Hitchcock Research Group

Examples of our research - click on images for details

Contact Info
Adam P. Hitchcock
Chemistry & ChemBio
B.I.M.R
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON
Canada L8S 4M1
V: +1 905 525-9140
x24749
F: +1 905 521-2773
E: aph@mcmaster.ca
U: unicorn.mcmaster.ca
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RECENT PUBLICATIONS:

Sep 2024     P.Ingino, H. Eraky, C. Zhang, A. P. Hitchcock and M. Obst, Soft X-ray spectromicroscopic proof of a reversible oxidation/reduction
                    of individual microbial biofilm structures using a novel microfluidic in situ electrochemical device, Scientific Reports 14 (2024) 24009.
                   doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74768-9
Sep 2024    A.P. Hitchcock et al., Comparison of Soft X-ray spectro-ptychography and Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy,
                      J. Electron Spec. & Rela. Phen 276 (2024) 147487. doi.org/10.1016/j.elspec.2024.147487
Mar 2024    H. Eraky, J.J. Dynes and A. P. Hitchcock, Mn 2p and O 1s X-ray absorption spectroscopy of manganese oxides,
                  J. Electron Spec. & Rela. Phen.274 (2024) 147452. doi.org/10.1016/j.elspec.2024.147452
Oct 2023       C. Zhang, H. Eraky, S. Tan, A.P. Hitchcock and D. Higgins Simultaneously Monitoring Chemical and Morphological Changes in
                 Copper CO₂ Reduction Electrocatalysts by In-situ Scanning Transmission Soft X-ray Microscopy, ACS Nano 17 (2023) 21337
                 doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c05964
Sep 2023     C. Zhang, H. Eraky, N. Mille, S. Stanescu, S. Swaraj, R. Belkhou, D. Higgins and A.P. Hitchcock, Copper CO2-Reduction
                 Electrocatalysts studied by In-situ Soft X-ray Spectro-Ptychography, Cell Physical Sciences 4 (2023) 101665 doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101665

LATEST VERSION of aXis2000 - 24 JULY 2024 LATEST VERSION of soft X-ray Microscopy Bibliography - 09 Oct 2024

The Hitchcock group develops new instruments, methods and applications of inner shell excitation spectroscopies and microscopies for analysis of advanced materials. We are particularly active in the application of X-ray microscopy to energy materials [PEM fuel cells, CO2 reduction catalysts, supercapacitors], polymers, nanostructures, biomaterials, magnetotactic bacteria, environmental studies. A focus at present is in situ and operando methods, such as in situ flow electrochemistry, and tge investigation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell electrodes under realistic (T,RH. We also use electron impact and synchrotron methods to advance our understanding ot the fundamentals of Inner shell excitation spectroscopy of gases, surfaces, solids and liquids.

A common theme of all projects is the development of new experimental techniques based on electron impact and X-ray absorption phenomena, and optimization of their application to a wide variety of chemical, physical and materials problems. Collaborations with researchers in industry, government, and other universities play a large role in our approach to promote interest in, and practical uses for, inner-shell spectroscopies. Typically, these collaborations combine the group's expertise in X-ray and electron impact spectroscopic analysis with chemical, materials or physicsl problems motivated by the collaborating group.

Our group has helped develop the most advanced analytical soft X-ray microscope in the world (a scanning transmission X-ray microscope at the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley, and lead the mplementation of STXMs at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) in Saskatoon). Over the past 5 years, in collaboration with instrument developers and scientists at the CLS, we have helped develop a new cryo-STXM with capabilities for cryo-spectro-tomography. We are helping to develop analysis software and applications of soft X-ray ptychography including the first demonstration of ptychography at the C 1s edge.

The CLS soft X-ray spectroscopy beamline (SM) features two scanning transmission X-ray microscopes (STXM) and an X-ray photoemission electron microscope (X-PEEM) on separate branch lines of a high performance plane grating monochromator beamline, illuminated by an elliptically polarized undulator. In October 2022, a new monochomator was installed, providing enhanced performance over the full 130 -3000 eV range, with a 10-fold improvement abouve 2000 eV, due to introduction of a wide-range, multilayer coating.

Please explore the pages of this web site. It contains highlights of our research, information about group members, opportunities for research positions, a list our publications (with links to pdfs), and links to tools we provide to others - aXis2000, BAN, the Core Excitation Bibiography and Database (~600 spectra of ~400 gas phase compounds!!), and a X-ray microscopy bibliography as well as links to related sites.

Enjoy your visit !