Research
The study of non-stoichiometric and usually ion- and electron-conducting solids is a long term center of our work. Charge and mass transport under different conditions (in electric fields, in chemical potential gradients, temperature gradients or magnetic fields), the influence of equilibrium and non-equilibrium defects (interfaces, dislocations), solid state reactions and their control are examples for more specific subjects. Materials under investigation are relatively stable ionic compounds, e. g. halides, oxides and chalcogenides, nitrides and oxinitrides of transition metals – from simple binary phases to complex multinary phases or dispersions.
The electrode kinetics of solid electrolytes plays a crucial role in various solid state electrochemical applications. Notwithstanding the electrode kinetics of even simple systems is only insufficiently investigated and understood. For this reason we study the kinetics of two important model cases: The metal dissolution and deposition on cation-conducting solid electrolytes, and the gas electrodes on oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolytes. Recently we started to investigate the kinetics of less usual gases (e. g. nitrogen or ammonia). As methods we apply conventional electrochemical techniques but also microscopic and micro-spectroscopic in situ techniques.
Main aim of this topic is to understand the influence of electric polarization on surface properties of functional materials. Currently we concentrate on projects in heterogeneous catalysis (NEMCA/EPOC), but new projects on other surface phenomena are in preparation.
The combination of plasma chemistry and electrochemistry is the long term aim of different projects in cooperation with plasma physicists. We focus on the characterisation and understanding of reactions at interfaces between “gaseous” conductors (plasmas) and solid or liquid ionic conductors.
By using Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) it is possible to obtain chemical information of biological samples with a high lateral resolution. Within the Sonderforschungsbereich TRR79 we investigate different questions concerning the incorpoartion behaviour of new implant materials for osteoporosis patients. We are interested in the Investigation of bone cross sections and in the cell-implant interaction.
This page will contain information about the scientific equipment of the Janek group and which investigations methods can be used. At the moment this information is only accessible in the German part of this homepage. If you need further information, please contact the secratary of Prof. Janek by clicking on "Office RG Prof. Janek" on the right site of this page.
Members of the research group participate in a number of national and international collaborations. Our most important partners are listed here.