Nanoparticles of metal-metalloid compounds: studying their reactivity in molten salts to discover functional solids

This proposal aims at unveiling the chemical reactivity of nanoparticles in inorganic liquids, ie. molten salts, which are highly relevant to design new materials for electrocatalysis applied to energy conversion. Because these liquids operate between 300 and 700°C, they require special approaches in order to probe reactions in situ. Herein we want to understand structural transformations of metal nanoparticles when they react with boron and phosphorus in molten salts, and to evidence the formation of new solids with potentially high impact for energy conversion. In situ time resolved X-ray diffraction and scattering (PDF analysis) will enable evaluating the composition and temperature ranges where intermediates and new solids, including amorphous phases, form and then crystallize during the reaction. These data will unveil new solids and nanomaterials and provide the first understanding of reaction mechanisms into molten salts.