Structure-activity relationships in supported size-selected clusters under CO2 electro-reduction conditions
Dr. Juan Herranz / Prof. Dr. Thomas J. Schmidt (PSI/ETH Zurich)
Objectives
- To electrochemically test Pt-Pd and Pd-Bi bimetallic cluster systems with different nanoparticle structures, compositions and sizes
- To develop a novel electrochemical cell for in situ XAFS measurements of these and other materials in CATCHY
- To determine the structural and electronic properties of the deposited clusters of interest using in situ XAFS under CO2 electro-reduction conditions
- To correlate these results with those derived from the modelling of equivalent catalytic systems
Expected Results
- Design principles (i.e., structure, composition, particle size) for the preparation of bimetallic Pt-Pd and Pd-Bi catalysts for CO2-to-C1 electro-reduction, accompanied by greatly-needed spectroscopic/modelling insight regarding the effect of the d-band structure on the activity and selectivity of such catalysts
- Improved understanding of the reaction mechanisms and reactivity descriptors leading to each product.
- Potential implementation of the most interesting catalytic system(s) in device-relevant GDEs
Dissemination
- Catchy Outreaching Events
Planned Secondments
- VITO: training in industrial electrode design
- KUL: to fabricate cluster-decorated electrodes
- DTU: to exchange know-how on electrocatalyst characterization
Job Announcement
| PhD student in electrocatalysis and in situ / operando spectroscopy Your tasks: • The European Training Network CATCHY provides a concerted effort to design novel high-performance thermo- and electrocatalysts for the conversion of CO2 into added-value synthetic fuels. In this context, your work will focus on uncovering the relation between nanoparticle sizes / compositions and their product selectivity upon CO2-electroreduction. • Using samples prepared by network partners, you will participate in the design of the experimental setups allowing in situ / operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements of these materials, and perform such experiments at the Swiss Light Source. • You will actively interact with your colleagues at PSI’s Electrochemistry Laboratory and the Operando Spectroscopy group, as well as with the EU network partners. • Three 2 month secondments in the partners’ organizations are foreseen within the PhD project to get experience in complementary characterization techniques. Your profile: • You hold a university degree (MSc or equivalent) in chemistry, chemical engineering, material science or a related field. • You possess a knowledge of physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and /or electrochemistry. Experience in analytical methods (e.g., gas chromatography) and spectroscopy, as well as with radiation methods (X-ray diffraction, X-ray spectroscopy or imaging) are welcome assets. • You enjoy practical work using advanced instrumentation and like to conduct research in a team. Very good communication skills in English complete your application profile. • You will be registered as a PhD Student at ETH Zurich, under the guidance of Prof. Thomas J. Schmidt. |