Our Research
Catalyst Preparation and Testing
Supported Catalysts
We developed a “tool-box” synthesis approach based on “surfactant-free” colloidal nanoparticles in alkaline ethylene glycol. The key advantage over conventional synthesis approaches is that the catalyst properties (particle size, metal loading, support type, etc.) can be changed and optimized independent of each other. Therefore, the approach is ideally suited to systematically investigate complex phenomena, such as the particle size or the particle proximity effect of catalytic processes. This work is mainly done in close collaboration with the group of Dr. Sebastian Kunz in Bremen.
- ; pH Matters: The Influence of the Catalyst Ink on the Oxygen Reduction Activity Determined in Thin Film Rotating Disk Electrode Measurements;
- ; Nanoparticles in a Box: a Concept to Isolate, Store and Re-use Colloidal Surfactant-Free Precious Metal Nanoparticles;
- ; The Colloidal Tool-Box Approach for Fuel Cell Catalysts: Systematic Study of Perfluorosulfonate-Ionomer Impregnation and Pt Loading;
Preparation and investigation of support-free, nanoporous thin film catalysts
We investigate nanoporous metal alloy films as support free catalysts. The key point is to combine a high specific activity, as known for bulk alloys, with high surface area and a porous structure for reactant transport. The films are prepared in the group of Dr. Volker Brüser at the INP Greifswald by alternating magnetron sputtering of a noble and a non-noble component and subsequent acid leaching of the non-noble component. We test the catalytic performance as well as the stability of the nanoporous metal alloy films. Using synchrotron radiation, the films are characterized ex-situ and in-situ by X-ray absorption measurements (collaboration with Prof. Mehtap Oezaslan, Oldenburg).
Development of Improved Experimental Instrumentation
Electrochemical cells with improved reactant mass transport
Mass transport is a key issue in electrocatalysis. The measured reaction rate is influenced by the “kinetics” (this we would
like to extract) as well as mass transport. In academic electrocatalysis research the reactant is usually dissolved in the liquid
electrolyte. In case of gaseous reactants such as oxygen or carbon dioxide due to the low gas solubility in the electrolyte, mass transport
can significantly influence the measured reaction rates. Thus, the kinetics can only be investigated in a very limited potential range where
small reaction rates occur.
To improve mass transport in electrochemical cells, we designed, tested and applied two cell types. A pressurized rotating disk electrode
(RDE) cell and a gas diffusion electrode cell. These cells are applied for kinetic measurements avoiding or limiting mass transport issues.
- ; Design and Application of External Reference Electrode for Kinetic Studies at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures;
- ; Rotating disk electrode system for elevated pressures and temperatures;
- ; Gas diffusion electrode setup for catalyst testing in concentrated phosphoric acid at elevated temperatures;
- ; Design and test of a flexible electrochemical setup for measurements in aqueous electrolyte solutions at elevated temperature and pressure;