A focus of the Materials Analysis Group is the creation and implementation of materials possessing nanoscale features (smaller than 100 nm). Nanoscale objects possess huge surface-to-volume ratios, which rapidly increase with decreasing size, and exhibit special phenomena unknown for the respective bulk materials. Thus, nanomaterials are particularly impactful in interface-driven processes, such as heterogeneous catalysis, sensing, corrosion, or wetting, and enable completely novel applications. We are specialized on the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials, as well as the fabrication of nanopores and particle transport through them. Nevertheless, we are also actively doing research in other scientific fields.

Research Areas

Synthesis of Nanomaterials

Assembling nanoscale building blocks into well-defined superstructures is of tremendous technological interest: It allows tailoring the nanomaterials, optimizing their performance, and facilitates their implementing into devices. It is crucial that low-dimensional metal nanostructures like nanowires, nanotubes or nanoplates possess favorable properties such as a high surface area, a high density of active sites, continuous electronic conduction, and high reactivity.

Learn more

Transport through Nanopores

Samples almost always have to be sent to the laboratory to diagnose diseases and to examine wastewater pollution caused by medication or toxins. It can also take a long time for the results to be available. A “lab-on-a-chip system”, on the other hand, offers the possibility of analyzing the samples with the same functionality of a laboratory locally, but faster, cheaper and with less effort. Synthetic nanopores ought to serve as a basic component of such a “lab-on-a-chip system.

Learn more

Large-area analysis of paintings

Since its development in 2008, macroscopic X-ray fluorescence scanning (MA-XRF) has allowed to gain insight about the composition and build-up of polychrome works of art by means of elemental distribution maps, obtained in situ through non-destructive analysis. Such scanning instrument provides chemical information from the entire object (both on and below the surface) while the ensuing analytical results are presented in the form of an image

Learn more

Archaeometry

Measuring samples of cultural-historical origin, a measurement technique that is non-destructive and requires no sample preparation is usually obligatory. Thus, XRF or a micro-XRF that was developed as a PhD thesis were typically applied. In most cases the results lead to further information, e.g. manufacturing techniques and place of origin or differentiation of genuine or forged pieces.

Learn more

Plasma Immersion

Placing a sample inside of a plasma and accelerating its ions towards the sample via a negative high voltage is a simple method to perform ion implantation into the surface of a sample. Thus even three dimensional samples such as gear wheels or tubes are treated homogeneously without the need of sample manipulation.

Learn more

Materials in Radiation Fields

In a number of applications, such as in nuclear facilities, particle accelerators and in space, materials are exposed to energetic ionizing radiation. The irradiation may lead to a degradation of the material properties. Polymers are particularly sensitive in this regard. In a collaboration with GSI , polyimide and polyepoxide, which are components of superconducting beam guiding magnets, are irradiated with relativistic heavy ions and characterized for their properties, such as network degradation and electrical conductivity.

Learn more