- Joint theory-experiment determination of the structure and properties of the solvent layers and the ion distribution (double-layer structure) near the surfaces of platinum, gold, C/graphene and oxide electrodes.
- New molecular models for the structure of the most inner part of the electric double layer, based on a multi-pronged electrochemical, spectroscopic and computational approach.
Under most practical electrolyte concentrations, the outer diffuse part of the electric double layer (Gouy- Chapman) near an electrode surface plays a less important role, and all reactive processes happen in the inner (Stern) part. The exact nature of the Stern layer is one of big unknowns in interfacial electrochemistry (and in colloid chemistry) as it is very sensitive to the nature of the electrode surface (chemical nature, geometry), the electrolyte components (solvent, ions), and the electrode potential (or surface charge).
Aim: Detailed molecular-level studies of well-defined planar Au, Pt, C and oxide surfaces in contact with various electrolytes, to elucidate the structure and dynamics of solvent and ions of the inner Stern part of the electric double layer, and to develop improved modeling approaches for the Stern layer.