HZB-Highlights 2022 published
© HZB/M.Setzpfand
The Highlights 2022 report on a selection of the most important research results and events at HZB.
This year, the cyber attack made it much more difficult to compile the highlights 2022. But now it's done! One focus in this report is energy research, in which HZB is extraordinarily successful, from basic research to technology transfer. In 2022, HZB teams developed tandem solar cells with record efficiencies, and there was great progress in research on batteries and "green" hydrogen as well. In addition, HZB further expanded its collaborations with industrial partners fostering innovation in the solar industry in Europe. Selected research results from the fields of information and matter provide insights into the diversity of research at HZB and at our X-ray source BESSY II. The report ends with facts, figures, personalia, a short report on the Diversity Charter and a review of special events such as the visit of the swedish King.
- Porous Radical Organic framework improves lithium-sulphur batteriesA team led by Prof. Yan Lu, HZB, and Prof. Arne Thomas, Technical University of Berlin, has developed a material that enhances the capacity and stability of lithium-sulphur batteries. The material is based on polymers that form a framework with open pores (known as radical-cationic covalent organic frameworks or COFs). Catalytically accelerated reactions take place in these pores, firmly trapping polysulphides, which would shorten the battery life. Some of the experimental analyses were conducted at the BAMline at BESSY II.
- Metallic nanocatalysts: what really happens during catalysisUsing a combination of spectromicroscopy at BESSY II and microscopic analyses at DESY's NanoLab, a team has gained new insights into the chemical behaviour of nanocatalysts during catalysis. The nanoparticles consisted of a platinum core with a rhodium shell. This configuration allows a better understanding of structural changes in, for example, rhodium-platinum catalysts for emission control. The results show that under typical catalytic conditions, some of the rhodium in the shell can diffuse into the interior of the nanoparticles. However, most of it remains on the surface and oxidises. This process is strongly dependent on the surface orientation of the nanoparticle facets.
- KlarText Prize for Hanna TrzesniowskiThe chemist has been awarded the prestigious KlarText Prize for Science Communication by the Klaus Tschira Foundation.