The Electrochemistry Group
Ongoing Research
Electrocatalysis
Metal Nano-Heterostructures in Electrocatalysis
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| 3D AFM image of Au nanoparticles |
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Metal nanoparticles are being widely investigated for use in electrocatalysts due to their increased active surface area. María Montes de Oca Yemha has recently completed her PhD thesis, investigating the ability of Au-Pd core-shell structures to oxidise CO and formic acid, as well as hydrogen production and storage. The Electrocatalytic properties of such a system may be tuned by varying the Pd shell thickness, with applications in developing fuel cell technologies. This work is part of COST Action D36.
Sponsor
| COST - Action D36 |  |
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CO2 Reduction
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| Catalytic Nanoparticles |
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This joint project aims to remove CO2, one of the main greenhouse gases, from the atmosphere, by trapping it and transforming it into useful organic molecules. The idea is to design a safe and environmentally friendly process for the capture and conversion of carbon dioxide. Daniela Plana is working on the development of catalysts based on Cu nanostructures and the design of electrodes which include metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), in order to trap carbon dioxide near the copper surface. The use of light to power the electrochemical process, through an external solar device or the incorporation of photocatalytic compounds directly into the system, will also be investigated later in the project. This research is part of an EPSRC Grand Challenge, in collaboration with UWE and the University of Bath.
Sponsor
| CO2 Chem |  |
EPSRC |  |
Diamond Particle Electrochemistry
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| SEM image of nanodiamonds |
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Diamond has remarkable physical properties including extremely high heat resistance and hardness. Although undoped diamond is an extremely good insulator, hydrogen-terminated diamonds have conducting surfaces. Wiphada Hongthani has made extensive investigations into the electrochemical properties of commercially available small diamond particle arrays. The use of such small diamond particles as a support for catalysts is being investigated, with promising results.
Sponsor
Royal Thai Government
Semiconductor Photoelectrochemistry
QD synthesis and characterisation
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| CVs of Gold electrodes modified by quantum dots |
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Semiconductor nanocrystals, so called Quantum Dots, are widely investigated for use in photovoltaic devices. Key to assembling an efficient device is accurate knowledge and control of the valence and conduction band edges at the surface. Band Edges are modified by the presence of ligand molecules used to stabilise quantum dots and bind them to a photoelectrode. Gabriela Kissling has carried out investigations into electron transport across Self-Assembled-Monolayers mediated by Quantum Dots. As a model system, she has also investigated the effect ligand molecules have on the band edges of CdTe and CdSe single crystals. Bo Hou is researching how the position of the band edge of CdTe, CdSe and CdTexSe1-x quantum dots may be controlled by modifying particle size or alloy composition. This research is part of the EPSRC SUPERGEN excitonic solar cell consortium, with the aim of developing a tandem photovoltaic device
Sponsor
| Swiss National Science Foundation |  |
EPSRC | |
SUPERGEN |  |
ZnO nanorods as photoelectrodes
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| SEM image of ZnO nanorods |
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ZnO nanorods are being widely investigated as electrodes for various photovoltaic devices. Christa Bünzli has used electrochemical methods to characterise such nanorod arrays, including their doping density, band edge postions and depletion layer. Additionally she has experimented with sensitising the rods using quantum dots. David Parker is working on an alternative means of sensitisation, electrodepositing CdSe and CdTe layers onto the rods to make an Extra-Thin Absorber Cell.
Sponsor
| Swiss National Science Foundation | |
EPSRC | |