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Project Overview

Project Code: NAT 06

Project name:

Atomic-scale microscopy on the dynamics of oxide-supported cluster catalysts

TUM Department:

NAT - Chemical Engineering

TUM Chair / Institute:

Functional Nanomaterials

Research area:

Physical Chemistry

Student background:

Chemical EngineeringChemistryPhysics

Further disciplines:

Participation also possible online only:

Planned project location:

Chemistry Department, Garching

Project Supervisor - Contact Details


Title:

Prof. Dr.

Given name:

Barbara

Family name:

Lechner

E-mail:

bajlechner@tum.de

Phone:

+498928913436

Additional Project Supervisor - Contact Details


Title:

PD Dr.

Given name:

Friedrich

Family name:

Esch

E-mail:

friedrich.esch@tum.de

Phone:

+498928913286

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/or under near-ambient pressures (NAP). You will prepare single crystal (e.g. TiO2(110)) or thin film (e.g. CeO2) 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 (NAP) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). 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:

Enthusiasm for experimenting. Team player.

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