Project Details
Projekt
Multi-purpose X-ray Diffractometer
Subject Area
Chemical Solid State and Surface Research
Term
Funded in 2021
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 462624117
The applied-for multi-purpose X-ray diffractometer enables the utilization of multiple advanced in situ/operando X-ray scattering techniques towards understanding the structure/morphology of energy-related materials and their evolution during operation. This is enabled by the instrument’s state-of-the-art components and flexibility to efficiently change the configuration. Such an instrument consists of the following main components: Interchangeable Cu- and Mo- X-ray source, several primary beam optics, 4-cirlce diffractometer, secondary beam optics, and 2D detector. The instrument includes instrument control and data acquisi¬tion/processing/analysis software.The applicant is tenure-track Juniorprofessor in the Chemistry Department of the University of Paderborn (UPB) since 04/20. This proposal is related to the applicant’s appointment negotiations with the UPB. The applicant’s current research interests are centered on mechanisms and processes in energy storage, energy transformation, and water purification science, topics which reside at the heart of the energy transition (Energiewende).Owing to the ever-increasing demand regarding performance metrics for modern materials, the underlying physics and chemistry is becoming increasingly complex. The applicant’s approach to tackle related scientific questions is of reductionist nature, in which the atomic scale structural and chemical properties of materials are investigated via employing well-defined model systems. The envisioned understanding of the functional role of each atom and molecule can only be achieved when the individual components of a complex system are isolated in model systems, which must allow for real-time investigations in environments natural to functional devices. Hence, particular focus lies on carrying out in situ/operando measurements. The applicant’s philosophy is that the obtained foundational knowledge is predictive and scalable, and can be utilized for rational bottom-up improvements of materials as fundamental insight can inspire novel concepts.Specific research topics to be tackled using the applied-for multi-purpose X-ray diffractometer include passivation of silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries, intrinsic stability of lithium-ion battery electrolytes and the relationship to the solid electrolyte interphase, structure of the electric double layer, ion transport in electrolytes, mechanisms of ion storage in desalination batteries, epitaxial thin films as model systems, and structure of liquid-liquid interfaces. The X-ray techniques will include reflectivity, crystal truncation rods, grazing incidence small- and wide-angle scattering, small angle scattering, powder diffraction, reciprocal space mapping, and 2D projection microscopy. Making use of a combination of recent developments in X-ray tubes, optics, and detectors, the applied-for instrument allows for such measurements, some of which could in the past only be performed using synchrotron radiation.
DFG Programme
Major Research Instrumentation
Major Instrumentation
Mehrzweck-Röntgendiffraktometer
Instrumentation Group
4010 Einkristall-Diffraktometer
Applicant Institution
Universität Paderborn
