Future perspective

Despite the advances shown in this thesis, many issues remain unsolved. Future work could be focused on the following aspects:

 In this thesis, it was shown that doping of nanostructures, for example sulfur doping of tungsten oxide nanowires, is a suitable method for the synthesis of nanostructures with controlled morphology and composition. Similar methods can be developed for the synthesis of other metal oxide and carbide nanostructures. Further, since doping of nanostructures involves a change in the surface chemistry of nanostructures, it is noteworthy to study the electrochemical properties of doped and pristine nanostructures as electrocatalysts for PEMFC applications.  The method developed in this research for the synthesis of composite

nanostructures opens a path to development of new type nanostructures such as oxide, silicide, carbide and organic thin films. These composite nanostructures can be used in various applications such as PEMFCs.

 In the preparation of TiO2 nanoparticle decorated NCNTs, the size of TiO2 was kept constant. However, the synthesis method of these nanostructures provides the means of synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles with well controlled diameters. It is possible to study the dependence of various properties of these nanostructures on TiO2 nanoparticle such as interaction of composite nanostructures with Pt

catalysts.

 Metal silicide nanostructures due to their properties can be potential catalyst supports for PEMFCs. However, the presence of silicon oxide on these nanostructures can be an obstacle in the road for application of these

nanostructures. Thus, development of a new synthesis method or a post treatment process for the removal of the silicon oxide layer would be of great interest.  Study of interaction of between the catalyst support and Pt catalyst nanoparticles

using X-ray absorption spectroscopy has revealed that the catalyst supports can greatly affect the electronic structure of Pt nanoparticles. To design a highly active electrocatalysts for PEMFCs, it is required to further understand the effect of novel catalyst support, especially multi component supports on electronic structure of the catalysts.

Curriculum Vitae

Post-secondary Sharif University of Technology

Education and Tehran, Iran

Degrees: 2000-2005 B.Sc.

The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada

2006-2008 M.Sc.

The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada

2008- 2013 (expected) Ph.D.

Honours and Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology

Awards: 2009-2010

Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2010-2011, 2011-2012

Graduate Thesis Award 2010-2011

2011-2012

Related Work Teaching Assistant

Experience The University of Western Ontario 2006-2012

Publications:

[1] Banis MN, Zhang Y, Banis HN, Li R, Sun X, Jiang X and Nikanpour D “Controlled Synthesis and Characterization of Single Crystaline MnO Nanowires and Mn-Si Oxide and their Heterostructures by Vapor Phase Deposition.” 2011 Chemical Physics Letters 501 470–474

[2] Banis MN, Zhang Y, Li R, Sun X, Jiang X and Nikanpour D “Vanadium Oxide Assisted Synthesis of Networked Silicon Oxide Nanowires and Their Growth

[3] Banis MN, Meng X, Zhang Y, Cai M, Li R, and Sun X, “Spatial Sequential Growth of Various WSi2 Networked Nanostructures and Mechanism” 2012, submitted to Journal of Materials Chemistry XX

[4] ] Banis MN, Meng X, Zhang Y, Cai M, Li R, and Sun X, “Tailoring Growth of

Single Crystalline Complex Ta5Si3 Nanostructures: From Networked Nanowires to Nanosheets” Submitted to General Motors for review.

[5] Banis MN, Sun S, Meng X, Zhang Y, Li R, Cai M, Sham TK, and Sun X, “TiSi2Ox

Coated N-doped Carbon Nanotubes for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells” 2012 submitted to Journal of Physical Chemistry C. [6] Banis MN, Sun S, Zhang Y, Li R, Cai M, Sham TK, and Sun X, “TiO2 Nanoparticle

Decorated Nitrogen Doped Carbon Nanotubes as Pt Catalyst Support for Low Temperature Fuel Cells” Submitted to General Motors for review.

[8] Banis MN, Zhang Y, Li R, Sun X, “One Step Tunable Synthesis of Pristine Sulfur

doped W18O49 Nanowires and WS2/W18O49 Nanocables” submitted to General Motors for review.

