6.7 Materialsynthese und Design
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The performance of functional coatings relies strongly on the stability of the polymer-metal interface. The increasing utilization of multi-material structures in the automotive and aerospace industry necessitates a fundamental understanding of the processes leading to interface degradation for the development of novel strategies to increase corrosion and delamination resistance.
The aim of this project is to investigate the corrosion processes at the buried interface of thin film coated aluminium alloy AA2024-T3 under corrosive and coupled corrosive-mechanical load. A spin coating procedure was developed to synthesize epoxy-like coatings and their nanofiller loaded composites with controlled thickness by layer-by-layer deposition of poly[(o-cresyl glycidyl ether)-co-formaldehyde] and poly-(ethylenimine) bi-layers. Our results indicate that the incorporation of graphene into the epoxy-based coatings leads to the improvement of mechanical and barrier properties. Furthermore, the functional groups play important roles in the interfacial bonding between polymer matrix and the nanofillers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) results indicate very homogeneous and dense films with a thickness of ~25 nm per bi-layer and the successful integration of the nanofillers into the composite coatings. Ellipsometry measurements of film thickness verified a proportional film growth with the number of deposited layers.
The degradation and delamination behavior of the coating systems was characterized by means of in situ AFM corrosion experiments. Complementary energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis was used to correlate the corrosion and delamination behavior with the different intermetallic particle chemistries and distributions. The presentation will summarize our results on the effect of coating composition and build-up on the local corrosion processes on thin film covered AA2024-T3 aluminium alloys.
3D coherence scanning interferometry (CSI) is an optical, non-contact and rapide measurement technique using a defined bandwidth of white light at normal incidence. Based on this operational principle, white light interference microscopy (WLIM) provides three-dimensional surface topometry data up to a resolution of 0.4 μm lateral and 0.1 nm vertical. Three operating modi, i.e. surface, films and advanced films, enable measurements of step heights, roughness, wear volume, cone angle, surface pattern and layer thickness of transparent coatings.
The determination of layer thickness by WLIM requires the knowledge of optical constants, i.e.the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k. For technical surfaces, data base values - if available at all - have to be determined or validated by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). From this oblique incidence technique both optical constants and layer thickness can be derived based on a model for at least semi-transparent coatings. For different layer thicknesses, a
comparison is made between WLIM and SE. Measurement uncertainty is
discussed for both topometric features and layer thickness for different use cases.
Traceability to SI system is ensured by certified standards (PTB/NIST) within a DAkkS DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 accredited lab.
3D coherence scanning interferometry (CSI) is anoptical, non-contact and rapide measurement technique using a defined bandwidth of white light at normal incidence. White light interference microscopy (WLIM) providest here-dimensional surface topometry data up to a resolution of 0.4 µm lateral and 0.1 nm vertical. Three operating modi, surface, films and advanced films, enable measurements of step heights, roughness, wear volume, cone angle, surface pattern and layer thickness. Traceability to SI system is ensured by certified standards (PTB/NIST) within a DAkkS DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 accredited lab.
AbstractTwo‐photon polymerization (2PP) additive manufacturing (AM) utilizes feedstocks of ceramic nanoparticles of a few nanometers in diameter, enabling the fabrication of highly accurate technical ceramic design with structural details as small as 500 nm. The performance of these materials is expected to differ from conventional AM ceramics, as nanoparticles and three‐dimensional printing at high resolution introduce new microstructural aspects. This study applies 2PP‐AM of yttria‐stabilized zirconia to investigate the mechanical response behavior under compressive load, probing the influence of smallest structural units induced by the line packing during the printing process, design of sintered microblocks, and sintering temperature and thereby microstructure. We find a dissipative mechanical response enhanced by sintering at lower temperatures than conventional. The pursued 2PP‐AM approach yields a microstructured material with an increased number of grain boundaries that proposedly play a major role in facilitating energy dissipation within the here printed ceramic material. This microplastic response is further triggered by the filigree structures induced by hollow line packing at the order of the critical defect size of ceramics. Together, these unique aspects made accessible by the 2PP‐AM approach contribute to a heterogeneous nano‐ and microstructure, and hint toward opportunities for tailoring the mechanical response in future ceramic applications.
