Free electrons to molecular bonds and back – The dark side of solar fuels and solar chemicals

In this talk, I will highlight some of our recent advances in the field of direct electrochemical reduction of CO2 into value‐added fuels and chemicals on metallic Cu‐based catalysts and nonmetallic carbon‐based MNC electrocatalysts with molecularly‐defined coordinative MNx metal‐nitrogen centers as active sites. Special focus will be placed on efficient production of CO at lab‐scale and industrial current densities with emphasis on a fundamental understanding of between selectivity and the nature of the MNx moiety. Furthermore, the design of hybrid electrocatalysts consisting of CO‐efficient MNC backbones decorated with
CuOx nanoparticles will be addressed and the molecular mechanisms of their enhanced ethylene production discussed.

Bio: Peter Strasser is a Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and the Head of the Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy, and Materials Science Laboratory at the Technical University of Berlin. His research interests include the fundamental aspects between heterogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis, and the electrochemical aspects of energy storage, energy conversion, and solar fuel production devices. In 2018, he received the Sir William Grove Award for his achievements and leadership in electrochemistry by the International Association of Hydrogen Energy.