However, nanoparticles tend to agglomerate over time at elevated temperatures which reduces their catalytic activity (Figure 1a). Exsolution is a novel method for direct growth of nanoparticles from an oxide support, and these nanoparticles show excellent performance and lifetime since they are strongly anchored to the oxide support.1
Figure 1: Schematic illustration of conventional deposition of nanoparticles compared to exsolution from A-site deficient perovskites.
Activities and methods
Projects can involve combinations of the following activities and methods. Get in touch for an informal chat about specific projects that suits your interests!
- Synthesis of new exsolution perovskites using solid state reaction synthesis
- Nanoparticle imaging using SEM or STEM (in collaboration with Structure Physics)
- Characterization of materials and nanoparticles by XRD, XPS, STM, etc.
- Electrochemical characterization of electrodes with exsolved nanoparticles
- Thin film deposition using combinatorial PLD (in collaboration with SOLARIS)
- Atomistic simulations using density functional theory (DFT)
Collaboration
Projects will be connected to on-going activities within UiO Sustainability and SOLARIS. Co-supervisors from other groups will be included depending on the main methods.
Main supervisor
Associate professor Jonathan Polfus
References
- Kousi, K., Tang, C., Metcalfe, I. S. & Neagu, D. Emergence and Future of Exsolved Materials. Small 17, e2006479 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202006479