Technische Universität München
Professur für Funktionelle Nanomaterialien (Prof. Lechner)
Lichtenbergstr. 4
85748 Garching b. München
Functional Nanomaterials
Our research focusses on gaining a fundamental understanding of dynamic processes in functional nanomaterials. In heterogeneous catalysis, for example, the catalyst and support restructure continuously during a reaction. With movie-rate scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at elevated temperatures, near-ambient pressures and in different reactive gas atmospheres, we follow dynamic processes directly to investigate systematically the formation and decay of highly reactive particle structures and how such restructuring influences reactivity. Synchrotron-based X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to gain complementary information on chemical composition, oxidation and charge state. By using small size-selected metal clusters, we disentangle size effects and identify internally dynamic cluster sizes (see research overview).
Journal of Catalysis
Abstract: An unconventional reaction mechanism in an In2O3/Pd(1 1 1) inverse model catalyst for the CO2 hydrogenation reaction has been uncovered: In2O3 is partially reduced at room temperature in a reaction…
Faraday Discussions
Abstract: The current quest for new pathways into sustainable, efficient and durable energy conversion technologies makes the used for a fundamental understanding of the atomic-scale phenomena underlying…
Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Abstract: A key challenge for incorporation of oxide-based solid electrolytes into batteries remains the brittle nature of the ceramic, which makes scalable, low-cost fabrication of thin (<20 µm) separators…
ACS Catalysis
Abstract: Ceria has recently regained attention in catalysis research, thanks to its ability to reversibly form and redisperse supported, catalytically active Pt clusters through control of its surface…
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Abstract: Platinum particles on reducible oxides are known to form complex and highly dynamic catalyst systems at elevated pressures and temperatures, often adopting active structures that differ from those…
Surface Science
Abstract: Surfaces and interfaces of functional nanoscale materials are typically highly dynamic when employed at elevated temperatures. Both, lateral surface and vertical bulk exchange diffusion processes set…
Measurement Science and Technology
Abstract: Scanning probe microscopes (SPMs) give a unique atomic-scale insight into surface dynamics in different environments. To access fast dynamics, we have recently presented a FastSPM add-on module based…
Frontiers in Chemistry
Nanoscale
Abstract: The interaction of catalyst particles with reducible support materials can drastically change their reactivity. On rutile TiO2, processes like particle encapsulation (caused by the “strong…
ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Abstract: Ultrathin two-dimensional silica films have been suggested as highly defined conductive models for fundamental studies on silica-supported catalyst particles. Key requirements in this context are…
