The Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics - within the Faculty of Technical Chemistry, opens an external URL in a new window -  bridges different matters in Chemistry, Technology, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, Materials Science, Bioanalytics, Electrochemistry and Environmental Chemistry and unifies basic with applied sciences & technologies within one institution, which is a unique combination found in Central and Eastern Europe.

The scientific focus of the institute is on one hand development of analytical strategies and instrumentation (e.g. (bio)sensors, omics-techniques, mass spectrometry, imaging techniques, ultra trace separation and detection techniques on the elemental as well as molecular level). On the other hand the focus is related to technology of speciality materials, ranging from metals, less common metals, high performance ceramics, thin films and composites to biomedical materials, as well as energy storage and conversion devices in connection with electrochemical technologies. The development of powerful analytic techniques for structure elucidation as well as for environmental technologies is another focus of research within the institute.

The strength of the institute lies in the remarkable combination of industrially driven applied research and development with an exceptional range of analytical, chemical and structural characterization methods, represented by a large pool of "high-end" scientific equipment. As an example, the institutes has in-house access to an array of excellent analytical instruments pooled in the X-ray Center, opens in new window and Analytical Instrumentation Center, opens in new window allowing competitive research in a large number of application fields (e.g. ranging from inorganic metallic materials to biological tissues).

The Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics is organized in five research divisions and consists of 12 research groups headed by international renown scientists and high potential young scientists.

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Imaging and Instrumental analytical chemistry

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Environmental analytics, Process analytics and Sensors

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Chemical Technologies

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Technical Electrochemistry

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Structural Chemistry

Three eyes see more than two

Rupprechter´s group and FHI Berlin succeeded in monitoring a catalytic reaction on a defined catalyst surface with three different microscopies under exactly the same conditions in real time. In this way, information is obtained that none of the methods alone could reveal.

Concept of correlative microscopy and LEEM image of hydrogen oxidation on Rhodium.

Concept of correlative microscopy and LEEM image of hydrogen oxidation on Rhodium.

Research teams from the Institute of Materials Chemistry and the Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin have developed a novel approach that allows to have “triple eyes” on a catalytic reaction. It has been possible to combine three different microscopies in a way that the same spot on the same sample was examined under the same environmental conditions, called correlative microscopy. Three different electron microscopies were used: two different variants of photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), namely UV-PEEM and X-PEEM, and low energy electron microscopy (LEEM). Through the correlative approach, it was possible to effectively use the specific strength of each of the respective microscopy methods (spatial and energy resolution, field of view, magnification down to the nanometer range) and thus to image an ongoing catalytic reaction in unprecedented detail.

This way, they were able to show that during the catalytic conversion of hydrogen and oxygen to water, reaction fronts on the crystal surface not only form remarkable geometric patterns, but also a new mechanism of the propagation of these fronts was discovered. Especially for climate-relevant technologies such as ecologically clean hydrogen-based energy production in fuel cells, a comprehensive understanding of such processes is crucial.

The young researchers of the TU Wien team (l.t.r.): Johannes Zeininger, Philipp Winkler, Maximilan Raab.

The young researchers of the TU Wien team (l.t.r.): Johannes Zeininger, Philipp Winkler, Maximilan Raab.