Researchers at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Rub) and the University of Duisburg-Essen Have Developed A New Method of Depositing Catalyst Particles to Tiny Electrodes. It is inexpensive, simple and quick to perform.
In order to characterize catalysts and test their potential for various applications, researchers have to fix the party to electrodes so that they can then be examined, for examination, with transmission electron microscopy.
The New Method is Described by Dr. Tsvetan Tarnev and Professor Wolfgang Schuhmann from the Center for Electrochemistry at Rub with Steffen Cychy and Professor Martin Muhler, Rub Chables of Technical Chemistry, As Well as Professor Corina Andronescu, University of Duisburg-Essen, and Dr. From the Bochum Center for Solvation Science in the Journal Angewandte Chemie (A Universal Nano-Capillary Based Method of Catalyst Immobilization for Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy ").
WAFER-THIN ELECTRODES
IN ELECTRON Microscopy transmission, Tem for Short, A Thin Electron Beam is smell through the sample to observe the electrochemical processes tinging place at an electrode. In order for the beam to penetrate the structures, all sample components must be very think. The Diameter of the Electrode to Which the Catalyst is applied is therein tenly ten micro -grooves.
Depositing Catalyst Partis Drop by Drop
With Earlier Methods, The Catalyst Particles Were Either Distributed Evenly Throughout the Sample, Ie Even where they were not Needed, or Methods were used that could the Material. Both disadvantages are eliminated with the new method, which is based on scanning electrochemical cell microscopy.
The Researchers Fill A Glass Capillary with a liquid containing the catalyst party. They are approache the capillary to the electrode onto that the party are to be deposited. A Tiny Drop of the Particle Liquid Hangs at the Lower Opening of the Capillary.
The Researchers Approach the Capillary to the Electrode Until the Drop of Liquid Comes Into Contact with the Electrode and Closes an Electrical Circuit. This Automatically Stops The Approach, Preventing Damage to the Material. The scientists then retract the capillary, but the drop of liquid remains on the electrode.
This step can be repeated as often as required. Finlly, The Researchers Evaporate The Solvent So That Only The Catalyst Partis Remain, Which Are Now Fixed to the Electrode.
Following for Many Catalyst Materials
“Once the Methodology is establised, It Offers A Clean, Easy-to-Uuse and variable Way of Applying and Measuring A Large Number of Different Catalyst Materials Stably and Reproducibly on Liquid Cell Tem Chips,” Says Wolfgang Schuhmann.
Source: Ruhr-Universität-Bochum