PhD defence

Deciphering the Atomic Structure of the Electrified Metal Oxide- Electrolyte Interface

• N. Deka

Date

Thursday 3 April 2025

Time

11:30 - 12:30 hour

Address

Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden

Supervisor(s)

• dr. R.V. Mom
• Prof.dr. M.T.M. Koper

Summary

Humanity stands at a pivotal juncture, facing the dual challenge of environmental sustainability and rapid population growth, projected to exceed 11 billion by century’s end. Addressing this crisis necessitates transformative advancements in energy and chemical production, aligning global industry with ecological constraints. Central to this transition is electrocatalysis, a process that enables the conversion of renewable electricity into chemical energy, facilitating sustainable fuel and chemical synthesis. Key applications include the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ into valuable hydrocarbons and the production of green hydrogen, critical for decarbonizing industrial processes. Metal oxides, widely employed in electrocatalysis, play a fundamental role in energy conversion, yet their interfacial mechanisms remain poorly understood. Advanced characterization techniques, particularly synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), provide unprecedented insights into the electrode-electrolyte interface, guiding the rational design of high-performance catalysts. This research leverages XAS to elucidate the electronic and structural dynamics of metal oxides, paving the way for optimized electrocatalytic systems and a more sustainable chemical industry.

PhD dissertations

Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.

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