{"id":626,"date":"2025-11-12T12:50:05","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T10:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/phynest\/?p=626"},"modified":"2025-11-26T12:07:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T10:07:40","slug":"from-hydrogen-pressure-to-electrode-potential-an-electrochemical-approach-to-organometallic-nanoparticle-synthesis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/phynest\/2025\/11\/12\/from-hydrogen-pressure-to-electrode-potential-an-electrochemical-approach-to-organometallic-nanoparticle-synthesis\/","title":{"rendered":"From Hydrogen Pressure to Electrode Potential: An Electrochemical Approach to Organometallic Nanoparticle Synthesis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Research<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The organometallic approach is a well-established technique for synthesising well-defined nanoparticles. In this process, an organometallic precursor is subjected to controlled decomposition under a low partial pressure of hydrogen, resulting in the production of nanoparticles with narrow size distributions and high reproducibility. Despite its clear advantages, this methodology faces important challenges: the requirement of hydrogen gas introduces safety risks related to flammability and handling, while the process’s intrinsic design restricts scalability, typically providing only very small amounts of material. These limitations hinder its broader application and practical implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this project, we are proposing an alternative strategy in which hydrogen is replaced by an electrochemical driving force. The application of a controlled potential using a potentiostat directly at the electrode surface can trigger the decomposition of the organometallic precursor. This approach eliminates the hazards associated with hydrogen and offers a highly versatile platform, since the applied potential can be tuned to influence nucleation and growth processes. In addition, when the decomposition is performed on an electrode, the electrode itself can be used as a support for nanoparticle growth, which provides a natural pathway for scaling up production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nanoparticles obtained through this electrochemical organometallic route will be employed as catalysts in artificial photosynthesis reactions, including the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and \/ or the electrochemical reduction of CO\u2082 (CO\u2082RR). This approach combines safety, scalability, and electrochemical tunability to establish a new route for designing catalysts for energy conversion. By enabling efficient electrocatalysts for these key reactions in artificial photosynthesis, this work contributes to sustainable energy conversion strategies that address global challenges such as climate change by promoting carbon-neutral fuel production and renewable energy storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Academic<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Candidates should have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n