In well-annealed thin polymer films, with non-repulsive polymer/substrate interactions, an irreversibly adsorbed layer is expected to from. These adsorbed layers have shown greate potential for technological applications. However, their growth kinetics and molecular dynamics are still not fully understood. This is partly due to the hard accessibility of these layers in thin films. Here, the irreversibly adsorbed layers of homopolymer thin films are revealed by solvent-leaching experiments. First, the growth kinetics of these layers is investigated as a function of annealing time, annealing temperature, leaching time and the original filme thickness. The film thickness, topography and the quality of the adsorbed layer is controlled by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Secondly, the molecular mobility of the adsorbed layer is investigated by Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS). A recently developed nanostructured capacitor arrangement is employed to measure the layer with a free surface. The results are quantitatively compared and discussed with respect to recently published work.
In well-annealed thin polymer films, with non-repulsive polymer/substrate interactions, an irreversibly adsorbed layer is expected to from. These adsorbed layers have shown greate potential for technological applications. However, their growth kinetics and molecular dynamics are still not fully understood. This is partly due to the hard accessibility of these layers in thin films. Here, the irreversibly adsorbed layers of homopolymer thin films are revealed by solvent-leaching experiments. First, the growth kinetics of these layers is investigated as a function of annealing time, annealing temperature, leaching time and the original filme thickness. The film thickness, topography and the quality of the adsorbed layer is controlled by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Secondly, the molecular mobility of the adsorbed layer is investigated by Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS). A recently developed nanostructured capacitor arrangement is employed to measure the layer with a free surface. The results are quantitatively compared and discussed with respect to recently published work.
Der Mangel an Anwendungsrichtlinien und Validierungsverfahren für struktur-eingebettete faseroptische Dehnungssensoren, insbesondere auf Faser-Bragg-Gitter (FBG)-Basis, führte bislang dazu, dass diese Sensoren trotz ihrer hervorragenden Eigenschaften im Bereich der kommerziellen Material- und Strukturüberwachung nur in geringem Umfange eingesetzt wurden. Fragen zur Degradation der Sensoren unter Beanspruchung, Alterung durch klimatische Einflüsse und Enthaftung infolge Belastung der Struktur konnten bisher nur theoretisch simuliert oder anhand exemplarischer Proben für einzelne einflussnehmende Parameter im Labor untersucht werden. Die Erfassung des Sensorverhaltens im Bauteil unter komplexen Umwelteinflüssen während des Bauteilbetriebes, um damit eine Aussage zur Zuverlässigkeit der Sensormessdaten zu gewinnen, war bisher nicht möglich.
Im Forschungsprojekt FAMOS² wurde deshalb von 2014 bis 2018 die Realisierung eines Autodiagnoseverfahrens für faseroptische Dehnungssensoren erarbeitet, um die Funktionszuverlässigkeit und Langzeitstabilität der Sensoren während des Bauteilbetriebes innerhalb einer Bauteilstruktur bewerten zu können. Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes wurde gezeigt, dass ein FBG-Sensor mit einer speziell angepassten magnetostriktiven Schicht magnetisch so angeregt werden kann, dass mit einer zugeschnittenen Messmethodik zu jedem Zeitpunkt eine Bewertung der Sensorzuverlässigkeit unter Betriebsbedingungen möglich ist. Die auf den Sensor aufgebrachte magnetostriktive Schicht erzeugt bei Anregung mit einem passenden Magnetfeld eine gepulste, synthetische Dehnung. Diese Dehnung steht in einem definierten Verhältnis zum anregenden Magnetfeld und wird optisch über die Verschiebung der Bragg-Wellenlänge ausgelesen. Die Konstanz dieses Verhältnisses stellt dann ein Maß für die korrekte Funktionsfähigkeit des Sensors dar. Das Beschichtungs-verfahren, das magnetische Anregungs- und optische Ausleseverfahren, wie auch die Validierung des Sensors unter Berücksichtigung faseroptischer Effekte wurden während des Projekts konzeptionell entwickelt, aufgebaut und charakterisiert. Qualitativ kann mit diesem Verfahren zunächst eine Gut-/Schlecht-Beurteilung des Sensors vorgenommen werden. Perspektivisch bietet das Verfahren jedoch auch die Möglichkeit, verschiedene Versagensmechanismen bestimmen und klassifizieren zu können. Es zeichnete sich schon während des Projektverlaufs ab, dass sich aus den erzielten Ergebnissen über das Autodiagnoseverfahren hinaus weitere Anwendungsmöglichkeiten für den Einsatz des kombinierten magnetostriktiv-faseroptischen Sensorprinzips, beispielsweise als reiner Magnetfeldsensor, ergeben.
