Master's thesis position in the group 'Catalytic Interfaces for Chemical Energy Carriers' focused on probing local pH effects in electrolytes relevant to electrolysers, fuel cells and electrochemical energy storage.

Master Thesis on local pH effects in electrochemistry (Start Date: any time)

14.08.2026, Student assistants, internships, student research projects

This Master's thesis project focuses on probing and correcting for local pH effects in electrochemical reactions, such as reactions relevant to water splitting electrolysis and fuel cell catalysis.

The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is essential for green hydrogen production, yet the intrinsic effect of electrolyte pH on its kinetics remains poorly understood. As a proton-coupled electron-transfer reaction, HER induces interfacial pH shifts that complicate kinetic analyses. Conventional pH buffer solutions fail to resolve this issue because they actively interfere with reaction kinetics. To overcome this, we employ a pH-corrected voltammetry technique that accounts for interfacial pH artefacts, enabling direct kinetic measurements in unbuffered electrolytes.
Here, we simultaneously measure the current response to an applied overpotential and the corresponding shift in interfacial pH. By using the measured pH change to adjust the applied overpotential, we obtain true pH-corrected voltammetric curves. This is achieved using an interdigitated electrode architecture featuring planar, parallel working electrodes spaced 10 μm apart. One electrode drives electrochemistry, while the adjacent electrode monitors interfacial pH via the H+/H2 equilibrium potential on platinum (Figure 1).
By systematically varying the bulk electrolyte pH, we map steady-state current density (𝑗) against charge-transfer overpotential (𝜂ct). The resulting data allows us to generate 𝑗-pH relationships across constant overpotentials to systematically investigate the influence of electrolyte composition, including cation identity and activity.
Figure 1: Using IDEs to determine interfacial pH swings
What do you bring?
• Enrollment in a Master's level study program in Germany.
• An interest in electrochemistry.
• Motivation to learn new concepts and methods.
• Experience working in a chemistry lab.

What do we offer?
• Close supervision.
• Training in electrochemistry techniques and methods.
• Access to group training and seminars that occur during the tenure of the project
• Unfortunately, we cannot offer any payment for this position

If interested, contact antony.james@tum.de with your CV.

Kontakt: antony.james@tum.de