UNS:Adsorbed water on Transition metal oxide: Doping, Defects and Electrochemistry

在许多自然和人为系统中，水是无处不在的参与者或旁观者。然而，它与表面的相互作用还没有被很好地理解，而且经常被忽视。这项研究为水与过渡金属氧化物表面相互作用的方式提供了详细的分子尺度的见解，特别是因为它与催化剂和电化学装置的设计和功能有关。PI还利用她在电化学方面的知识，让各级学生了解太阳能电池、环境修复和智能窗户等可持续技术。整个项目的目标是了解水和金属氧化物表面之间相互作用的本质，特别是在这种相互作用中缺陷的作用。将采用四方面的实验方法：1)确定相互作用是否具有电化学性质；2)探测吸附在固体界面上的水的氢键结构变化；3)了解水诱导的缺陷如何影响氧化还原对；4)测量与水吸附相关的电性能变化。将采用几种先进的表征技术，包括高分辨率和频率产生光谱，原位光致发光光谱和紫外光电子能谱。由此产生的理解将在天体物理学、矿物学、水文学、催化和可持续技术等各个领域得到应用。关于后者，PI开发了一门新课程，教授与可持续能源技术相关的电化学和固态物理的基本方面，并通过能源研讨会、夏令营和互动动手演示模块向K-12学生提供简化的方面。

Chakrapani, 1511733Water is a ubiquitous participant or bystander in many devices and both natural and man-made systems. Yet, its interactions with surfaces are not well understood and are frequently overlooked. This study provides detailed molecular-scale insight into the ways that water interacts with transition metal oxide surfaces particularly as it relates to the design and function of catalysts and electrochemical devices. The PI also uses her knowledge of electrochemistry to engage students at all levels in understanding sustainable technologies such as solar cells, environmental remediation and smart windows. The overall project goal is to understand the nature of interactions between water and metal oxide surfaces, especially the role of defects in such interactions. A fourfold experimental approach will be used to 1) determine if the interactions are electrochemical in nature, 2) probe structural changes in hydrogen bonding of water adsorbed at the solid interface, 3) understand how water-induced defects influence redox couples, and 4) measure the changes in electrical properties associated with the adsorption of water. Several advanced characterization techniques will be employed, including high-resolution sum-frequency generation spectroscopy, in situ photoluminescence spectroscopy, and UV photoelectron spectroscopy. The resulting understanding will have application in areas as diverse as astrophysics, mineralogy, hydrology, catalysis, and sustainable technologies. With regard to the latter, the PI has developed a new course which teaches the fundamental aspects of electrochemistry and solid-state physics related to sustainable energy technologies, with simplified aspects made available to K-12 students via energy workshops, summer camps, and an interactive hands-on demo module.