atomic force microscop coupled with Raman spectrometer (Raman-AFM)

• Subject Area: Chemical Solid State and Surface Research
• Term: Funded in 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 460605434

Raman-AFM is a state-of-the-art research instrument which combines both surface-sensitive techniques, namely atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy in a unique manner. The here proposed Raman-AFM allows investigating co-localized information of surface chemistry and surface structure of electrode materials and composites on the nano scale. We want to employ the Raman-AFM for fundamental understanding of electrocatalytic processes. Generally, electrochemical reactions occur at the interface between electrolyte and electrode surface. The use of Raman-AFM enables to detect adsorbed surface species or chemical and morphological changes of the electrode surface, e.g. cathodic reduction of metal oxides, as a function of the potential applied. On the other hand, conductive AFM measurements can be applied to correlate the topographic information of the electrode surface with the spatial distribution of ionomers, which strongly influences the catalytic performance in a fuel cell and electrolysis. Our aim is to link the spatial surface properties of the electrode materials or composites with the operating conditions of a fuel cell or electrolysis. Definitely, this unique and advanced combination of both surface-sensitive techniques provides deeper insights into the material and catalytic properties so far. Raman-AFM is rarely used in the today´s electrocatalysis community due to its high complexity and large technical efforts. Further development and methods for the use of this advanced combination is required to explore the surface chemistry and surface structure at the electrolyte/electrode interface in detail. Our inquires show several companies and their approaches to combine both techniques for spatial and chemical investigations in field of electrocatalysis.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Rasterkraftmikroskop gekoppelt mit einem Raman-Spektrometer (Raman-AFM)
• Instrumentation Group: 5091 Rasterkraft-Mikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Braunschweig
• Leader: Professorin Dr. Mehtap Özaslan