Merging thin film deposition by direct current sputtering (DCS) with in-situ heating (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) allows us to study the thermal stability of complex solid solution nanomaterials which are promising candidates for energy applications (e.g. oxygen reduction reaction).
Despite many studies in bulk alloys and thin films with thicknesses >100 nm, there is...
Methane is the main component of natural gas, being the simplest hydrocarbon that exists. Nevertheless, it is a very stable molecule (440 kJ·mol-1 are required to break a single C-H bond), therefore the development of highly active catalysts is required for methane conversion reactions. Different oxidizing agents for methane conversion can be chosen, such as oxygen for its oxidation to abate...
The unique electrical and magnetic properties of high temperature superconducting (HTS) materials have made them excellent candidates for the energy transition demands facing our society. However, their fabrication costs are high due to the need for km-long thick epitaxial films using thin film growth technologies. At ICMAB, we have developed a low-cost, high-throughput growth method that...
Ion-based devices such as batteries, fuel cells and electrolyzers will play a major role in the future carbon-free energy systems. Many efforts are being dedicated to find techniques that allow understanding interfacial and ion diffusion phenomena occurring during operation, as these are often limiting overall performance. All the developed characterization technique show different compromises...
Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have emerged as an exciting alternative to Li-ion batteries. However, the practical application of LSBs requires overcoming several challenges, including the electrical insulating character of sulfur and lithium sulfides, the severe volumetric variation during charge/discharge processes, the diffusion of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPS) intermediates, and the...
The SelOxCat group (https://seloxcat.com/group/) focus its attention in the design and preparation of molecular or colloidal systems and hybrid materials to be applied as redox catalysts in artificial photosynthesis. The group is particularly interested in the study, understanding and development of the key reactions for the cost-efficient production of renewable carbon-neutral fuels (H2,...
