Physical Electrochemistry

Physical Electrochemistry covers all fundamental aspects of the structure and the dynamics of interfaces between an electronic and an ionic conductor, from the molecular to the macroscopic scale.  We consider electrified interfaces between a solid and a liquid phase. Particular attention is paid to the effects of spatially or temporally varying parameters on the interfacial properties and reactivity of the system as well as on conditions and mechanics that lead to the spontaneous emergence of spatial and temporal structures. This includes reactions on nanostructured electrodes, reactions under time-periodic forcing, and reactions that exhibit self-organized reactivity patterns at the electrode surface. The reactions we are investigating include the CO₂ reduction reaction, the hydrogen evolution reaction and Si electrooxidation. In addition to the study of fundamental mechanisms governing the reaction dynamics, we develop experimental techniques for the sensitive measurement of changes in the structure or composition of the interfacial layer, e.g., using plasmonically active electrodes.

Our research topics in the field of Physical Electrochemistry