Nanofluidic Catalytic Reaction Imaging

Introduction

How can we see a catalytic reaction on a single nanoparticle? While our eyes use visible light to create a vivid perception of our world, they are unable to resolve the nanoscale.

Objective

Now imagine light allowing us to equally vividly see a chemical process, thereby enabling us to witness how the structure or chemical composition of a single nanoparticle controls the rate of a catalytic reaction on its surface.

Current Challenges

To date, the lack of a suitable technique prevents this ultimate level of insight at technically relevant conditions. At the same time, gaining such insight is the ultimate goal of catalysis science and a key enabler for the rational design of next-generation catalyst materials needed to address some of humanity's grand challenges in the energy, environmental clean-up, and health sectors.

Method Development

NACAREI therefore develops a nanoimaging method that realizes this ultimate goal. As the key ingredients for achieving the necessary unprecedented resolution, it relies on:

1. The combined nano-confinement of reaction products in nanofluidic structures.
2. The ultrahigh optical sensitivity of these structures.

Focus Areas

Particular focus will also be put on the development of methods to fabricate or trap size-, shape-, and composition-controlled single sub-10 nm metal nanoparticles inside nanofluidic channels by combining key traits of top-down nanofabrication and colloidal synthesis.

Application of the Platform

The developed nanoimaging platform will be applied to scientific case studies related to catalyst function with respect to the roles of:

• Particle structure
• Surface state
• Chemical composition
• Interaction with the support

This will help uncover the next generation of catalyst design rules.

Long-term Vision

In the long term, I envision the developed nanoscale imaging platform enabling the study of other nanoscale processes, for example in biochemistry, thereby enabling high impact also at other vibrant scientific frontiers.