Research

The properties of a catalytic material emerge from its composition, local structure, interfaces, defects, and interaction with the reaction environment. We design and synthesize materials in which these features can be controlled at the atomic and nanoscale. A major focus of our research has been the development of single-atom catalysts, where isolated metal sites provide an opportunity to establish fundamental relationships between local coordination, electronic structure, and catalytic function.

Catalytic materials are dynamic. Their active structure may evolve under realistic reaction conditions and can differ substantially from the material characterized before or after a reaction. We therefore seek to understand catalysts while they function. Our research combines in-situ and operando spectroscopy, advanced microscopy, kinetic analysis, molecular modelling, and theoretical chemistry to reveal the relationship between material structure and chemical reactivity. Particular attention is given to identifying active-site structures, electronic and geometric changes under reaction conditions, reaction intermediates, and the origins of activity and selectivity.

Catalysis provides a powerful platform for converting molecules and energy with high efficiency and selectivity. We develop thermal, electrochemical, photochemical, and hybrid catalytic processes for transformations in which improved catalyst design can reduce energy consumption, waste generation, and dependence on scarce resources. Our research spans carbon and renewable-feedstock conversion, valorization of waste and bio-derived molecules, light-driven chemistry, electrocatalytic transformations, selective hydrogenation and oxidation, and sustainable routes to high-value chemicals. A growing direction of our research is the application of atomically engineered materials and intensified reactors to transformations relevant to energy, carbon management, and circular chemical manufacturing.

A catalyst becomes a technology only when its performance can be translated beyond the laboratory-scale material. We develop reaction-engineering approaches that bridge the gap between catalyst discovery and process implementation. Our work includes continuous-flow systems, microstructured and structured reactors, additive manufacturing, catalyst shaping and formulation, electrochemical and photochemical reactors, process intensification, and modelling. We are particularly interested in understanding how catalyst architecture and reactor design can be developed together to enhance mass and heat transfer, photon utilization, electrochemical performance, productivity, selectivity, and scalability.