Electrically controlled processes on semiconductor-gas interfaces for power to fuel technologies

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Theodor Doll; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Julia Körner
• Subject Area: Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering ; Electrical Energy Systems, Power Management, Power Electronics, Electrical Machines and Drives
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 527334504

We want to explore electronic semiconductor structures that are able to selectively control the adsorption of gaseous species using low voltage electrical signals. They utilise the electroadsorptive effect (EAE), which is capable of controlling gas adsorption processes (adsorption states of individual reactants) on catalytically active surfaces of semiconductors and insulators by internal electric fields of the substrates underneath the surfaces. Our main goal is to demonstrate that EAE can be used to increase the efficiency or yield of chemical surface-mediated reactions. This will be exemplarily shown on systems of the currently efficiency-limited power-to-fuel technologies. For this purpose, a methodologically stringent approach consisting of previously identified chemical reaction chains, selected material systems, suitable analytics, theoretical modelling and application tests is proposed. It includes the correlation of analytics in ultra-high vacuum with chemical detection methods operating under normal reaction conditions, quantum mechanical dynamic modelling of the processes, and the technological realisation of components for experimental verification of reaction efficiency in the field of application. Key elements of the proposed research are metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) devices comprising a catalytically active semiconductor layer. Operated at voltages not exceeding 15 volts, the EAE enhances the adsorption of chemical reactants in preferential oxidation and stereochemical states. The research will start with a fundamental investigation of these electronic states and extend to chemical processing tests integrating the MIS devices into a flatbed microchemical reactor and optimising the catalytic conversion efficiency in a voltage-controlled manner. The objectives of the project are (i) to answer the question of whether EAE provides a useful approach to control and tune the relevant reaction kinetics for P2F techniques, (ii) to identify the relevant material compositions and device geometries, and (iii) to provide a basic model that makes clear the most influential parameters for future applications and developments. The applicant team has a long-standing collaboration, is an international leader in the field of EAE in particular, and unites the entire chain of fundamental analysis, modelling and application testing. We expect our commitment to stimulate closer cooperation between process chemistry and semiconductor technology in the future and to contribute to strengthening energy technologies in emerging future fields.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria, Chile
• Partner Organisation: Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID)
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr.-Ing. Richard Hanke-Rauschenbach; Dr.-Ing. Jan Krügener
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Marcos Flores-Carrasco; Professor Dr.-Ing. Victor Fuenzalida-Escobar; Professorin Dr. Sabine Hild