Electrochemistry provides fascinating opportunities to interconvert electrical and chemical energy. Our group aims to understand and manipulate the molecular-level processes that take place at electrochemical interfaces, answering questions such as:
How does an electric field drive chemical conversion? At which point in a catalytic cycle is energy transferred? And how?
We translate our fundamental understanding into catalytic transformations that use electricity as a driving force instead of traditional fossil-based heat sources. Since most existing processes rely on hydrocarbons as feedstocks and energy carriers, our main efforts are directed towards developing the science for converting hydrocarbons using electrical energy. In doing so, we develop technologies that will open new avenues for the storage of renewable electricity and enable the electrification of the chemical industry.
Keywords:
- Electrochemical energy storage
- Electrocatalysis
- Electrified interfaces
- Sustainable synthesis of chemicals
- Interfacial charge transfer
- Electrochemical scale-up