Speaker:
Prof. Kai Steffen Exner, University of Duisburg-Essen.
Tittle: Dynamic Functional Inorganic Materials under Operating Conditions
Time: 16:30 September 3rd, 2026 (Thursday)
Venue: Conference Room No.5, Building No.5
Host: Prof. Shenlong Zhao
Abstract:
The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key anodic process in electrochemical water splitting, yet its sluggish kinetics and dynamic catalyst surfaces remain major challenges for efficient hydrogen production. Under operating conditions, electrocatalysts can undergo structural and electronic transformations, making static descriptions insufficient for understanding their catalytic behaviour. In this lecture, I will discuss how computational modelling, operando characterization and controlled materials synthesis can be integrated to understand reactive catalyst states at electrified interfaces. Particular emphasis will be placed on realistic surface models, mechanistic diversity in OER pathways, and compositional and electronic effects on catalytic performance. These insights demonstrate how experiment–theory integration can guide the rational design of electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion.
Info.:
Prof. Kai Steffen Exner received his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany, in 2015. After postdoctoral research supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, he joined the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), where he is currently a Professor of Theoretical Catalysis and Electrochemistry. His research focuses on theoretical electrocatalysis, with particular emphasis on oxygen/chlorine evolution reaction, CO2 reduction, and atomic-scale modeling of electrochemical interfaces. As an independent PI, he has published over 130 peer-reviewed articles, including in leading journals such as Nat. Commun., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Acc. Chem. Res., and Mater. Today. He has been recognized as one of the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists and has received several prestigious awards, including the Nernst Haber Bodenstein Award and the PCCP Emerging Investigator Award.
