Dresden 2020 – scientific programme

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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik

O 112: Development of Novel Methods I

O 112.7: Talk

Thursday, March 19, 2020, 16:45–17:00, WIL C107

Optimization of a UHV-compatible electrochemical flow cell combined with IRAS and DEMS for single crystal experiments — •Claus Kovacs, Jiri Pavelec, Michael Schmid, Ulrike Diebold, and Gareth S. Parkinson — Institute of Applied Physics, Vienna University of Technology, Austria

Electrochemical reactions involving metal-oxide catalysts are increasingly important in energy conversion technologies, but the mechanisms involved remain shrouded in mystery. Electrochemical surface science is relatively well established, but studies involving metal-oxide single crystals remain rare, and best practices for UHV-to-electrolyte transfer are still being established. Here, we will discuss the development of a UHV-compatible electrochemical flow cell, which is to be combined with in-situ differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy (DEMS) and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) measurements. Crucially, the transfer must be made without exposure to air. To speed up the design process and optimize cell performance, we have performed numerical simulations utilizing the program COMSOL Multiphysics®. In particular, the simulations allow us to optimize the thickness of the flow cell, which has a major impact on IRAS and the electrochemical cell performance. Further, the residence time in the cell is also optimized to improve DEMS detection. The simulations focus on mass transport through the cell, as well as the reaction at the catalytic interface. Finally, charge transport is studied to optimize the position and shape of the counter and reference electrodes.