Nach Abschluss dieses Forschungsprojekts besteht nun die Möglichkeit, den Funktionszustand faseroptischer Dehnungssensoren jederzeit unabhängig von Alter, Belastung oder Kenntnis eines Referenzzustands zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt bestimmen zu können. Aufbauend auf diesen Ergebnissen können weiterführende Forschungen die Messmethodik vertiefend charakterisieren und weitere Anwendungsfälle erschließen.
Biofilms cause complications and high costs in both industry and medicine. Of particular interest are bacterial infections of prosthetic materials, which usually cannot be eliminated due to the high antibiotic resistance known for bacteria forming biofilms. The search for new materials and coatings with lower colonization potential and antibacterial activity is of great importance to reduce biofilm formation. However, there is no standardized procedure to examine the colonization characteristics of bacteria in the Biofilm state in situ. Here, we describe an automated epifluorescence microscopy system for the semi-quantitative analysis of three-dimensional (3D) biofilms on various surfaces. To analyze adherent bacteria, three materials (glass, steel and titanium) were incubated with bacteria in a flow chamber system. After fluorescence staining of the bacteria, automated image capturing, quantification of the bacteria, measurement of the colonized area and determination of the 3D biofilm height were carried out by using novel software.
Furthermore, the materials were examined for their surface topography using white light scanning interferometry. Titanium compared to glass showed a significantly higher number of adherent bacteria.
We argue that this was due to the higher microroughness of titanium. The colonized area was in accordance with the number of adherent bacteria and was also significantly larger on titanium coupons compared to glass. Maximum 3D biofilm height on glass coupons was significantly lower compared to the ones on steel and titanium. This novel method enables the standardized, automated investigation of the colonization with bacteria on different materials. This approach can considerably support the characterization of new material surfaces and their innovative coatings by analyzing the amount of attached Bacteria and thickness of biofilms in situ and eliminates the need of conventional cultivation.
Efficient water electrolysis requires highly active electrodes. The activity of corresponding catalytic coatings strongly depends on material properties such as film thickness, crystallinity, electrical conductivity, and chemical surface speciation. Measuring these properties with high accuracy in vacuum-free and nondestructive methods facilitates the elucidation of structure−activity relationships in realistic environments. Here, we report a novel approach to analyze the optical and electrical properties of highly active oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts via spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). Using a series of differently calcined, mesoporous, templated iridium oxide films as an example, we assess the film thickness, porosity, electrical resistivity, electron concentration, electron mobility, and interband and intraband transition energies by modeling of the optical spectra. Independently performed analyses using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, ellipsometric porosimetry, X-ray reflectometry, and absorption spectroscopy indicate a high accuracy of the deduced material properties. A comparison of the derived analytical data from SE, resonant photoemission spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with activity measurements of the OER suggests that the intrinsic activity of iridium oxides scales with a shift of the Ir 5d t2g sub-level and an increase of p−d interband transition energies caused by a transition of μ1-OH to μ3-O species.
Ellipsometry-based approach for the characterization of mesoporous thin films for H2 technologies
(2021)
Porous thin layer materials are gaining importance in different fields of technology and pose a challenge to the accurate determination of materials properties important for their function. In this work, we demonstrate a hybrid measurement technique using ellipsometry together with other independent methods for validation. Ellipsometry provides information about the porosity of different mesoporous films (PtRuNP/OMC = 45%; IrOx = 46%) as well as about the pore size (pore radius of ca. 5 nm for PtRuNP/OMC). In addition, the electronic structure of a material, such as intraband transitions of a mesoporous IrOx film, can be identified, which can be used to better understand the mechanisms of chemical processes. In addition, we show that ellipsometry can be used as a scalable imaging and visualization method for quality assurance in production. These require accurate and traceable measurements, with reference materials playing an important role that include porosity and other related properties. We show that our novel analytical methods are useful for improving analytical work in this entire field.
