In situ imaging of photocatalysts

This project will focus on the development and use of scanning probe techniques to investigate the properties and performance of photocatalytic particles for hydrogen production from water splitting. Photocatalytic water splitting with suspension reactors is an attractive way to produce clean energy because they can be used to directly use sunlight to convert low energy reactant such as water into energy dense and storable chemical fuels such as hydrogen. This project will be primarily experimental in nature, focusing on the use of in situ scanning probe microscopy techniques including scanning electrochemical microscopy and scanning photocurrent microscopy to interrogate the properties and performance of individual photocatalyst particles. The project requires a student with previous coursework in solar and electrochemical technologies.