New in situ cell for investigating solid- and liquid-state samples and their interfaces under electrical voltage
Exploded view drawing of the electrochemical flow cell for soft x-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy. The membrane (yellow) is coated with a metal, serving as working electrode (WE) and that also serves as a support for the solid sample. Counter (CE) and reference electrode (RE) are placed in the liquid chamber. Tubes are attached to allow fast and easy liquid exchange and to prevent radiation damage.
© HZB
A team headed by Dr. Kathrin Aziz-Lange has developed a new in-situ cell for X-ray spectroscopy of fluid samples and their interfaces to solid bodies. What is special is the cell contains electrodes that can expose the sample to voltage during or between measurements. The resulting changes triggered in the electrical structure of the sample can be observed with the help of X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy in real time.
Christoph Schwanke from the HZB Institute for Solar Fuels as well as Ronny Golnak and Dr. Jie Xiao from the HZB Institute for Methods of Material Development participated in the work.
“This new cell is interesting if you want to better understand the functioning of materials for catalytic processes, in electrolytic cells, or rechargeable batteries”, explains Kathrin Aziz-Lange. These kinds of materials play a large role in energy research, for instance in hydrogen generation through electrolytic splitting of water, in fuel cells, in dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSC) as well as in development of more efficient batteries.
The newly developed cell was presented in the scientific journal ,„Review of Scientific Instruments“ (5. November 2014, Vol. 85, 10). first results have already been obtained, and it can also be used by visiting researchers.
"Electrochemical flowcell for in-situ investigations by soft x-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy," has been published online today, 5 November 2014, in Review of Scientific Instruments (Vol.85, Issue 10).
DOI: 10.1063/1.4899063
- Ultrafast demagnetisation - Thinner iron, stronger effectThe thinner an iron film, the more easily it can be demagnetised by a laser pulse. Researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen, working with Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and other partners, have discovered why: the key lies in the magnetic order at the material's interfaces. In the long term, these findings could contribute to the development of new technologies for magnetic data storage. The results have been published in the scientific journal Advanced Science.
- HZB congratulates Peter Hegemann on winning the Nobel PrizeOur warmest congratulations go to Peter Hegemann, Professor of Neuroscience and Experimental Biophysics at Humboldt University in Berlin. Together with Prof. Georg Nagel (Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg) and Prof. Karl Deisseroth (Stanford University, USA), he has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. We are delighted for him, his team, Humboldt University and the entire Berlin scientific community.
- Does African Architecture exist?The world’s first Pan-African Architecture Biennale took place this September in Nairobi, Kenya. People from the worlds of architecture, art, academia and politics from 54 African countries and the diaspora had travelled to Nairobi to exchange ideas on traditional and contemporary building methods, materials, experiences and projects. Samira Aden co-organised this biennial as lead curator. We spoke to her about it.