Porous materials play an important role in several fields of technology, especially for energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. The activity of porous films is affected by properties like porosity, film thickness, chemical composition of the material as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The complex morphology of such porous films constitutes a challenge even for modern analytical techniques and requires new approaches employing the combination/complementation of data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we characterize thin mesoporous iridium-titanium mixed oxide film properties by Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) at an SEM.
For the determination of porosity of Ir oxide thin films, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) can be used as part of a combined SEM/EDS/STRATAGem analysis. The mass deposition (in μg cm-2) of films was calculated with the analysis software STRATAGem via k-values measured with EDS. The average density of coated films was obtained from the mass deposition and the film thickness as measured by the cross-section SEM. The porosity was calculated by dividing the average film density by the bulk (theoretical) density of the film material.
Film porosities were counterchecked by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) using the Bruggeman effective medium approximation (BEMA).
The results obtained by both analytical approaches/methods used, SEM/EDS/STRATAGem and SE were in good agreement.
Hydrogen features a very high specific energy density and is therefore a promising candidate for clean fuel from renewable resources. Water electrolysis can convert electrical energy into storable and transportable hydrogen gas. Under acidic conditions, platinum is the most active and stable monometallic catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Yet, platinum is rare and needs to be used efficiently. Here, we report a synthesis concept for colloidal bimetallic platinum–ruthenium and rhodium–ruthenium nanoparticles (PtRuNP, RhRuNP) and their incorporation into ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) films. The films exhibit high surface area, good electrical conductivity and well-dispersed nanoparticles inside the mesopores. The nanoparticles retain their size, crystallinity and composition during carbonization. In the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), PtRuNP/OMC catalyst films show up to five times higher activity per Pt than Pt/C/Nafion® and PtRu/C/Nafion® reference catalysts.
Thin mesoporous metal oxide films are versatile and attractive candidates for several energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. Due to their high surface area and ordered pore structure, mesoporous metal oxides demonstrate higher activities. The performance of the porous films is affected by properties like size and shape of the mesopores as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The exact determination and metrological evaluation of the complex morphology of thin mesoporous films requires a new analytical approach employing to combined data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we present a novel evaluation procedure for spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) to analyse thin mesoporous iridium oxide films.
Mesoporous iridium oxide films were prepared via dip-coating of a solution containing a triblock-copolymer as structure directing agent and an iridium precursor in ethanol. Deposited films were calcined in air at temperatures between 300 and 600 °C. Their morphology was studied with SEM and an electron probe microanalysis (EPMA)and correlated via SE with a Bruggeman effective medium approximation (BEMA). The developed SE model described the film thickness as well as the porosity.
Figure 1a shows a top-view SEM image of mesoporous IrO2 film calcined at 375 °C. The image reveals that the films exhibit a well-ordered mesopore structure with an average pore diameter of 16 nm and a periodic distance between pore centres of 24 nm (FFT inset). Figure 1b is a parity plot of film thicknesses determined by cross-section SEM versus SE of IrO2 film samples prepared at different calcination temperatures. The porosity from the SE model is in good agreement to the porosity values obtained by EPMA.
The contribution will assess in detail the novel approach to analyse the morphology and porosity of thin metal oxide films with spectroscopic ellipsometry. Moreover, the advantages of the new developed approach will be discussed as well as combination of datasets from multiple measurements to development new methods for innovative energy technologies.
Thin mesoporous metal oxide films are versatile and attractive candidates for several energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. Due to their high surface area and ordered pore structure, mesoporous metal oxides demonstrate higher activities. The performance of the porous films is affected by properties like size and shape of the mesopores as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The exact determination and metrological evaluation of the complex morphology of thin mesoporous films requires a new analytical approach employing to combined data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we present a novel evaluation procedure for spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) to analyse thin mesoporous iridium oxide films. Mesoporous iridium oxide films were prepared via dip-coating of a solution containing a triblock-copolymer as structure directing agent and an Iridium precursor in ethanol. Deposited films were calcined in air at temperatures between 300 and 600 °C. Their morphology was studied with SEM and an electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and correlated via SE with a Bruggeman effective medium approximation (BEMA). The developed SE model described the film thickness as well as the porosity.
