14. May 2024, 16:00 until 17:00

Jeppe Vang Lauritsen, Aarhus University, Denmark

Seminar

Catalytic and Electrocatalytic Properties Investigated at the Atomic Scale by Surface Science : From Oxides to Single-Atom Catalysts

 

We pursue the goal of understanding fundamental properties of heterogeneous catalysts and electrocatalysts by focusing on what happens on the atomic level on surfaces. Surface science techniques, such as Scanning Probe Microscopy (STM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) are excellent methods in this regard, since they allow us to image surfaces in atomic detail and characterize the interaction with reactants – sometimes at elevated pressure conditions corresponding to catalytic conditions. In my talk, I will first give examples of how we use ambient-pressure scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to investigate Cu surfaces in atomic detail. Cu(110) is not reactive to CO2 in vacuum conditions, but when the pressure is raised, the surface structure converts, leading to a high Cu mobility and creation of Cu-carbonate complexes. For CuZn/Cu(111), which is a candidate for the active surface in industrial methanol synthesis, the response is quite different. Here the surface is stable in CO2, but for CO containing gases at mbar pressure, Zn atoms are abstracted from the alloy, leading to a destabilization. In electrocatalysis studies, we have developed a model system that incorporates Co1 single atom sites in a monolayer carbon-nitride on Au(111) [1]. Using an electrochemical cell seamlessly connected to the STM system or a synchrotron setup, we can monitor the reactivity and investigate the characteristic structural changes and stability of resulting from contact to the electrochemical environment.

[1] ACS Nano 2023, 17, 17, 17489–17498

Calendar entry

Event location

SEM.R. DB gelb 05 B
1040 Wien
Wiedner Hauptstraße 8-10/E134

 

Organiser

IAP
Manuela Marik
marik@iap.tuwien.ac.at

 

Public

Yes

 

Entrance fee

No

 

Registration required

No