11.5.2024(Tue)13:00～11.6.2024(Wed)12:00

Tohoku University Katahira campus,
South Multidisciplinary Research Lab 2,
1F, Main conference room

Contact:
hiromasa.niinomi.b2*tohoku.ac.jp (Please relpace * with @).

MMH Lecture Meeting

10.31.2024(Thu) 15:00～16:00

Tohoku University Katahira campus,
　AIMR Main building 2F,
　Conference room

Overview
Speaker: Prof. Alexander Sachse (IC2MP)

Title: Exploring Zeolite-Templated Carbons through the Zeolite Lens
Abstract: Zeolite-Templated Carbons (ZTCs) are highly microporous and structured carbons synthesized using zeolites as templates. They have shown remarkable efficiency in energy conversion processes and adsorption applications. Despite their promising applications, many questions about their structure, composition, and formation mechanisms remain unresolved. This seminar will address these gaps by examining the limitations and challenges in understanding ZTCs. We will discuss how comprehensive characterization of hybrid carbon/zeolite materials has shed light on the fundamental impact of zeolite properties on ZTC formation. Specifically, we will highlight insights gained from time-resolved X-ray diffraction experiments using synchrotron radiation, which reveal how the evolving carbon structures interact with the zeolite framework. Additionally, we will investigate the use of innovative zeolite structures that extend beyond traditional limitations to develop new members of the ZTC family. We will also demonstrate how ZTCs can serve as effective tools for overcoming the challenges associated with the direct characterization of the textural properties of hierarchical zeolites.

MMH Lecture Meeting

9.3.2024(Tue) 15:00～16:00

Tohoku University Katahira campus,
　AIMR Main building 2F,
　Conference room

Overview
Speaker: Prof. Angus Pedersen ( Imperial College London)

Title: Probing the Fate of Iron Single Atom Electrocatalysts in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Impact of Local pH
Abstract: Low temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) powered by green hydrogen provide a means to sustainable energy production for stationary and transport applications. Their widespread commercialization is limited by the cost of the platinum catalyst at the cathode, where oxygen reduction occurs. Atomic Fe sites within nitrogen-doped carbon (Fe-N-C) offer a potentially cheaper and more sustainable alternative,[1] exhibiting the most promising non-precious metal activity for oxygen reduction. However, their stability is still below commercial realization owing to several degradation routes. Fe demetallation has been suggested as the primary initial degradation mechanism. However, the fate of Fe varies under different operating conditions. Here, we monitor operando Fe dissolution of a previously developed highly porous and >50% FeNx electrochemical utilization Fe-N-C catalyst [2] in 0.1 M HClO4, under O2 and Ar at different temperatures, in gas diffusion electrode (GDE) coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). By combining these results with pre- and post-mortem analyses, we demonstrate that in the absence of oxygen, Fe cations diffuse away within the liquid electrolyte. Conversely, in the presence of O2 at ≥-15 mA cm-2, the Fe cations reprecipitate as Fe-oxides (Fe2O3 being the majority species). We support our conclusions with a microkinetic model, revealing that the local pH in the catalyst layer predominantly accounts for the observed trend. Even at a moderate current density of -15 mA cm-2geo and under O2 at 25oC, a significant H+ consumption and therefore pH increase (pH = 8-9) within the bulk Fe-N-C layer facilitates precipitation of Fe cations. This work provides a view on the Fe degradation mechanism for a model Fe-N-C under practical operating GDE conditions, underscoring the crucial role of local pH in regulating the fate of the active sites.[3]
References
[1] A. Pedersen, J. Pandya, G. Leonzio, A. Serov, A. Bernardi, I. Stephens, M.-M. Titirici, C. Petit, B. Chachuat, Green Chem. 2023, 25, 10458.
[2] J. Barrio, A. Pedersen, S. Ch. Sarma, A. Bagger, M. Gong, S. Favero, C.-X. Zhao, R. Garcia-Serres, A. Y. Li, Q. Zhang, F. Jaouen, F. Maillard, A. Kucernak, I. E. L. Stephens, M.-M. Titirici, Adv. Mater. 2023, 35, 2211022.
[3] A. Pedersen, K. Kumar, Y.-P. Ku, V. Martin, L. Dubau, K. T. Santos, J. Barrio, V. Saveleva, P. Glatzel, V. Paidi, X. Li, A. Hutzler, M.-M. Titirici, A. Bonnefont, S. Cherevko, I. Stephens, F. Maillard, Energy Environ. Sci. 2024, Accepted.
[4] K. Ehelebe, J. Knöppel, M. Bierling, B. Mayerhöfer, T. Böhm, N. Kulyk, S. Thiele, K. J. J. Mayrhofer, S. Cherevko, Angew. Chem. - Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 8882.

