Materials- and Electrochemistry
We investigate interfacial processes to elucidate reaction pathways and mechanisms that take place at the solid/liquid interface during electrochemical energy conversion and storage processes. The research approach of the group is based on the development and application of in-situ and ex-situ analysis techniques, which are applied to systems with increasing complexity, ranging from single-crystalline model electrodes investigated under idealized conditions to more complex but well-defined nanostructured materials that could be applied in real fuel and electrolyzer cell or battery environments.
News
"The ongoing burning of fossil fuels to meet the growing energy demand has brought the world to the brink of a climate crisis. In this excellence cluster, researchers are working to create new technologies for efficient energy conversion and storage, paving the way towards a society free of fossil fuels. Key to this effort is the storage of renewable energies in recyclable energy carriers: water can be split into hydrogen and oxygen, and even CO2 can be transformed into valuable products - including climate-neutral substitutes for natural gas and oil.
Nanocatalysts are being developed in the excellence cluster, which enable chemical reactions to occur quickly and reliably. Expertise from various fields such as surface chemistry, surface physics, materials science, and computer simulation is being combined for this purpose. The excellence cluster is therefore taking an important step towards climate neutrality.
"It's 5 minutes past 12! The energy transition can only be achieved if the best minds in materials research work together to develop innovative ways to store renewable energies in a climate-neutral way. The excellence cluster is Austria's important contribution to meeting this global challenge," said Günther Rupprechter, Director of Research, about the new excellence cluster."
Contact
Institut für Physikalische Chemie
Josef-Möller-Haus
Innrain 52c
A - 6020 Innsbruck
Österreich
Head of institute
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Chem. Dr.
Julia Kunze-Liebhäuser
Secretary
Claudia Fabian
+43-512-507-58199