Research group
Experimental X-ray studies of Liquids and Surfaces (XSoLaS)
The group focusses on x-ray scattering, x-ray spectroscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy techniques using synchrotron radiation sources and x-ray free electron lasers at facilities all around the world.
The research is directed towards fundamental studies but related to challenges of societal importance. The research interests include chemical bonding and reactions on surfaces, ultrafast science, heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis in fuel cells, photocatalysis for converting sunlight to fuels, structure, dynamics and physical properties of water and aqueous solutions.
There are many base chemicals of importance for the catalytic production of fertilizers, plastics, detergents, pharmaceuticals and fuels. Currently, the feedstock for the chemical industry is entirely based on fossil sources with an emittance of 8% of the worlds footprint of greenhouse gases (not including when fuels is being burned).
Our research aims to deliver knowledge that leads to a sustainable CO2 reduction reaction to obtain chemicals and fuels as an unrivaled energy resource in terms of energy density, storage, and distribution.
Solid catalysts are frequently used to enhance the rate or selectivity of desirable chemical reactions. We aim to study the underlying mechanisms of these reactions by examining model catalytic systems.
It is known since several decades that many properties of water such density, compressibility, heat capacity etc. become strongly anomalous as the temperature decreases. In particular, this deviation from a simple liquid behaviour becomes strongly enhanced as water is cooled below the freezing point into the metastable supercooled regime.
The UN General Assembly started the initiative in 1992 and since then, different water-related themes have been highlighted every year. In Sweden, World Water Day is coordinated by the Swedish Hydrological Council (SHR) and has been celebrated since 2006. At Fysikum, we tell you about our research on water during this day.
“In the past, we developed many new and powerful techniques with x-ray radiation. The time is ripe now to use them for something important”, says Martin Beye. Climate change is the most important topic to be addressed in the world for the coming decades. Martin commits to make his contribution working at Stockholm University, after his start at Fysikum in September 2023. “At Stockholm University, there is a unique environment, knowledge and infrastructure and wonderful colleagues – all that is required to actually make an impact."
This prize recognizes notable contributions to the field of molecular spectroscopy and dynamics. The prize consists of $10,000, an allowance for travel expenses, up to $1000, to attend the meeting at which the prize is to be presented and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. The motivation is “for seminal contributions in the application of x-ray spectroscopy methods to the molecular dynamics of water and catalytic reactions.”
The conversion of carbon dioxide back into fuels via electrochemistry is a very attractive alternative. - In my studies, I am developing the essential understanding of these reactions by following time-resolved transformation at the atomic and molecular level, says Sergey Koroidov.
When he was in secondary school, he was mostly interested in chemistry and physics. He continued with this focus during the 4-year technical program and during studies abroad. Since then, Professor Anders Nilsson has worked in several countries and his list of publications and awards is long.
Using ultrafast electron diffraction, Anders Nilsson at Stockholm University have participated in a study lead by colleagues at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California on how the structure of water changes after a fast change in the quantum distribution of distances in the internal bond. Upon increasing the quantum number by one unit of the internal OH stretch the team surprisingly found that the hydrogen bond becomes strengthen. The finding is published this week in Nature.
Recent experiments continue to find evidence for a liquid-liquid phase transition
(LLPT) in supercooled water, which would unify our understanding of
the anomalous properties of liquid water and amorphous ice. These experiments
are challenging because the proposed LLPT occurs under extreme
metastable conditions where the liquid freezes to a crystal on a very short time
scale.
