Research activities

Research activities

TOPIC: Nanomaterials by design and operando studies of catalytic reactions for energy and environment applications

My research focuses on the design and development of nanomaterials as model nanocatalysts for the CO₂ hydrogenation reaction, a promising strategy for converting CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels. By employing a combination of synthetic, surface science, and characterization techniques, we investigate the structure of nanomaterials at the atomic scale and aim to unravel the fundamental mechanisms governing the CO₂ hydrogenation reaction and optimize the performance of nanocatalysts for this process.

   Key Research Activities:

1. Design of Model Nanocatalysts: We employ advanced synthesis techniques to create model nanocatalysts in various forms, including ultrathin films and nanoparticles with controlled size and shape. These nanocatalysts encompass a range of metal-oxides and bimetallic systems, including ZrO₂, In₂O₃, ZnO, Pt, Cu, and TiO₂.
2. Operando Investigation of Catalytic Reactions: Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques like scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), we investigate the catalytic reactions, particularly CO₂ hydrogenation, under operando conditions, enabling real-time monitoring of the catalyst's surface structure and reactivity.
3. Surface Science Expertise: The expertise in surface science provides tools to understand the intricate interactions between the nanocatalyst's surface and the reactants, which are crucial for optimizing catalyst performance.

  
Find out more:

1- https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MA00872J

2- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsnano.0c03366

3- https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.9b02883

4- http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C7NR07981H

5-  http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11244-015-0529-z