Collaborative Research: EAGER: Measuring the Kinetics of Gas-Generating Electrolysis through the Collective Modes of Bubble Evolution

该项目将包括技术开发和探索性研究，以研究电极界面气泡形成的机制和动力学，以及它们对与太阳能燃料生产相关的水相电解和光电化学反应的影响。最先进的x射线和光学散射技术将与数据分析方法和新型催化剂合成技术相结合，以前所未有的时间和空间分辨率将气泡演化模式与催化活性联系起来。由此产生的理解将有助于优化分层结构光催化装置的设计，以有效地将丰富的资源（如水和二氧化碳）转化为可持续能源未来所需的太阳能燃料。该研究将利用高速显微镜和散射实验来发展对电解和光解气泡演化的统计理解。x射线显微镜数据将用于开发气泡生长，合并和脱离连续和图案电催化界面的模型。该模型将通过显微镜测量和光散射测量的图像分析来了解从电极演化而来的气泡之间的相关性。本研究旨在开发一种方法学方法，通过对启发式系统（如TiO2光催化剂和Si上的Pt电催化剂）的互易空间测量来研究催化作用。最终目标是利用气泡相关光谱作为一种通用技术，结合催化剂结构的精确合成，最大限度地减少气泡干扰对太阳能燃料催化的影响。除了推进关键的可持续燃料技术外，该项目还将为本科生和研究生提供先进光谱方法、数据分析技术和催化剂合成方面的跨学科培训，并为高中生和本科生提供一个高度跨学科的环境，让他们学习如何在团队中工作，以推进科学知识。

The project will involve technique development and exploratory research to examine the mechanism and dynamics of gas bubble formation at electrode interfaces and their effects on aqueous-phase electrolysis and photoelectrochemical reactions related to solar fuel production. State-of-the-art x-ray and optical scattering techniques will be combined with data analytic methods and novel catalyst synthesis techniques to relate modes of bubble evolution to catalytic activity at unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. The resulting understanding will aid in optimizing the design of hierarchically structured photocatalytic devices for efficient conversion of abundant resources such as water and carbon dioxide to solar fuels needed for a sustainable energy future. The research will utilize high speed microscopy and scattering experiments to develop a statistical understanding of electrolytic and photolytic bubble evolution. X-ray microscopy data will be used to develop a model for bubble growth, coalescence, and detachment from continuous and patterned electrocatalytic interfaces. This model will inform the understanding of measurements of correlations between gas bubbles evolving from electrodes using image analysis from microscopy measurements and light scattering measurements. This research aims to develop a methodological approach for studying catalysis via reciprocal space measurements on heuristic systems such as TiO2 photocatalysts and Pt electrocatalysts on Si. The ultimate goal is to utilize bubble correlation spectroscopy as a general technique in combination with precision synthesis of catalyst structures to minimize the impact of bubble interference on solar fuels catalysis. In addition to advancing critical sustainable fuels technology, the project will provide undergraduate and graduate students with cross-disciplinary training in advanced spectroscopic methods, data analysis techniques, and catalyst synthesis, as well as providing a highly interdisciplinary environment for high school and undergraduate students to learn how to work in a team to advance scientific knowledge.