... The contribution will assess in detail the novel approach to analyse the morphology and porosity of thin metal oxide films with spectroscopic ellipsometry. Moreover, the advantages of the new developed approach will be discussed as well as combination of datasets from multiple measurements to development new methods for innovative energy technologies.
Thin mesoporous metal oxide films are versatile and attractive candidates for several energy applications like photovoltaics, electrolysis or batteries. Due to their high surface area and ordered pore structure, mesoporous metal oxides demonstrate higher activities. The performance of the porous films is affected by properties like size and shape of the mesopores as well as the crystallinity of the framework. The exact determination and metrological evaluation of the complex morphology of thin mesoporous films requires a new analytical approach employing to combined data of different analytical methods. In this contribution we present a novel evaluation procedure for spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) to analyse thin mesoporous iridium oxide films.
Mesoporous iridium oxide films were prepared via dip-coating of a solution containing a triblock-copolymer as structure directing agent and an iridium precursor in ethanol. Deposited films were calcined in air at temperatures between 300 and 600 °C. Their morphology was studied with SEM and an electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and correlated via SE with a Bruggeman effective medium approximation (BEMA). The developed SE model described the film thickness as well as the porosity.
...
The contribution will assess in detail the novel approach to analyse the morphology and porosity of thin metal oxide films with spectroscopic ellipsometry. Moreover, the advantages of the new developed approach will be discussed as well as combination of datasets from multiple measurements to development new methods for innovative energy technologies.
Rising energy demand and the impending climate change require the development of a sustainable, fossil-free fuel and chemical production on a global scale. Hydrogen production via water electrolysis will be a fundamental cornerstone in this endeavor. The activity and stability of respective electrode coatings strongly depends on the coating's properties, i.e. phase composition, crystallinity, electrical conductivity, accessible surface, wettability and many other factors. The key to the development of improved catalysts is a better understanding of the relations between their performance, stability and physicochemical properties. However, those relations can be complex, and are strongly influenced also by the reaction environment. Hence, operando analysis of the catalyst material during catalysis at realistic potentials and current densities is highly desirable. Yet, many analytical techniques cannot be applied in liquid environments at realistic potentials and current densities.
We propose environmental ellipsometric analysis in a dedicated electrochemical flow cell as a new method to evaluate gas evolution reactions operando under realistic working conditions. Figure 1 illustrates schematically the developed technique. Key factors to success are highly active model-type catalysts with template-controlled porosity, a suitable sample environment, a deep understanding of the spectroscopic method and respective model development, as well as concise cross validation with numerous other analytical techniques.
The method was developed and validated by analyzing a calcination series (300 - 600°C) of mesoporous templated IrOx films ex-situ and operando under oxygen evolution reaction (OER) conditions. The employed environmental electrochemical spectroscopic ellipsometric analysis (ECSE) revealed during OER the change of optical and electronic properties, i.e. the dielectric functions (real ε1 and imaginary part ε2), electrical and electronic properties such as resistivity (ρ) and band-to-band transitions (p-d band transitions). Film thickness and porosity were validated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray reflectometry (XRR) or ellipsometric porosimetry (EP), electrical and electronic properties by means of conductivity measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy. The electronic structures of the catalysts from valence electron energy loss spectra (VEELS) derived from the real (ε1) and imaginary part (ε2) of the dielectric function from SE measurements reveal a direct correlation with electrochemical activities in OER.
In the presentation reversible and irreversible potential-dependent changes of the catalyst properties during operation will be discussed along with the dynamics of gas formation, transport and dissolution at different potentials.
Rising energy demand and the impending climate change require the development of a sustainable, fossil-free fuel and chemical production on a global scale. Hydrogen production via water electrolysis will be a fundamental cornerstone in this endeavor. The activity and stability of respective electrode coatings strongly depends on the coating's properties, i.e. phase composition, crystallinity, electrical conductivity, accessible surface, wettability and many other factors. The key to the development of improved catalysts is a better understanding of the relations between their performance, stability and physicochemical properties. However, those relations can be complex, and are strongly influenced also by the reaction environment. Hence, operando analysis of the catalyst material during catalysis at realistic potentials and current densities is highly desirable. Yet, many analytical techniques cannot be applied in liquid environments at realistic potentials and current densities.
