Research

Electrochemical Properties of Model Catalyst Systems

We have developed a versatile eletrochemical cell that allows us to measure most relevant electrochemical properties and stability of surface science model systems. We investigate both single crystals surfaces (such as Cu and Ni), and supported systems such as oxide nanoparticles on these supports. The cell enables STM and XPS characterization before and after electrochemical measurements, and is currently used to investigate electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction (ORR) and CO₂ reduction (CO2RR).

The construction was funded by Carlsbergfondet (2018-2021)

Sun, Z.; Lauritsen, J. V., A versatile electrochemical cell for hanging meniscus or flow cell measurement of planar model electrodes characterized with scanning tunneling microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Review of Scientific Instruments 2021, 92 (9), 094101

Sun, Z.; Curto, A.; Rodríguez-Fernández, J.; Wang, Z.; Parikh, A.; Fester, J.; Dong, M.; Vojvodic, A.; Lauritsen, J. V., The Effect of Fe Dopant Location in Co(Fe)OOHx Nanoparticles for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction. ACS Nano 2021, 15 (11), 18226-18236.

Ambient Pressure Surface Science

We invesitgate surface science model catalysts in operando conditions using ambient pressure scanning tunneling microscopy (AP-STM) and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (AP-PES). The SPECS Aarhus STM allows us to image surfaces in controlled atmospheres at at elevated temperature, i.e. under conditions that are approaching the real catalytic conditions. AP-XPS is carried out at synchtrons, such as MAX-IV, Lund, Sweden.

The project is funded by a Villumfonden Research Project (#13264)

Grønborg, S. S.; Salazar, N.; Bruix, A.; Rodríguez-Fernández, J.; Thomsen, S. D.; Hammer, B.; Lauritsen, J. V., Visualizing hydrogen-induced reshaping and edge activation in MoS₂ and Co-promoted MoS₂ catalyst clusters. Nature Communications 2018, 9 (1), 2211.

Bruix, A.; Füchtbauer, H. G.; Tuxen, A. K.; Walton, A. S.; Andersen, M.; Porsgaard, S.; Besenbacher, F.; Hammer, B.; Lauritsen, J. V., In situ detection of active edge sites in single-layer MoS₂ catalysts. ACS nano 2015, 9 (9), 9322-9330.

Hydrotreating Catalysis with Metalsulfide Catalysts

In the project we study the fundamental properties of metal-sulfide nanocatalyst using the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM). The hydrotreating catalyst based on MoS₂ is among the most important heterogeneous catalysts used today, since it is used for upgrading crude oil. More importantly, the same catalyst are also important for the transition to renewable energy, since the same catalyst types can be used for upgrading of various types of bio-oils Using the STM, we can successfully use the STM to provide a genuine atomic-scale view of the active MoS₂ nanoclusters and follow in atomic detail the key intermediate steps in the desulfurization process, and based on this insight we collaborate with an industry partner to develop new hydrotreating catalyst. We participate in the HyProFuel project (Innovation Fund Denmark, 2022-2026), that specifically aims to develop catalysts for production of fuels from bio-waste.

Grønborg, S. S.; Salazar, N.; Bruix, A.; Rodríguez-Fernández, J.; Thomsen, S. D.; Hammer, B.; Lauritsen, J. V., Visualizing hydrogen-induced reshaping and edge activation in MoS₂ and Co-promoted MoS₂ catalyst clusters. Nat. Commun. 2018, 9 (1), 2211.

	Electrochemical Properties of Model Catalyst Systems We have developed a versatile eletrochemical cell that allows us to measure most relevant electrochemical properties and stability of surface science model systems. We investigate both single crystals surfaces (such as Cu and Ni), and supported systems such as oxide nanoparticles on these supports. The cell enables STM and XPS characterization before and after electrochemical measurements, and is currently used to investigate electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction (ORR) and CO₂ reduction (CO2RR). The construction was funded by Carlsbergfondet (2018-2021) Sun, Z.; Lauritsen, J. V., A versatile electrochemical cell for hanging meniscus or flow cell measurement of planar model electrodes characterized with scanning tunneling microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Review of Scientific Instruments 2021, 92 (9), 094101 Sun, Z.; Curto, A.; Rodríguez-Fernández, J.; Wang, Z.; Parikh, A.; Fester, J.; Dong, M.; Vojvodic, A.; Lauritsen, J. V., The Effect of Fe Dopant Location in Co(Fe)OOHx Nanoparticles for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction. ACS Nano 2021, 15 (11), 18226-18236.
	Ambient Pressure Surface Science We invesitgate surface science model catalysts in operando conditions using ambient pressure scanning tunneling microscopy (AP-STM) and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (AP-PES). The SPECS Aarhus STM allows us to image surfaces in controlled atmospheres at at elevated temperature, i.e. under conditions that are approaching the real catalytic conditions. AP-XPS is carried out at synchtrons, such as MAX-IV, Lund, Sweden. The project is funded by a Villumfonden Research Project (#13264) Grønborg, S. S.; Salazar, N.; Bruix, A.; Rodríguez-Fernández, J.; Thomsen, S. D.; Hammer, B.; Lauritsen, J. V., Visualizing hydrogen-induced reshaping and edge activation in MoS₂ and Co-promoted MoS₂ catalyst clusters. Nature Communications 2018, 9 (1), 2211. Bruix, A.; Füchtbauer, H. G.; Tuxen, A. K.; Walton, A. S.; Andersen, M.; Porsgaard, S.; Besenbacher, F.; Hammer, B.; Lauritsen, J. V., In situ detection of active edge sites in single-layer MoS₂ catalysts. ACS nano 2015, 9 (9), 9322-9330.
	Hydrotreating Catalysis with Metalsulfide Catalysts In the project we study the fundamental properties of metal-sulfide nanocatalyst using the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM). The hydrotreating catalyst based on MoS₂ is among the most important heterogeneous catalysts used today, since it is used for upgrading crude oil. More importantly, the same catalyst are also important for the transition to renewable energy, since the same catalyst types can be used for upgrading of various types of bio-oils Using the STM, we can successfully use the STM to provide a genuine atomic-scale view of the active MoS₂ nanoclusters and follow in atomic detail the key intermediate steps in the desulfurization process, and based on this insight we collaborate with an industry partner to develop new hydrotreating catalyst. We participate in the HyProFuel project (Innovation Fund Denmark, 2022-2026), that specifically aims to develop catalysts for production of fuels from bio-waste. Grønborg, S. S.; Salazar, N.; Bruix, A.; Rodríguez-Fernández, J.; Thomsen, S. D.; Hammer, B.; Lauritsen, J. V., Visualizing hydrogen-induced reshaping and edge activation in MoS₂ and Co-promoted MoS₂ catalyst clusters. Nat. Commun. 2018, 9 (1), 2211.