This course provides an introduction to the chemical analysis and operando spectroscopy related to current scientific questions in energy research.
Learning objective
Objectives are the general physical concepts of physical and chemical analysis and their application on the most important questions in energy applications. Questions tackled include: - What is/determines selectivity / sensitivity of a technique? - What is its spatial/temporal resolution? - How to probe chemical reactions in action?
Content
Future as well as existing energy supply relies on the precise determination of the amount of the energy carrier either produced or spent. The devices used for this purpose range from simple ampere meter and its scientific pendant impedance spectrometer for electricity, and the chemical analysis of fuels and their combustion products. With the advent of renewable energy and its chemical or electro-chemical storage, there is increasing demand for advanced analysis tools as well as operando spectroscopy. The objective of the course is to introduce the physical basis of most commonly used methods, i.e., separation techniques (GC, MS), spectroscopic methods (impedance spectroscopy, UV-Vis-, IR-, Raman- spectroscopy), and scattering techniques (X-ray/photoelectron spectroscopy, neutron scattering) with focus on operando techniques. The methods are discussed within the framework of current scientific questions in renewable energy research such as the analysis of reaction mechanisms in thermo- and electro-catalysis and the in-situ characterization of new energy materials with particular focus on surface phenomena and gas-solid interactions. The course will build on the Bachelor’s degree courses Analytical Chemistry and Materials Characterization Methods.
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course