Correlative Operando Studies of Degradation Mechanisms in Electrocatalysis

About

I am YESP member Dr.-Ing. Birk Fritsch and currently working as a postdoc in the team Nanoanalysis of Electrochemical Processes led by Andreas Hutzler at Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (IET-2) on creating a joint understanding of electrocatalysis degradation phenomena. To do so, I harness liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM). LP-TEM cannot only film chemical reactions at the nanoscale, but also triggers radical chemistry that can mimic harsh chemical conditions. Combined with correlative techniques and kinetic simulations, I aim to unveil degradation mechanisms in electrochemical devices such as electrolyzers or fuel cells.

Research Topics

  • Understanding and handling of beam effects during in situ and operando studies using ionizing radiation
  • Liquid phase transmission electron microscopy for evolution and degradation of energy materials
  • Understanding structure-function relationships of electrochemical components
  • Automated data analysis solutions for applied electrochemistry

To learn more about my research topics, you can watch the recording of my presentation at Science online+ (in German).

Contact

Dr.-Ing. Birk Fritsch

IET-2

Building HIERN-Cauerstr / Room 4009

+49 9131-12538109

E-Mail

Dr.-Ing. Birk Fritsch at Science Online+: "I See What You Do Not See: Filming Chemical Reactions" - (Recording in German)

As part of the Young Excellent Scientist Program (YESP), Dr.-Ing. Birk Fritsch presented his research in the format Science online+.

More Information

Team Nanoanalysis of Electrochemical Processes

Understanding the mechanisms that alter nanostructures during electrochemical processes is crucial to develop electrolyzer and fuel cell technology. With this knowledge it is possible to enhance efficiency, resilience, and durability of the devices. Scaling those up allows to efficiently use hydrogen technology to store renewable energy. To do so, Andreas Hutzler’s team employs scale-bridging, correlative analysis methods covering full-stack analysis, in situ degradation studies, modeling, and operando liquid phase electron microscopy.

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HI ERN Electrocatalysis Department

The research department “Electrocatalysis” of Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy, led by Karl Mayrhofer, focuses on electrochemical reactions that occur at solid-liquid interfaces and are relevant to electrochemical energy conversion (fuel cells, water, or CO2 electrolyzers etc). Reactions of interest are: oxygen evolution, oxygen reduction, carbon dioxide reduction and others. The focus is placed on finding active, selective and stable electrode materials for such reactions and thereafter the integration to real systems.

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Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HI ERN)

The Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HI ERN) investigates and develops material- and process-based solutions for a climate-neutral, sustainable, and cost-effective utilization of renewable energies. The institute works on the structural and functional characterization, modeling, and processing of materials relevant to hydrogen and solar technology. The common goal is the understanding of structure-performance-process relationship on the mesoscale.

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Understanding the mechanisms that alter nanostructures during electrochemical processes is crucial to develop electrolyzer and fuel cell technology. With this knowledge it is possible to enhance efficiency, resilience, and durability of the devices. Scaling those up allows to efficiently use hydrogen technology to store renewable energy. To do so, Andreas Hutzler’s team employs scale-bridging, correlative analysis methods covering full-stack analysis, in situ degradation studies, modeling, and operando liquid phase electron microscopy.

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Last Modified: 16.12.2024
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