We are happy to welcome Professor John Irvine from St. Andrews University. John Irvine has made a unique and world-leading contribution to the science of energy materials, especially fuel cell and energy conversion technologies. This research has ranged from detailed fundamental to strategic and applied science and has had major impact across academia, industry and government. Irvine’s science is highly interdisciplinary extending from Chemistry and Materials through physics, bioenergy, geoscience, engineering, economics and policy.

We hereby would like to invite you to join his talk.

When? Tuesday 29 November 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

About? Materials at the Edge – Exsolution Chemistry Tuning Functionality

Where?  TUM International Energy Research, TUM Garching, Chemistry Department, Orange Tower, 4th floor, Room No. 46220

or via Zoom: https://tum-conf.zoom.us/j/65607471138?pwd=UVZPR2x6YTI2aEFlcVJVY1F0U0lhUT09

Meeting ID: 656 0747 1138

Passcode: 962030

Abstract of his talk:

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

We also present the growth of a finely dispersed array of anchored metal nanoparticles via electrochemical poling on an oxide electrode, yielding a sevenfold increase in fuel cell maximum power density.  Both the nanostructures and corresponding electrochemical activity show no degradation over 150 hours of testing. These results not only prove that in operando treatments can yield emergent nanomaterials, which in turn deliver exceptional performance, but also provide proof of concept that electrolysis and fuel cells can be unified in a single, high performance, versatile and easily manufacturable device. This opens exciting new possibilities for simple, quasi-instantaneous production of highly active nanostructures for reinvigorating Solid oxide cells during operation.