[9] Chen Y, Wang J, Liu H, Banis MN, Li R, Sun X, Sham T-K, Ye S and Knights S “Nitrogen Doping Effects on Carbon Nanotubes and the Origin of the Enhanced

Electrocatalytic Activity of Supported Pt for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.” 2011 Journal of Physical Chemistry C 115 3769–3776

[10] Li X, Meng X, Liu J, Geng D, Zhang Y, Banis MN, Li Y, Li R, Sun X, Cai M, Verbrugge M, “Tin Oxide with Controlled Morphology and Crystallinity by Atomic Layer Deposition onto Graphene Nanosheets for Enhanced Lithium Storage” 2012 Advanced Functional Materials 22 1647–1654

[11] Li Y, Wang J, Zhang Y, Banis MN, Liu J, Geng D, Li R and Sun X “Facile Controlled Synthesis and Growth Mechanisms of Flower-like and Tubular MnO2 Nanostructures by Microwave-assisted Hydrothermal Method.” 2012 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 369 123–128

[12] Li Y, Wang J, Li X, Geng D, Banis MN, Li R and Sun X “Nitrogen-doped Graphene Nanosheets as Cathode Materials with Excellent Electrocatalytic Activity for High Capacity Lithium-oxygen Batteries” 2012 Electrochemistry Communications 18 12–15

[13] Liu J, Meng X, Hu Y, Geng D, Banis MN, Cai M, Li R and Sun X “Controlled Synthesis of Zirconium Oxide on Graphene Nanosheets by Atomic Layer Deposition” 2012 submitted to Carbon

[14] Liu J, Meng X, Banis MN, Cai M, Li R and Sun X “Crystallinity-Controlled Synthesis of Zirconium Oxide Thin Films on Nitrogen-doped Carbon Nanotubes by Atomic Layer Deposition.” 2012 Journal of Physical Chemistry C 116 14656–14664 [15] Meng X, Zhong Y, Sun Y, Banis MN, Li R and Sun X “Nitrogen-doped Carbon Nanotubes Coated by Atomic Layer Deposited SnO2 with Controlled Morphology and Phase.” 2011 Carbon 49 1133–1144

[16] Meng X, Ionescu M, Banis MN, Zhong Y, Liu H, Zhang Y, Sun S, Li R and Sun X “Heterostructural Coaxial Nanotubes of CNT@Fe2O3 via Atomic Layer Deposition: Effects of Surface Functionalization and Nitrogen-doping.” 2011 Journal of Nanoparticle Research 13 1207–1218

[17] Meng X, Geng D, Liu J, Banis MN, Zhang Y, Li R and Sun X “Non-Aqueous Approach to Synthesize Amorphous/Crystalline Metal Oxide-Graphene Nanosheet Hybrid Composites.” 2010 Journal of Physical Chemistry C 114 18330–18337

[18] Saha MS, Banis MN, Zhang Y, Li R, Sun X, Cai M and Wagner FT “Tungsten Oxide Nanowires Grown on Carbon Paper as Pt Electrocatalyst Support for High Performance PEM Fuel Cells.” 2009 Journal of Power Sources 192 330–335 [19] Wang J., Yang J., Zhang Y., Li Y., Banis M. N., Li X., Li R., Sun X, Liang G, Gauthier M, “Interaction of Carbon Coating on LiFePO4: Local Visualization Study of the Influence of Impurity Phases”. 2012 Advanced Functional Materials In press. [20] Sun S, Zhang G, Geng D, Chen Y, Banis MN, Li R, Cai M and Sun X ““New Insight into the Conventional Replacement Reaction for the Large-Scale Synthesis of Various Metal Nanostructures and their Formation Mechanism””‎2010 Chemistry - A European Journal 16 829–835

[21] Zhang Y, Geng D, Liu H, Banis MN, Ionescu MI, Li R, Cai M and Sun X “Designed Growth and Characterization of Radially Aligned Ti5Si3 Nanowire Architectures.” 2011 Journal of Physical Chemistry C 115 15885–15889

[22] Zhang G, Sun S, Banis MN, Li R, Cai M and Sun X “Morphology-controlled Green Synthesis of Single Crystalline Silver Dendrites, Dendritic Flowers and Rods, and their Growth Mechanism. “ 2011 Crystal Growth and Design 11 2493–2499

[23] Zhou J, Wang J, Liu H, Banis MN, Sun X and Sham T-K “Imaging Nitrogen in Individual Carbon Nanotubes.” 2010 Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 1 1709–1713