PHOTON SCIENCE

Introduction

The DESY NanoLab with its Spectroscopy-, Microscopy-, Laser-, Electrochemistry- and X-ray labs offers a wide range of analytical tools for our specific research goals.
These possiblities combined with large scale facilities analysis lead to various research highlights we would like to present.

Publication highlights (in chronological order):

• Observed live for the first time: Photocatalysts switch off a virus. Whitening agent titanium dioxide kills viruses – now researchers see it at work at the nanoscale
• Combined IR spectroscopy and surface X-Ray diffraction setup for chemical and structural in-situ characterisation. New instrument development tested at PETRA III
• Engineered wall paint could kill corona viruses - Investigation of aerosols on titanium dioxide shows promising routes to surface and air disinfection
• Photoinduced Dynamics at the Water/TiO2⁢(101) Interface - Study at FLASH of surface reactions in real-time
• Solvent affects structure of nano-coatings - And materials made of nanoparticles can be hardened by heating
• Nano-chocolates that store hydrogen - Innovative ideas for the energy carrier of the future
• X-ray view into hydrogen production - Analysis points the way to more durable iridium electrodes
• Unprecedented view of a single catalyst nanoparticle at work - X-rays reveal compositional changes on active surface under reaction conditions
• Unexpected twist of catalytic nanoparticles - Precise orientation affects shape, size and behaviour
• Dance of the molecules - Scientists observe vibrational dynamics of organic acid molecules on iron oxide surface