Probing the Oxide Interface Structure under Reaction Conditions by Operando Surface X-Ray Diffraction (B10*)

• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 388390466

The new project B10(N) investigates Co3O4 and metal-doped MxCo3–xO4 oxide interfaces in liquids under conditions of catalytic oxidation reactions for 2-propanol and ethylene glycol oxidation by operando surface X-ray diffraction studies of epitaxial thin films. Atomic-scale changes in the surface and bulk structure of the film are monitored with sub-second time resolution. This enables to detect reaction-induced dynamic surface transformations as well as irreversible structural changes, which will shed light on the catalytic reactions and the catalysts degradation mechanisms. Measurements are performed for electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation at various temperatures as well as for liquid-phase thermal oxidation catalysis.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 247: Heterogeneous Oxidation Catalysis in the Liquid Phase – Mechanisms and Materials in Thermal, Electro-, and Photocatalysis
• Applicant Institution: Ruhr-Universität Bochum
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Olaf Magnussen