Brotkrumenpfad
Functional Materials Group
Research
Renewable energy conversion and storage are relevant topics in applied research today, since the use of non-fossil energy sources is essential for the reduction of CO2 emissions. Solar and wind energy harvesting combined with chemical energy storage in batteries or fuels like hydrogen are essential processes, which need to be improved in efficiency, long-term stability and scalability. Our goal is to contribute to the development of cost effective scalable solutions for energy conversion and storage.
Latest Publications
Modified H2V3O8 to Enhance the Electrochemical Performance for Li‐ion Insertion: The Influence of Prelithiation and Mo‐Substitution
V sites in H2V3O8 were substiuted by Mo. The needle-shaped nanostructure was preserved combining a soft chemical synthesis approach with a hydrothermall process. Together with chemical prelithiation this modification lead to 40 % capacity increase (312 mAh g-1) and to improved stability with respect to H2V3O8.
Scaling Up Electrodes For Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
A scalable fabrication process for particle-based electrodes for solar water splitting was developed. Demonstrator-size photoanodes exhibited complex performance changes related to electrode size. Scale-up of photoelectrochemically active electrodes needs careful consideration in terms of size and device geometry.
Actualities
Breakthrough in solar water splitting
In May, 2020, Simone Pokrant published a comment in the Nature science magazine’s News & Views section with her view on a breakthrough in catalyst design by Takata et al. that might accelerate the development of large-scale processes for producing hydrogen from water using sunlight.
Nature is one of the most quoted science magazines with the highest impact factor in its category.
Her article can be found here.
The nature podcast corresponding to the work of Takata et al. is linked here.
We are pleased that the following students are currently writing their bachelor thesis with us:
| Students | Topic |
|---|---|
| Czternastek, Hubert | Vanadylphosphate as energy storage material for metal-ion-batteries |
| Huber, Andreas | Conductive networks for battery electrodes |
| Klammer, Peter | Fabrication of photoanodes by scaleable processes |
| Praxmair, Jakob | Improving the material properties of a photocatalyst for solar water splitting |
| Zern, Christoph | Hydrated vanadium oxides as energy storage material for Ion-batteries |
Once again, the student Cornelia Shtepani joined the group of Prof. Simone Pokrant as an intern in August, 2020. In context of the FFG student internship programme, she could experience a scientist's every day life and get further insight into the topic of preparation and characterization of photocatalysts for solar water splitting.
Article "Scaling Up Electrodes For Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting" On Frontcover Of "ChemSusChem"
Great success for the Functional Materials Group. Their article "Scaling Up Electrodes For Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting" (see section Latest Publications) was selected as front cover story in the science magazine "ChemSusChem". The magazine, released by the Wiley-VCH publishing house (Germany) on behalf of ChemPubSoc Europe, publishes scientific articles concerning interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry, material science, sustainability and energy. It has an impact factor of 7.7 and is ranked at place 18 of 157 magazines worldwide in the field of interdisciplinary chemistry.
