Advanced X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies under both well-defined and in-situ conditions will be applied to investigate design parameters of model photoelectrodes for the production of CO2 neutral Solar Fuels. Mastering catalyst support interactions is crucial for designing efficient catalytic systems – even more in a photoelectrochemical device, where the catalyst support also plays the role of the light absorbing unit. Dynamic XPS under external bias will be used to study charging and decharging processes and dielectric properties of the photoactive multilayer systems. By lab as well as synchrotron based near ambient pressure XPS chemical changes, like oxidation state, adsorbate structure are accessible and can be studied in the presence of gas and vapor phase reactants (H2O, CO2). Relating these insights with (photo)electrochemical testing and fast transient absorption spectroscopy will result in optimal design parameters for multilayer photoelectrodes.
Project leader: Prof. Emiel Hensen