EXC 3120 BlueMat - Research Topic D4: Photo- and Electrocatalysis in Hierarchical Matter

Nature often performs complex catalytic reactions in confined spaces and hierarchical structures with the use of enzymes and membranes. In RT D4, we will develop Blue Materials that emulate the confined, hierarchical environments of biological systems to achieve unprecedented levels of catalytic performance. By combining material synthesis, characterization, and catalytic testing, we will leverage multiscale structures for optimized catalysis. We will unravel the complex behavior of reactants, including water, in confined spaces and their interactions with nanostructured materials. The key questions are: How do properties of water in confined spaces affect water- and proton-dependent reactions? How does confined space affect the EDL, the reaction activity and selectivity, and the properties of catalytic materials, reactants, and products? And how can we harness these properties to achieve more selective and durable catalysts?