Geoffrey Hopping

ghopping3 at gatech dot edu
B.S., Chemical Engineering: Purdue University (2023)

Level 2 Waste Manager

Project: Understanding the Impact of Solvation Within the Electrochemical Double-Layer During Alcohol Oxidation Reactions

Project Description: The chemicals industry requires the development of effective electrocatalytic systems in order to achieve goals for sustainable manufacturing. Multibody interactions between electrodes, reactive intermediates, ions, and solvent molecules at solid-liquid interfaces (i.e., within the electrochemical double-layer) provide opportunities to direct rates and selectivities of electrochemical reactions. Consequently, researchers must develop a fundamental understanding of the microenvironment within the electrochemical double-layer to inform rational electrocatalyst design. Kinetic evaluation of alcohol oxidation reactions (as a model reaction) represents a promising approach to discern the impact of these solvation effects, because this reaction occurs for a wide range of homologous reactants, upon relevant electrode materials, and responds sensitively to changes in the double-layer (e.g., changes to ion identity). My research aims to develop quantitative free energy relationships describing solvation within the electrochemical double-layer by manipulating reactant structure and electrolyte ion identity during alcohol oxidation reactions.