Functional Materials Group

Research


Renewable energy conversion and storage are relevant topics in applied research today, since the use of non-fossil energy sources is essential for the reduction of CO2 emissions. Solar and wind energy harvesting combined with chemical energy storage in batteries or fuels like hydrogen are essential processes, which need to be improved in efficiency, long-term stability and scalability. Our goal is to contribute to the development of cost effective scalable solutions for energy conversion and storage.

 

Latest Publications


Morphological design of LaTiO2N particles by topotactic growth mechanisms for photocatalytic applications

Valérie Werner, Gregor A. Zickler, Simone Pokrant*, Morphological design of LaTiO2N particles by topotactic growth mechanisms for photocatalytic applications. Progress in Solid State Chemistry 2024, Volume 73.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progsolidstchem.2024.100442

Exploring the Insertion Mechanisms of Metal Cations into V3O7·H2O

Daniela Söllinger, Jürgen Schoiber, Philipp L. Darge, Günther J. Redhammer, Simone Pokrant*, Exploring the Insertion Mechanisms of Metal Cations into V3O7·H2O. J. Phys. Chem. C 2024, 128, 5, 2255–2265.   https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.3c08056


Synthesis and Structure of the Double-Layered Sillén–Aurivillius Perovskite Oxychloride La2.1Bi2.9Ti2O11Cl as a Potential Photocatalyst for Stable Visible Light Solar Water Splitting

Exploring novel photocatalysts for solar water-splitting is a relevant measure to take towards sustainable hydrogen production. In this work, a fully titanium-based oxychloride, La2.1Bi2.9Ti2O11Cl, with a double-layered Sillén-Aurivillius intergrowth structure is fabricated via a facile one-step solid-state synthesis. A detailed crystal structure analysis is performed via powder X-ray diffraction and correlated to density functional theory calculations, followed by the demonstration of its photocatalytic activity for visible light-driven water oxidation.

Exploring novel photocatalysts

Valérie Werner, Ulrich Aschauer, Günther J. Redhammer, Jürgen Schoiber, Gregor A. Zickler, and Simone Pokrant*, Synthesis and Structure of the Double-Layered Sillén–Aurivillius Perovskite Oxychloride La2.1Bi2.9Ti2O11Cl as a Potential Photocatalyst for Stable Visible Light Solar Water Splitting. Inorg. Chem. 2023, 62, 17, 6649–6660.  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c00116

 

Exploring the insertion properties of Mg2+ in H2V3O8 as a function of the water content in the organic electrolyte

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D. Söllinger, G. J. Redhammer, J. Schoiber, G. A. Zickler and S. Pokrant, Exploring the insertion properties of Mg2+ in H2V3O8 as a function of the water content in the organic electrolyte. Electrochimica Acta, 2022.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2022.141294

 

Actualities

Oral presentation by Simone Pokrant, PANORAMA:UNI: “Wie kann die Energiewende gelingen? Hürden und Hoffnungen am Beispiel Energiespeicherung”

S. Pokrant hielt im Rahmen der Panorama:Uni am 16.10.2023 in Salzburg einen Vortrag zum Thema Energiewende.


Oral Presentation by Valérie Werner at the 11th International Symposium on Nitrides in France

V.-Werner-oral-presentation-11th-International-Symposium-on-Nitrides-May-2023

V. Werner, oral presentation, 11th International Symposium on Nitrides, May 2023

Valérie Werner presented her research at the 11th International Symposium on Nitrides in Saint Malo, France. During this symposium several aspects of nitride and oxynitride chemistry were presented offering fruitful scientific discussions and networking opportunities.

We are pleased that the following students are currently writing their bachelor thesis with us:

  • Gruber, Lorenz             Investigation of the electrochemical performance of modified H2V3O8 in organic and aqueous Mg-ion half cells
  • Jovanovic, Dejan          Performance improvement of BiVO4 photoelectrodes
  • Liebig, Emmi               Photocatalytic properties of TiO2 encapsulated in carbon in collaboration with M. Elsässer, Materials Chemistry
  • Wolfgruber, Stephanie  Influence of the morphology on the photocatalytic properties of LaTiO2N particles

 

We are pleased that the following students are currently writing their master thesis with us:

  • Eichbauer, Florian        Morphology and photocatalytic properties of oxynitride particles


New device characterization methods installed and operational!

in-operando XRD                                                                                           Faraday efficiency measurement Set-up

in-operando XRDFaraday efficiency measurement Set-up

 

Infrastructure project BioMat TEM was granted!

The functional materials group is proud of being part of the project team BioMat-TEM. The aim of this project is the upgrade of the local transmission electron microscope with a cryo unit and an energy filter (1,9 MEu). It will enable subnanometer imaging and analysis of beam sensitive materials like energy materials or biomaterials.
For more information, click  here and  here.

Showcases for research enabled by the energy filter/cryo upgrade
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Oxidation state determination of CoOx cocatalyst nanoparticles with a size of  5-40 nm by core loss EELS. The cocatatalysts are deposited on the photocatalyst LaTiO2N (adapted from Pokrant S.  et al., Materials Today Energy, 5, 2017, 158)

 

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Cryo transmission electron micrograph of extracellular vesicles, scaling bar 100 nm (adapted from Corso G., Meisner-Kober N. et al., Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, 8, 2019,  1663043 )