Research

We explore the non-scalable size regime of matter with a variety of projects that include local probes and integrating techniques and gasphase as well as surface supported experiments:

• Reactivity, Enantioselectivity and Electronic Properties of Cluster-Assembled Catalysts
  Exploitation of the unique electronic and structural properties as well as the chirality of small, supported metal and bimetal clusters for triggering selective and enantioselective reactions.
• Enantioselective Spectroscopy and Photochemistry in the Gasphase
  Exploration of the chirality and electronic structure of small metal and bimetal clusters in the gasphase by modern laser spectroscopic methods.
• Kinetic and Mechanistic Reaction Studies of Metal Clusters Under Multi-Collision Conditions
  We store size-selected clusters in an ion trap, subject them to to reactive gases, characterize product intensities and obtain entire reaction kinetic networks.
• Highly Sensitive Optical Spectroscopy of Supported Chiral Molecules and Clusters
  Investigation of the optical response of small supported clusters and chiral cluster complexes surfaces by innovative optical spectroscopies.
• Surface Photocatalysis and Chemoselectivity in Heterogeneous Catalysis
  Understanding the mechanisms of photochemical processes that are involved on cluster-assembled materials and sandwich structures.
• Cluster Structure and Dynamics by Scanning Probe Microscopy (VTSPM)
  We study the dynamic behaviour of small supported clusters under reaction conditions by Scanning Probe Microscopy. Spill-over of reaction intermediates and diffusion processes can be observed directly, with unprecedented time resolution, using our recently developed FastSTM module.
• Clusters at the Solid-Liquid Interface (ECSTM)
  We prepare novel, size-controlled nanocluster structures and investigate their stability, redox states and reactivity by a combination of local and integral techniques.
• e-Conversion
  An interdisciplinary project performed in collaboration with several research groups including partners outside from TUM (from LMU and Max Planck Institutes), which aims for the elucidation of fundamental aspects in energy conversion.

 Former projects:

• Ligand Protected Clusters
  Synthesis of clusters by wet-chemical methods; characterization and study of catalytic properties by simultaneous control of the ligand shell and the cluster size.
• Highly Sensitive In-Situ Analysis of Gasphase Molecules by Laser Mass Spectroscopy
  Development of analytical methods for the selection and fast detection of chemical compounds with concentrations down to the ppb-range.

 Associated groups:

• Biomolecular Quantumsensing
  Our research is based on defects in diamond which act as atomic sized sensors for magnetic resonance experiments on the micro- to nanoscale. We apply this innovative technology to answer questions in chemistry and biology from the single molecule to single cell level.