Contact:
hirotomo.nishihara.b1*tohoku.ac.jp (Please relpace * with @).

2.28.2023(Tue) 9:30～10:30

Tohoku University Katahira campus,
　IMRAM West building No.1,
　Main conference room

Overview
Speaker: Prof. Kenji FUKUZAWA (Nagoya University)
　　　　 Associate Prof. Shintaro ITOH (Nagoya University)
Contact: hibara*tohoku.ac.jp (Please relpace * with @).

6.6.2024

This is "MMH annual report in 2023".

MMH Lecture Meeting

4.6.2023(Thu) 14:00～15:30

Tohoku University Katahira campus,
　AIMR Main building 2F,
　Conference room

Overview
Speaker: Prof. Katsumi Kaneko (Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University)

Abstract: The graphene-based nanostructures such as high-surface area nanoporous carbons, single wall carbon nanotube, and nanowindows in graphene layer exhibit novel functions, which should support sustainable engineering. This presentation will show promising fundamental science for creation of innovative technologies for future human society. [1] The highly efficient separation of 18O2 from 16O2 has been requested for providing non-expensive cancer detection. Dynamic adsorption of mixed 18O2 and 16O2 around 112 K on nanoporous materials gives high adsorption selectivity of > 1.5 [2], being more than 100 times larger than the current separation technology. The sustainable society has requested better supercapacitors [3]. The structure of ionic liquid, EMI-TFSI, confined in 0.7 nm slit-shaped pores of carbide-derived carbon was studied with HRMC simulation-aided X-ray scattering. We evidenced the accumulation of EMI cations and TFSI anions in the pores due to marked image charge effect [4]. This suggests a possibility of new type of supercapacitors. Application of waste-heat enables a completely new type of methane storage which has been requested for a stationary supplying of renewable energy. We introduced thermally switchable graphene-locks to carbon nanopores. Therefore, the nanoporous carbon with this graphene locks can store the high-pressure methane at an ambient pressure [5] The excellent separation rate of nanowindows in the graphene for N2, O2, and Ar is evidenced [6]. The graphene-wrapped zeolite membranes show ultrafast separation of H2 from CH4 with the selectivity factor of 245, which should be useful to produce blue hydrogen [7].

References
[1] K. Kaneko, F. Rodriguez-Reinoso Eds. Nanoporous Materials for Gas Storage, Springer, 2019.
[2]. S. K. Ujjain, A. Bagusetty, Y. Matsuda, H.Tanaka, P. Ahuja, C. de Tomas, M. Sakai, F.Vallejos-Burgos, R. Futamura, I. Suarez-Martinez, M. Matsukata, A. Kodama, G. Garberoglio, Y. Gogotsi, J. K. Johnson, K. Kaneko, Nature Comm. 12 (2021) 546-556
[3] M. Salanne B. Rotenberg,　K. Naoi, K. Kaneko, P.-L. Taberna, C. P. Grey, B. Dunn, P. Simon, Nature Energy,1, Article number: 16070 (2016)
[4] R. Futamura, T. Iiyama, Y. Takasaki, Y. Gogotsi, M. J. Biggs, M. Salanne, J. Ségalini, P. Simon, K.Kaneko, Nature Mater. (2017) 16, 1163-1273.
[5] S. Wang, F. Vallejos-Burgos, A. Furuse, J. P. Marco-Lozar, M. Nagae, H. Tanaka, H. Kanoh, J. Silvestre-Albero, K. Kaneko, Nature Energy, in revision
[6] F. Vallejos-Burgos, F.-X.Coudert, K. Kaneko, Nature Comm. (2018) 9, 1812-1821.
[7] R. Kukobat, M. Sakai, H. Tanaka, H. Otsuka, F. Vallejos-Burgos, C. Lastoskie, M.Matsukata, Y. Sakai, K. Yoshida, T. Hayashi, K. Kaneko, Sci. Adv. 2022. 8, eabl3521 (1-11).

Application Process
Please send your affiliation, name and e-mail address to the following e-mail address.
hirotomo.nishihara.b1*tohoku.ac.jp (Please relpace * with @).

