures on colloidal materials in the environment will begin by describing the chemistry of colloids and surfaces and how the interface between the solid and aqueous environments plays a crucial role in their behaviour in aquatic systems. It will discuss techniques used to produce colloidal materials, and their degradation, and will further describe the global problem of microplastics in marine environments. 

Lectures on CO2 capture, storage and utilisation will discuss the greenhouse effect, sources of CO2 from power generation and other industries to transportation technologies. CO2 capture and storage will be described, including pre- and post-combustion technologies. The nature of the intermolecular interactions describing the physical and chemical properties of CO2 will be covered, as well as typical and new carbon capture materials – from mineral phases to microporous zeolites and novel nanostructures. Current challenges in CO2 conversion and utilisation are addressed.

MODULE AIMS:

At the end of the module students should be able to:

1. Describe the key concepts of energy generation, conversion, storage and delivery;
2. Discuss the principles of green chemistry, costs of waste and waste management, and materials synthesis challenges;
3. Differentiate the characteristics of different types of technologies for energy extraction, conversion, storage and delivery;
4. Describe the properties and behaviour of colloidal materials in the environment;
5. Consider methods of preparing and characterising colloidal materials;
6. Understand the physical and chemical requirements for CO2 capture, and the design principles for selective CO2 sorbent materials;
7. Appreciate in detail issues concerned with CO2 sequestration and utilisation.  

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS

Lectures: The module will be delivered through a blended approach. Pre-prepared handouts may be provided by the lecturer, either electronically or a paper copy. The lecturer may additionally require you to make your own notes during the lecture. Lectures are Lecturecast where the facilities are available; however, attendance is considered an indicator of student engagement and is therefore compulsory.

Self-study: In addition to timetabled hours it is expected that you engage in self-study in order to master the material. This can take the form of practicing example questions (additional questions available on Moodle and past exam questions) and further reading in textbooks and online.