Monthly Seminar 25.11.15

You are warmly invited to attend the Advanced Materials Research Group monthly seminar on 25th November 2015. 

Guest Speaker: Professor John T.S. Irvine FRSE, FRSC  

Title: Nanomaterials at the edge: Perovskite Exsolutions

Abstract: Understanding and controlling the processes occurring at electrode/electrolyte interface are key factors in optimising fuel cells and electrolysers. Metal particles supported on oxide surfaces promote many of the reactions and processes that underpin the global chemical industry and are key to many emergent clean energy technologies. At present, particles are generally prepared by deposition or assembly methods which, although versatile, usually offer limited control over several key particle characteristics, including size, coverage, and especially metal-surface linkage. In a new approach, metal particles are grown directly from the oxide support though in situ redox exsolution. We demonstrate that by understanding and manipulating the surface chemistry of an oxide support with adequately designed bulk (non)stoichiometry, one can control the size, distribution and surface coverage of produced particles.

We also reveal that exsolved particles are generally epitaxially socketed in the parent perovskite which appears to be the underlying origin of their remarkable stability, including unique resistance of Ni particles to agglomeration and to hydrocarbon coking, whilst retaining catalytic activity.