Chemical Physics

Uncovering the Secrets of the Nanoworld

We research chemical reaction mechanisms under idealized conditions. To do this, we isolate clusters in high-resolution mass spectrometers and use lasers for spectroscopy and photochemistry. Using forces of approx. 1 nano-Newton, we force chemical reactions in individual polymer molecules with an atomic force microscope. We use these methods to explain phenomena such as the ageing of sea salt aerosols, the function of molecular catalysts, the occurrence of iron-containing molecules in space or polymeric functional materials.

Our research focuses on:

• Reactivity and photochemistry of clusters: We use salt clusters to simulate what happens in sea salt aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere; water clusters serve as nano test tubes for hydrogen evolution.
• Spectroscopy and reactivity of metal complexes in astrochemistry: Molecular ions such as FeH+ should occur in the interstellar medium. To find them, you need data from the laboratory.
• Single-molecule force spectroscopy of mechanophores: We measure, for example, functional materials that activate a catalyst under load.