Colocalized Spectroelectrochemistry at Electrode Surfaces
Identifying structure-activity correlations at electrochemical interfaces greatly benefit from simultaneously identifying materials properties AND local reactivity. Our combinations of Raman (and other laser based-methods) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) create new opportunities for elucidating total reactivity at the micro- and nanoscale.
Key results and exciting directions in our laboratory include:
- Combining Raman and SECM for the simultaneous imaging and tracking reactivity of graphene electrodes
- Exploiting SERS-SECM to trigger surface perturbations on materials
- Using Raman-SECM to titrate materials for redox-flow batteries and for characterizing mechanisms in electrocatalysis
- New plasmonic enhancements on graphene electrodes for electrochemical SERS
Automation and High-Throughput Electrochemistry
Electrochemical techniques generate information that is highly machine-friendly for artificial intelligence methods. Exploring new materials and new materials properties also greatly benefits from micro- and nano-scale characterization. Our group is pioneering approaches bolstered by small electrodes, integration with microfluidics, microfabrication, and integration with Python and robotics for addressing the materials challenges of the 21st century.
Key results and exciting directions in our laboratory include:
- Integration of microelectrochemistry, programming, robotics and fluidics in a new platform
- An automated method based on interdigitated array chips to estimate lifetimes of redox-active species
- A method for electrochemically screening dozens of thermocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide production
- A method for producing complex metal oxide catalysts using pre-programmed waveforms
- Check out our GitHub page for open-source software!
New Design Principles for 2D Electrochemical Interfaces
The atomic thickness of graphene makes it an intriguing material for electrode design. Our group has pioneered studies of outer-sphere electron transfer, electrocatalysis, and ion-insertion in ultrathin graphene electrodes by addressing a fundamental question: when do bulk and interface properties converge?
Key results and exciting directions in our laboratory include:
- The first layer-by-layer study of Li+ intercalation kinetics on graphene
- New strategies for ultra-fast intercalation of alkali ions for energy storage
- Novel design concepts using electrochemically and spectroscopically transparent electrodes
- Developing new spectroelectrochemical methods of analysis using graphene
- Extension of our methods to exciting new 2D materials
Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy for Batteries
We create new quantitative imaging methods for energy storage and electrocatalysis using the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM). The outstanding versatility of this instrument to capture the reactivity gives us a unique advantage to design advanced materials and interfaces and to explore creative solutions to unresolved questions in interfacial chemistry. In particular, the coupling of SECM with Raman spectroscopy has helped in the study of structure-reactivity relationship of various systems.
Key results and exciting directions in our laboratory include:
- The first Li+ flux imaging technique for ion batteries
- Multimodal SECM techniques, including SECM-Raman and SECM-X-ray.
- The in-depth exploration of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) properties
- Single-site, single-particle, and combinatorial imaging methods
- An SECM method to detect oxygen evolution from decomposing Li-ion battery cathodes
- New mechanistic exploration of methods to refurbish batteries
New Concepts in Photo- and Electro-Catalysis
We take a deep-dive into the relationships between electrode structure and reactivity. By introducing groundbreaking analytical platforms, advanced single-site and surface-sensitive imaging methods, and time-resolved, in-situ, and chemically-resolved measurements create new and unique knowledge that informs new strategies for superior catalysts.
Key results and exciting directions in our laboratory include:
- New methods, concepts, and theories for O2 and H2O2 (electro)catalysis
- Spatially-resolved methods for mapping a broad range of reactions
- Multi-modal methods for identifying and quantifying surface intermediates
- New platforms for mechano-electrochemistry and nano-electrochemistry
- Imaging of heterogeneity and single reacting sites
- A method to selectively detect hydroxyl radicals generated at electrodes in real time
- Bridging concepts between electro- and thermo-catalysis for hydrogen peroxide production and other reactions
New Frontiers in Redox-Active Polymers and Redox-Flow Batteries
We created a new type of redox-flow battery that is based on size-exclusion: energy-storing redox polymers act as energy carriers, enabling the use of highly efficient and inexpensive nanoporous membranes that have dramatically improved the performance of non-aqueous flow technologies.
Key results and exciting directions in our laboratory include:
- Electrochemical depolymerization reactions
- Single-particle electrolysis using nanoelectrodes
- Correlations between polymer structure and reactivity/stability
- The discovery of new redox-polyelectrolyte functions
- The characterization of new highly soluble polymers and particles
Opinions and Perspectives
We have highlighted our cutting-edge electrochemistry in several invited documents, opinion pieces, perspectives, and book chapters. We take pride in advancing, modernizing, and disseminating electroanalysis to ensure that the role of analytical chemistry remains strong in understanding the chemistry behind important developments in energy science.
Interested in our laboratory?
We are always interested in graduate students that are enthusiastic about electrochemistry, analysis, and energy materials. Please contact us regarding new postdoctoral opportunities as well!
Our group provides an exciting and motivating environment for scientific discovery and collaboration, both within researchers in the group and beyond. A strong emphasis will be placed in advising graduate students to think creatively, implement their ideas experimentally, and make use of computational modeling to test such ideas and independently generate more advanced ones.
See our group highlight in "Words of Wisdom", published in Chemical and Engineering News: