Back to TUM-PREP Projects overview

Project Overview

Project Code: NAT 03

Project name:

STM studies on the dynamics of oxide supported cluster catalysts

TUM Department:

NAT - Chemistry

TUM Chair / Institute:

Physical Chemistry / Functional Nanomaterials

Research area:

Physical Chemistry

Student background:

Chemical EngineeringChemistryPhysics

Further disciplines:

Planned project location:

Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching

Project Supervisor - Contact Details


Title:

Prof. Dr.

Given name:

Barbara

Family name:

Lechner

E-mail:

bajlechner@tum.de

Phone:

00498928913436

Additional Project Supervisor - Contact Details


Title:

PD Dr.

Given name:

Friedrich

Family name:

Esch

E-mail:

friedrich.esch@tum.de

Phone:

00498928913286

Additional Project Supervisor - Contact Details


Title:

Given name:

Family name:

E-mail:

Phone:

Project Description


Project description:

A heterogeneous catalyst – often oxide-supported metal
clusters – is an inherently dynamic system: its structure and
chemical composition change continuously during a reaction.
Indeed, the high dynamic structural fluxionality of clusters is
often what makes them such excellent catalysts, but dynamics
can also decrease durability. This project aims at tackling the
fundamental mechanisms guiding cluster stability and
dynamics. We want to answer fundamental questions like: In
which temperature and pressure range are supported clusters
stable? Does the stability of clusters vary with their size and
shape? What about oxide supports – do they restructure as
well? How does this change their stoichiometry? Can we
improve the sintering-resistance of clusters by tuning the
support?

During your summer internship in our group, you will perform
scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements at
variable temperatures and under near-ambient pressures
(NAP). You will prepare single crystal (e.g. TiO2(110)) or thin
film (e.g. SiO2) supports and generate size-selected metal
clusters using a cluster source. In the process, you will learn to
work with ultra-high vacuum (UHV) equipment, how to
conduct high quality STM experiments and how to perform
in-depth data analysis. Here, basic programming skills
(Matlab, Python, Igor) are advantageous in order to efficiently
analyze larger amounts of data. In addition, you will have the
opportunity to perform complementary experiments using our
temperature programmed desorption and reaction (TPD/TPR) setup and spectroscopy. You will work in a team, sharing
responsibilities for keeping the UHV chamber and experiment
running, while at the same time being responsible for your
own project including project planning and data analysis.

Working hours per week planned:

40

Prerequisites


Required study level minimum (at time of TUM PREP project start):

3 years of bachelor studies completed

Subject related:

Interest in state-of-the-art experiments at the boundary
between chemistry and physics. Experience using UHV
systems and performing STM experiments, as well as basic
programming skills are advantageous.

Other:

Team player.

  • Keine Stichwörter