Research
The controlled functionalization of surfaces is essential for defining the properties of materials used in catalysis, imaging, or microelectronics. Our group works on the surface chemistry of oxides, metallic nanoparticles, and hybrid organic-inorganic materials. In particular, the focus of our research is to master the molecular structures and related properties of supported single-site and nanoparticle catalysts. More recently, we have extended these strategies to applications involving imaging (luminescence and nuclear magnetic resonance) and microelectronic devices. Since our research requires detailed molecular understanding of the surface chemistry of materials, we use a combination of spectroscopic methods (IR, UV-Vis, XPS, XAFS, EPR, and solid-state NMR, etc.), computational chemistry (on molecular and periodic systems), and testing the properties of the materials. The overarching goal is to develop catalysts and devices through rational design.
Our research efforts include the development of:
- Single-site catalysts via Surface Organometallic Chemistry (SOMC)
- Supported nanoparticles, having controlled size, shape and nanoparticle-support interface
- Characterization methods, in particular in situ IR and EXAFS as well as Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Surface Enhanced NMR spectroscopy (DNP-SENS)
- Computational approaches to understand the complex surface chemistry of materials (structures, spectroscopic signatures and properties)
- High-throughput experimentation (HTE) approaches that allow preparation of a broader range of catalysts/materials and their evaluation
This multidisciplinary approach would not be possible without a large network of national and international collaborations. Therefore, we invite you to browse our webpage and publications to get acquainted with our research and findings.
For an updated publication list please acces Prof. Copéret external pageGoogle Scholar webpagecall_made.