We propose environmental ellipsometric analysis in a dedicated electrochemical flow cell as a new method to evaluate gas evolution reactions operando under realistic working conditions. Figure 1 illustrates schematically the developed technique. Key factors to success are highly active model-type catalysts with template-controlled porosity, a suitable sample environment, a deep understanding of the spectroscopic method and respective model development, as well as concise cross validation with numerous other analytical techniques.
The method was developed and validated by analyzing a calcination series (300 - 600°C) of mesoporous templated IrOx films ex-situ and operando under oxygen evolution reaction (OER) conditions. The employed environmental electrochemical spectroscopic ellipsometric analysis (ECSE) revealed during OER the change of optical and electronic properties, i.e. the dielectric functions (real ε1 and imaginary part ε2), electrical and electronic properties such as resistivity (ρ) and band-to-band transitions (p-d band transitions). Film thickness and porosity were validated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray reflectometry (XRR) or ellipsometric porosimetry (EP), electrical and electronic properties by means of conductivity measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy. The electronic structures of the catalysts from valence electron energy loss spectra (VEELS) derived from the real (ε1) and imaginary part (ε2) of the dielectric function from SE measurements reveal a direct correlation with electrochemical activities in OER.
In the presentation reversible and irreversible potential-dependent changes of the catalyst properties during operation will be discussed along with the dynamics of gas formation, transport and dissolution
In the face of rising energy demand and the impending climate change the development of a sustainable, fossil-free fuel and chemical production is of global importance. One possible goal is the development of electrochemical conversion processes using catalysts. Porous materials play an important role in such energy applications. The key to the development of improved catalysts is a better understanding of the relations between their performance, stability and physico-chemical properties. However, the complex morphology of such catalysts constitutes a challenge even for modern analytical techniques.
Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) is a versatile method for studying material properties by using appropriate models (e.g. film thickness, optical and electronic properties). The fact that the material properties cannot be taken directly from the measured spectra, the developed models have to be validated. In a first step, the model for the ellipsometric fit studies of a calcination series of mesoporous iridium oxide films (300 – 600 °C) was investigated and validated with respect to their material properties. Moreover, the electronic structures of the catalysts reveal a direct correlation with electrochemical activities. The development of an environmental cell offers the possibility of investigations under real conditions. This will allow changes in the optical and electronic properties during the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction.
Hydrogen production via water electrolysis will be an essential cornerstone in development of sustainable, fossil-free fuel and chemical production on a global scale. The activity and stability of each catalyst is highly dependent on the properties of the coating, i.e., phase composition, crystallinity, accessible surface area, and many other factors. The key to developing improved catalysts is a better understanding of the relationships between their performance, stability, and physicochemical properties. However, these relationships can be complex and are also strongly influenced by the reaction environment. Therefore, operando analysis of the catalyst material during catalysis at realistic potentials and current densities is highly desirable. However, many analytical techniques cannot be applied in liquid environments at realistic potentials and current densities.
We propose environmental ellipsometric analysis in a dedicated electrochemical flow cell as a method to evaluate gas evolution reactions operando under realistic working conditions. Figure 1 illustrates schematically the developed technique. Key factors to success are highly active model-type catalysts, a suitable sample environment, and a deep understanding of the appropriate model development, as well as concise cross validation with numerous other analytical techniques.
The method was developed and validated by analyzing a calcination series (300 – 600 °C) of mesoporous templated IrOx films ex-situ and operando under oxygen evolution reaction (OER) conditions. The employed environmental electrochemical spectroscopic ellipsometric (ECSE) analysis revealed during OER the change of optical and electronic properties, i.e. the dielectric functions, resistivity and band-to-band transitions (p-d band transitions). Film thickness and porosity were validated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray reflectometry (XRR) or ellipsometric porosimetry (EP), electrical and electronic properties by means of conductivity measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy. The electronic structures of the catalysts from valence electron energy loss spectra (VEELS) derived from ε1 and ε2 from SE measurements reveal a direct correlation with electrochemical activities in OER.
In the presentation reversible and irreversible potential-dependent changes of the catalyst properties during operation will be discussed along with the dynamics of gas formation, transport and dissolution at different potentials.