NOMATEN HYBRID-SEMINAR November 29: Preparation and activity analysis of nanomaterials with scanning electrochemical microscopy

Date
Date 2
Place
Online: https://www.gotomeet.me/NCBJmeetings/nomaten-seminar In-person: Proton 251 seminar room, PNT, NCBJ

NOMATEN HYBRID-SEMINAR

online: https://www.gotomeet.me/NCBJmeetings/nomaten-seminar
In-person: Proton 251 seminar room, PNT, NCBJ

Tuesday, NOVEMBER 29th  2022 13 CET

Preparation and activity analysis of nanomaterials with scanning electrochemical microscopy

Dr. Wojciech Nogala
Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw, Poland.

 

Abstract:

     Nanostructured metallic catalysts are usually obtained by homogeneous synthesis. Then one needs to apply capping agents to stop the growth of nanostructures and prevent their aggregation. Capping agents affect the catalytic properties of such prepared nanostructures by hindering access of reactants to the catalyst surface. Electrochemical methods allow the direct synthesis of nanostructures immobilized on electrodes without sapping agents.

     We employed scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to prepare bare metallic nanostructures (Au, Cu, Ag) directly by localized electrorefining of polycrystalline metal. By changing the physicochemical parameters of the process, one can tailor the size and shape of obtained nanostructures. Besides electrocatalytic properties towards reduction of oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen evolution, bare gold nanostructures can be used as supports for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

     SECM is also powerful for imaging of activity of heterogeneous catalysts. However, mapping of rough surfaces is demanding because the recorded signal depends on tip-to-sample distance. We developed a method of simultaneous mapping of activity and topography with nanoelectrode tips and mapping of pH near solid surfaces.

 

Bio:

Wojciech Nogala is working in electrochemistry since 2005. In his academic journey, he had an opportunity to explore several aspects of this branch of science. Starting with an analysis of solid oxide fuel cells, following through enzymatic cathodes for fuel cells, catalysis and ion transfer across a liquid-liquid interface, gas diffusion electrodes, nucleation and growth of metallic nanostructures for electrocatalysis and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, voltammetric nanosensing of pH, electroactuation, materials for sodium ions intercalation, supercapacitors and redox charging at voltages beyond water electrolysis. Besides his intrinsic interest in energy conversion, Wojciech Nogala is focused on understanding the processes at the nanoscopic level and analyzing them at the edge of their detection, especially with nanoelectrodes and scanning electrochemical microscopy.

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This project has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation
programme under grant agreement No 857470 and from European Regional Development Fund
via Foundation for Polish Science International Research Agenda PLUS programme grant
No MAB PLUS/2018/8.
Poland
The project is co-financed from the state budget within the framework of the undertaking of the Minister of Science and Higher Education "Support for the activities of Centers of Excellence established under Horizon 2020".

Grant: 5 143 237,70 EUR
Total value: 29 971 365,00 EUR
Date of signing the funding agreement: December 2023

The purpose of the undertaking is to support entities of the higher education and science system that have received funding from the European Union budget in the competition H2020-WIDESPREAD-2018-2020/WIDESPREAD-01-2018-2019: Teaming Phase 2. in the preparation, implementation and updating of activities, maintenance of material resources necessary for carrying out activities, acquisition and modernization of scientific and research apparatus, maintenance and development of personnel potential necessary for the implementation of activities, and dissemination of the results of scientific activities.