Better Data Promise Better Catalysts

Figure 2. Artist's rendition of reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ at electrode shows x-rays (blue beam) irradiating surface from which photoelectrons escape. Source: University of Nottingham."It wasn't easy and we had phenomenal problems. We could do the electrochemistry in the vacuum and we could measure the spectra of ionic liquids — but to do both at the same time has been a real uphill struggle — but now we have cracked it," Details on the experiments appear in Chemical Communications.The next steps are to make the measurements easier to carry out and then to investigate other well-understood redox couples to further validate the system, he adds."We are using the in situ technique to study on a fundamental level the electronic structure of solution catalysts. We can use this data, in conjunction with laboratory data, to design better and more efficient catalyst. Essentially our technique closes a loop in a feedback mechanism — i.e., we can provide a direct feedback mechanism to electronic structure, allowing more efficient 'intelligent design' of new materials," he notes."The experiments carried out so far have proved the concept and shown that we can make the technique work," says Licence. "We are now looking at metal deposition/solution reactions and electron transfer vectors with an aim to study energy capture devices and electrochemically driven processes."