Surface X-ray Diffraction Tomography

We will develop Surface X-ray Diffraction Tomography as a tool for in-situ and operando surface structure determinations on polycrystalline samples.

Surface X-Ray Diffraction (SXRD) is unique in its ability to quantitatively determine surface structures, under working conditions for many industrial devices, with a precision for the atomic positions down to 0.01 Å.

Presently, however, the application of SXRD is limited to samples such as single crystal surfaces, where the scattering is similar from all parts of the surface.

The high brilliance in small X-ray beams available at the latest generation synchrotrons, in combination with a tomographic approach, will enable spatially resolved SXRD measurements of polycrystalline surfaces.

This will open up new possibilities in the investigation of the relation between surface structure and function in many processes and devices, such as catalysis, electrochemistry, corrosion, fuel cells and batteries, which are crucial for a shift to a sustainable society.We will develop SXRD tomography, including measurement routines and analysis tools.

We will test the method on catalytic systems that we know well from previous studies, but where we have sutable open questions.

Towards the end of the project, we will apply the method to electrochemistry, corrosion, fuel cells and batteries, in collaboration with experts in these fields. Hence, we will make sure that the development can be used broadly in research towards a sustainable society.