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  2. Laboratories
  3. LABORATORY FOR ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY AND INDUSTRIAL ANALYSIS
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  5. Research projects financed by ARIS
  6. J1-70039

J1-70039

 

 

J1-70039: Decoding the Fundamentals of Electrochemical Interface Breakdown at the Atomic Level

 

Project Group

Project Leader: prof. dr. Matjaž Finšgar

Participating research organizations:

  • Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor (FKKT UM)
  • National Institute of Chemistry (KI)
  • Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Ljubljana (FKKT UL)

https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/en/project/24379

Project Description

The project focuses on improving our understanding of electrochemical interfaces, with particular emphasis on degradation processes at the atomic level. These processes are often not adequately explained by macroscopic observations. To address this, the project applies a range of advanced analytical techniques, including tandem time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), hard XPS (HAXPES), gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) for XPS and ToF-SIMS, advanced electrochemistry, electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM), identical location scanning electron microscopy (IL-SEM), identical location transmission electron microscopy (IL-TEM), in-situ/in operando electrochemical liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (EC-LC TEM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC MS), electrochemical flow cell coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (EFC-ICP-MS), Raman spectroscopy, solid-state NMR, nano-tomography (nano-CT), isotope labeling, and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). This approach transcends conventional methodologies, offering a novel perspective in understanding and controlling degradation processes.

The research is structured into five work packages, each led by a specialized team from a consortium comprising the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Maribor (FKKT UM), National Institute of Chemistry (KI), and Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana (FKKT UL). These packages range from studying various alloys used in electrolysis and CO2 reduction to investigating the durability of conductive supports like graphene derivatives and titanium oxynitride.

Project Stages

  • Synthesis and characterization of well-defined transition metal and carbon surfaces
  • Developing atomic-scale models of material deterioration
  • Surface chemistry and catalysis site analysis of nickel-based materials using advanced multivariate techniques
  • Enhancing the durability of catalytic materials
  • Enhancing the durability of conductive supports

References

  1. FINŠGAR, Matjaž, VARDA, Katja Andrina, KOZLICA, Dževad, HUŠ, Matej, MARTINS, Milena, STRMČNIK, Dušan. Combining ToF-SIMS and multivariate analysis to resolve active sites on Ni-based HER catalysts. Angewandte Chemie : international edition. First published: 15 January 2026, [article no.] e19929, 12 pages. ISSN 1521-3773. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/anie.202519929, Digitalna knjižnica Univerze v Mariboru – DKUM, DOI: 10.1002%2Fanie.202519929. [COBISS.SI-ID 265392899]
  2. FINŠGAR, Matjaž. Contemporary techniques and prospects in pharmaceutical tablet surface analysis. ACS measurement science Au. February 2, 2026, 15 pages, ilustr. ISSN 2694-250X. Digitalna knjižnica Univerze v Mariboru – DKUM, DOI: 10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.5c00178. [COBISS.SI-ID 267072003]
  3. TOMC, Blaž, KOSTELEC, Mitja, PLUT, Matic, ŠKET, Primož, FINŠGAR, Matjaž, ŠALA, Martin, NUHANOVIĆ, Mejrema, RUIZ-ZEPEDA, Francisco, STRMČNIK, Dušan, BELE, Marjan, HODNIK, Nejc. Pulsed electrolysis controls copper restructuring via dissolution–redeposition to prolong selective CO₂ reduction to ethylene. Journal of CO2 utilization. [Online ed.]. Mar. 2026, vol. 105, [article no.] 103358, pages 1-10, ilustr. ISSN 2212-9839. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212982026000478, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2026.103358. [COBISS.SI-ID 271825667]