11.16.2022(Wen) 13:30～17:50

South Multidisciplinary Research Lab 2,
　1F, Main conference room (Onsite and online hybrid)

Application Process
Please apply by filling out the Google form below (application deadline: November 11).
https://forms.gle/BuESmwx3vhkuDs3Y8
Contact: yuuki.onitsuka.e8*tohoku.ac.jp (Please relpace * with @).

MMH Lecture Meeting

10.11.2022(Tue)15:00～16:30

Tohoku University Katahira campus
　IMRAM east building No.2
　2F Seminar room (Onsite)

Overview

Speaker：Distinguished Professor, Teresa J. Bandosz (The City College of The City University New York)
Title：Beyond Adsorption and Because of Adsorption: Exploring the silent aspect of carbon porosity
Abstract：In this talk we would like to provide an insight into our perspectives on the new applications of nanoporous carbons that were inspired by the graphene features and its presence in these carbonaceous materials. A significant advancement to the “new” science of the “old” nanoporous carbons is in their new application such as gas sensing and ORR and CO2RR catalysis. In these applications both surface chemistry and porosity are crucial factors determining the specific performance. The mechanism of specific processes based on an involvement of porosity will be proposed. Our inspiration by the science of graphene combined with the comprehensive knowledge of activated carbons surface chemistry, texture, morphology and adsorptive/reactive adsorptive properties directed us to look at carbons from another perspective; from the perspective of nanotechnology. The results obtained by us and briefly addressed here are new and many questions have arisen, and are left unanswered, and many approaches need improvements. One has to take into consideration that explaining the complex phenomena in nanoporous carbons is not easy owing to the combination of the porosity and surface chemistry effects. Practically either one cannot exist without another and they add up to that's specific and unique synergy provided only by these materials. One thing is certainly true: “adventurous” graphene features can be found in nanoporous carbons and they deserve to be explored and used to their full extent.

Application Process
Please send your affiliation, name and e-mail address to the following e-mail address.
hirotomo.nishihara.b1*tohoku.ac.jp (Please relpace * with @).

MMH Lecture Meeting

9.28.2022

Tohoku University Katahira campus
IMRAM west building No.2
3F Seminar room (Onsite and online hybrid)

Overview
Speaker : Assistant Prof. Shinichiro Minemoto (The University of Tokyo)

Application Process
Please send your affiliation, name and e-mail address to the following e-mail address.
masahiko*tohoku.ac.jp (Please relpace * with @).

MMH Lecture Meeting

9.15.2022

Tohoku University Katahira campus
IMRAM west building No.2
3F Seminar room (Onsite and online hybrid)

Application Process
Please send your affiliation, name and e-mail address to the following e-mail address.
masahiko*tohoku.ac.jp (Please relpace * with @).

7.26.2022

Tohoku University Katahira campus
IMRAM east building No.2
2F Seminar room (Onsite)

Overview
Speaker : Prof. Yongdan Li (Industrial Chemistry, Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Aalto University, Finland)
Title : Recent works on the membrane for non-aqueous redox flow battery and the challenges

Application Process
Please send your affiliation, name and e-mail address to the following e-mail address.
hirotomo.nishihara.b1*tohoku.ac.jp (Please relpace * with @).

7.19.2022

Tohoku University Katahira campus
IMRAM west building No.1
2F Main conference room
(Onsite and online hybrid, Onsite capacity:14 persons)

Overview
Speaker1 : Dr. Sophie Sobanska（Institut des Sciences Moléculaires, Université de Bordeaux, UMR CNRS 5255, France）
Title1 : Reactivity of atmospheric aerosol particles: a single particle point of view

Speaker2 : Dr. Shoji Ishizaka（Hiroshima University, Japan）
Title2 : Laser Trapping and Spectroscopy of Single Water Droplets in Air

Application Process
Please send your affiliation, name and e-mail address to the following e-mail address.
hibara*tohoku.ac.jp (Please relpace * with @).

MMH Symposium

6.29.2022

Tohoku University Katahira campus
(Onsite and online hybrid)

3.29.2022

This is "MMH annual report in 2021".

AtomDeC 1st International Symposium

1.18-19.2022

Online

MMH Forum for Young Researchers

11.19.2021(Fri) 13:25～16:30

Online

MMH Inauguration Symposium

10.05.2021(Tue) 13:00～18:00

South Multidisciplinary Research Lab 2, 1F, Main conference room