Atomic Force Microscope for Studies at Solid Liquid Interfaces

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In this project, we propose the procurement of a high resolution atomic force microscope, dedicated to in-situ studies of catalytically and electrocatalytically active liquid/solid interfaces. The system shall be installed at the Erlangen Center for Interface Research and Catalysis of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. The instrument will serve as key instrumentation for the newly established Collaborative Research Center CRC 1452 Catalysis at Liquid Interfaces. In close cooperation with several research groups from chemistry, physics, materials science and chemical engineering, which contribute to the CRC, the instrument will allow performing fundamental structural investigations with atomic resolution of (electro)catalytic processes at the liquid/solid interface. Within the CRC 1542, we will use the planned instrument to advance new materials concepts associated with energy transformation and storage, the use of renewable energies, chemical storage of hydrogen, and energy-efficient catalysis. In specific, we aim to explore the anisotropic environment of liquid interfaces to create, tailor, and stabilize catalytically active sites with unique reactivity. The planned instrument will be a key facility to explore so-called Advanced Solid Catalysts with Ionic Liquid Layers, a materials concept which expands the use of supported ionic liquids (ILs) in catalysis to functionalised ILs and to electrocatalytic transfor-mations. Furthermore, the planned AFM will allow us to perform in-situ studies of Interface-Enhanced Supported Ionic Liquid Phases, a materials concept that creates active sites via interface-active molecular catalyst complexes. Finally, we will use the system to characterize so-called Supported Catalytically Active Liquid Metal Solutions, a new type of single atom catalysts. Providing insight at the atomic scale, the planned experimental system will help to push forward these emerging concepts for better selectivity, productivity, and robustness. The planned studies impose a number of specific requirements on the instrument. It will be essential to perform topographic analysis of solid/liquid interfaces with atomic resolution both on conductive and non-conductive supports. Furthermore, the studies must be performed in various liquid environments (e.g. ILs, aqueous electrolytes, organic solvents) and in reactive gas atmosphere over a broad range of temperatures. To advance the novel concept of IL-modified electrocatalysts, in-situ studies under potential control are also essential. Beyond the elucidation of topology at the atomic level, the planned instrument should allow exploration of local forces and local viscoelastic properties to contribute to the fundamental understanding of these new and emerging materials concepts.