CHARACTERISATION


In order to improve the efficiency of photocatalytic systems, it is crucial to gain insight into the factors governing reactivity in CO2 photoduction and water splitting. This knowledge, together with simultaneous monitorisation of reaction kinetics, allows us to understand the relations between catalysts structure and activity, so that it is possible to to optmise the latter by controling the former. In FOTOFUEL, we study the factors affecting solar fuels production: the mechanistic aspects, even at molecular scale, of oxidation-reduction reactions; the influence of surface structure and defects on reaction rates; and the mechanism and kinetics of charge transfer between catalysts and reactants. This involves studies at different leves:

  • (I) Phyisico-chemical characterisation.
  • (II) Opto-electronic characterisation.
  • (III) In situ characterisation.

"El objetivo de FOTOFUEL es alcanzar un avance significativo en el desarrollo de materiales y dispositivos para la producción eficiente de combustibles solares a través de la búsqueda de sinergias y cooperación en red de los principales grupos de investigación en esta temática al tiempo que les dota de una plataforma de proyección internacional."