Electrocatalysis
To meet the ever-growing world needs for energy, as well as to reduce the impacts of atmospheric pollution related to widespread use of fossil fuels, the development of clean and efficient energy sources plays a crucial role in applied materials science.
Our group seeks to unravel the subtle interplay between nanoparticle-based electrocatalysts and different supports, looking for new strategies to improve efficiency and selectivity. Recently we have been applying biosynthesized nanomaterials as superior catalysts for electrochemical reactions. This methodology uses a green method to synthesize these materials; once grown, we then investigate them for their reaction activity for towards key catalytic reaction targets including the CO2 Reduction Reaction (CO2RR), Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) and Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER).
To understand the processes which take place at the surface of these electrocatalysts and to determine their electrocatalytic activity in different regions, our group uses scanning probe microscopy techniques including scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM).
Our group seeks to unravel the subtle interplay between nanoparticle-based electrocatalysts and different supports, looking for new strategies to improve efficiency and selectivity. Recently we have been applying biosynthesized nanomaterials as superior catalysts for electrochemical reactions. This methodology uses a green method to synthesize these materials; once grown, we then investigate them for their reaction activity for towards key catalytic reaction targets including the CO2 Reduction Reaction (CO2RR), Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) and Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER).
To understand the processes which take place at the surface of these electrocatalysts and to determine their electrocatalytic activity in different regions, our group uses scanning probe microscopy techniques including scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM).