Tristan Petit, IS2M

Interfaces at the nanoscale, also called nanointerfaces, play a fundamental role in physics and chemistry. Probing the chemical and electronic environment at nanointerfaces is essential to elucidate chemical processes relevant for applications in a variety of fields. My research topics are mostly related to the understanding of physicochemical processes occurring at the solid-liquid interface with carbon, carbide and carbonitride materials. To achieve this aim, I developed new methods to characterize these interfaces with optical and soft X-ray spectroscopy techniques. In this presentation, I will present some representative studies of my research work based on the different classes of nanomaterials that I have investigated in the contextof applications in energy storage and conversion.
I will most specifically detail recent work related to 2D transition metal carbides, so- called MXenes. Their layered structure with a tunable surface chemistry and conductive core provide them with pseudocapacitive properties ideally suited for electrochemical energy storage. Future challenges related to their synthesis and application to sodium ion battery will be highlighted.