Tianyi Chen

Catalytic adsorption of substrates can be modified through incorporating doping species onto the surface of the NPs. Utilization of small elements, such as Li and B, can modify the interstitial lattice sites of NPs in catalysis. This has been proven through previous works in Tsang group. Consequently, electronic charge transfer and lattice expansion within subsurface layers can contribute to unusual catalytic performances. In this project, I will particularly undertake a systematic study in the synthesis, testing of some modified non-precious metal nanoparticles in Tsang group. These samples will be imaged using the latest generation of scanning transmission electron microscopes (JEOL ARM-200F) based in Oxford Materials, Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) will be used to identify the presence of the interstitial species and to quantify the composition. Image non-rigid registration methods, recently developed within the Nellist group at Oxford Materials, will be used to make local measurements of strain and/or changes in crystallographic structure. A new technique also recently developed in the Nellist group, of combined Z-contrast and phytography will be used to directly image the locations of the light element interstitials.