Resumen
Our society faces a critical challenge in shifting from a reliance on carbon-based energy to sustainablerenewable sources. A key step towards achieving clean energy lies in developing efficient catalysts thatcan convert chemical energy into electricity or use electrons to generate chemical energy.
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In our research group, we tackle these challenges by creating customized materials that draw inspiration
from nature (biomimicry) and combine principles from interfacial chemistry and surface physics. For this
presentation, I focus on the process of photosynthesis as inspiration for the design, characterization, and
dynamic nature of functional interfaces that drive energy conversion processes such as
CO 2 electroreduction and water splitting.
I will also discuss the application of cutting-edge scanning probe microscopy, which allows us to
visualize dynamic electrochemical processes at the nanoscale (operando imaging). Additionally, I will
highlight our use of unconventional strategies that leverage chiral molecules or magnetic fields acting
on abundant two-dimensional materials to enhance electrocatalytic conversion processes.
References :
Vensaus, P., Liang, Y., Ansermet, JP. et al. Enhancement of electrocatalysis through magnetic field effects on
mass transport. Nature Commun 15, 2867 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46980-8
Liang, Y., Banjac, K., Martin, K. et al. Enhancement of electrocatalytic oxygen evolution by chiral molecular
functionalization of hybrid 2D electrodes. Nature Commun 13, 3356 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-
022-31096-8
Y. Liang, M. Lihter, M. Lingenfelder, Spin-Control in Electrocatalysis for Clean Energy. Isr. J. Chem.
2022, 62, e202200052. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijch.202200052
Hai Phan, T., Banjac, K., Cometto, F. et al. Emergence of Potential-Controlled Cu-Nanocuboids and Graphene-
Covered Cu-Nanocuboids under Operando CO 2 Electroreduction. Nanoletters 21 (2021) 2059-2065 .
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c04703