Insight into the selectivity of electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction via bimetallic copper-based cluster platforms

This PhD project is part of European Training Network-Catchy (https://www.catchy-etn.eu/) and is aimed at the fabrication of cluster electrocatalysts for conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable products and fuels. During my PhD, I will focus under the supervision of Prof. Peter Lievens and Dr. Didier Grandjean on deposition of (bi)metallic clusters using Magnetron Sputtering and Laser Aablation techniques. This activity includes optimization and control of production and deposition parameters, such as composition, size, and substrates, as well as the cluster morphology. Their electrocatalytic performance will be investigated in conjunction to in-situ characterization experiments. Clusters will serve as well-defined platforms in order to get fundamental insight into structure–catalytic activity and selectivity properties relationships at the atomic level, such as reaction mechanism at the catalyst surface and identification of actives sites.