Our research group focuses on material synthesis and nanoscale understanding of solid-liquid interfaces for applications in catalysis and energy conversion. Key catalytic reactions, including CO2 conversion, are challenged by the degradation of the materials employed under operation conditions, performance-limiting inefficiencies at catalyst-electrode interfaces, and limited selectivity and efficiency of the catalysts for multi-electron and proton-coupled transformations.
Deficient nanoscale elucidation of structure-property relationships and dynamic material properties under reaction conditions hamper progress toward the synthesis of the next-generation of material systems.
We address these challenges by employing high spatio-temporal resolution scanning probe microscopy, including atomic force microscopy in liquid phase to decipher in-situ / operando the structural, electronic, and catalytic properties of selected materials under reaction conditions and external stimuli. Combined with a suite of advanced spectroscopic characterization tools, we elucidate nanoscale structure-property relationships and charge-transport phenomena at solid-liquid interfaces. These efforts are combined synergistically with the synthesis of advanced catalytic materials.
G.H. Simon, C. Kley and B. Roldan Cuenya: Potential‐Dependent Morphology of Copper Catalysts During CO2 Electroreduction Revealed by In Situ Atomic Force Microscopy. Angewandte Chemie International Edition60 (5), 2561–2568 (2021).
Kley, C.: Electrochemical Scanning Probe Microscopy for Catalysis Research. Challenges on the Renewable Energy Storage Conference, Liblice, Czech Republic (2022)
Kley, C.: Building Fundamental Understanding of CO2 Electroreduction Catalysts by in Situ Microscopy and Spectroscopy. International Nanoscience Students Conference (INASCON), Munich, Germany (2022)
Kley, C.: Building Fundamental Understanding of Electrochemical CO2 Conversion From Local to Global. FHI-Workshop on Current Research at the Interface of Physics and Chemistry, Potsdam, Germany (2022)
Kley, C.: In Situ Atomic Force Microscopy for Correlative Local Analysis of CO2 Conversion Electrocatalysts. nanoGe Spring Meeting (NSM22), Online Event (2022)
Kley, C.: Correlative Electrochemical Microscopy: Building an Understanding of Electrocatalysts From Local to Global. Seminar, Solar Fuels Institute, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Online Event (2022)
Kley, C.: Deciphering Electrocatalysts Under Reaction Conditions by in Situ Electrochemical Scanning Probe Microscopy. International Joint Symposium, Challenge to Develop Innovative Photocatalyst, Online Event (2021)
Kley, C.: Deciphering Electrocatalysts Under Reaction Conditions by In Situ Electrochemical Scanning Probe Microscopy. Seminar, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Online Event (2020)
Kley, C.: Revealing Catalytic Materials at the Nanoscale: From UHV STM to In Situ Electrochemical AFM. The 81st Okazaki Conference, Forefront of Measurement Technologies for Surface Chemistry and Physics in Real-Space, k-Space, and Real-Time, Okazaki, Japan (2019)
Kley, C.: Revealing Catalytic Materials at the Nanoscale: From UHV STM to in Situ Electrochemical AFM. 3rd Sino-German Young Scientist Symposium on Structures & Dynamics at Surfaces, Dalian, China (2019)
