Electrochemistry project in the Surfaces and Interfaces village

Electrochemistry relates to chemical processes involving electric current, i.e. the transport of electrons and ions. Experiments in the area of electrochemistry, such as research on batteries and corrosion, have been carried out at Diamond over the years at several beamlines. As this field is integral to understanding a number of fundamental processes, including photosynthesis, Diamond is presently enhancing its capabilities for studying electrochemistry in greater detail by bringing together several in-house and external groups in a single project. The project is establishing a research infrastructure and developing new equipment within the Surfaces and Interfaces village.

Physical Sciences Experimental Coordinator, Jörg Zegenhagen.

Researchers from University College London, Johannes Kepler University (Linz), Amity University (New Delhi), and UGCDAE Consortium for Scientific Research (Indore), are joining up with staff from beamlines across Diamond, and three new PhD students working specifically on the project.

One example of Diamond’s electrochemistry research is the conversion of solar energy to clean fuel as performed by plants. Using sunlight, environmentally friendly fuel such as hydrogen can be produced from water in a photo-catalytic reaction on a (semiconductor-oxide) surface exposed to water.

The group is also looking at developing the understanding and prevention of corrosion, which accounts for an annual financial loss of about 3% of the world’s GDP; approximately £1.5 trillion¹. With the combined expertise of the project partners, novel research is now underway to study the reaction processes at electrochemical interfaces using diffraction and spectroscopy techniques.

For more information on the electrochemistry project, please contact Physical Sciences Experimental Coordinator Jörg Zegenhagen: [email protected]

 

1. Hayes, G. Now is the time. The World Corrosion Organization (2013). http://corrosion.org/wco_media/nowisthetime.pdf. Accessed 11/1/16.