Research project: Hayden: Surface Electrochemistry
The development of surface electrochemical techniques now allows a study of adsorption and reaction at the interface of clean single crystal surfaces and a liquid electrolyte.
Project Overview
Single crystal surfaces are prepared, characterised using Medium Energy Ion Scattering (MEIS) and XPS, and modified with catalytic promoters in the UHV environment and transferred cleanly to the electrochemical environment. Here reactions such as hydrogen, CO and methanol electro-oxidation are being investigated in order to understand and improve the activity of fuel cell catalysts. The activity of surface nano-structures in promoting electrocatalysis is also being investigated combing STM with ex-situ electrochemical measurements.
