EC-RAMAN
Enabling Insights into Energy-Relevant Systems via Raman Spectro-electrochemistry
The transition to sustainable energy technologies, such as advanced redox flow batteries, electrolyzers for hydrogen production, and systems for converting carbon dioxide into value-added products, relies on a deep understanding of how molecules and materials behave under electrochemical polarization. However, directly observing processes occurring at electrode-electrolyte interfaces in real time remains a major scientific challenge.
This project aims to acquire a state-of-the-art commercial Raman spectroelectrochemistry setup, which will enable researchers to monitor molecular and material transformations under operating conditions. By coupling electrochemistry with Raman spectroscopy, this approach provides unique, in situ insights into reaction mechanisms, structural evolution, and performance-limiting processes that are otherwise difficult to access.
As illustrative examples of the capabilities of this facility, we will apply this technique to:
- evaluate the potential of inorganic “electron reservoirs”, namely polyoxometalates (POMs), for their integration as active components in aqueous redox flow batteries;
- investigate a variety of heterogeneous electrocatalysts for hydrogen production and CO₂ reduction, including systems based on inorganic clusters, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and covalent organic frameworks (COFs).
