Research Interests
Pulsed Laser Ablation in liquids
Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids (PLAL) is a relatively new technique to prepare nanoparticles. As opposed to conventional methods such as sol gel synthesis or chemical reduction, it uses far less chemicals. PLAL also prepares "naked" nanoparticles, i.e. with a pristine surface. As electrochemistry is extremely surface sensitive, this is highly interesting for us!
Carbon dioxide electroconversion
The increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is worrying, as carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases keeping heat on Earth. The last IPCC report indicated that to reach the target of the Paris agreement, we must develop strategies to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. This is possible by electroreduction, but the energy costs are currently too high. Part of work is therefore on developing new catalysts to convert CO2. In another axis, we are also investigating ways to reduce the energy requirement of the electrolyzer.
Remediation of pollutants
The 20th century has seen tremendous improvements in sciences. Unfortunately, we are now realizing that producing and using chemicals is one thing, but it is another to dispose of them safely. Too often they end out in water, where they can negatively affect the fauna and flora. Some of the pollutants, such as urea or hydrazine, can be eliminated through electrochemistry, albeit not easily. Therefore, we are investigating materials prepared by PLAL to eliminate these pollutants, hopefully more efficiently than current catalysts.