Electrocatalysis and Energy Conversion
The research in the Antonia Herzog Group spans electrochemistry, from the design and study of electrocatalysts to the investigation of electrochemical interfaces and reaction mechanisms. The group’s main focus is sustainable chemical synthesis and energy conversion, with particular emphasis on understanding and controlling electrochemical processes that enable the transformation of abundant molecules such as carbon dioxide and other waste streams into valuable chemicals and fuels. By combining catalyst design, mechanistic insight, and advanced experimental approaches, the group uncovers fundamental relationships between catalyst structure, interfacial properties, and electrocatalytic performance, with the goal of bridging fundamental understanding and practical application.
Research
Our research seeks to uncover and control the fundamental processes that govern electrochemical transformations at complex catalyst–electrolyte interfaces. We focus on enabling the selective conversion of abundant and sustainable feedstocks, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and other waste-derived molecules, into valuable chemicals and fuels. By understanding how reactive intermediates form, evolve, and couple at electrified interfaces, we establish new strategies for directing chemical reactivity using electricity. This knowledge provides a foundation for designing catalytic systems that efficiently store renewable energy in chemical bonds and enable new pathways for sustainable chemical synthesis.
A defining strength of the group is the ability to directly observe catalytic processes as they occur. We develop and apply advanced operando and in situ spectroscopic methods, including Raman spectroscopy and plasmonic-enhanced approaches, to probe catalyst surfaces and electrochemical interfaces with high sensitivity under realistic reaction conditions. These techniques enable the identification of transient intermediates, the tracking of dynamic structural transformations, and the discovery of mechanisms that govern catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability.
By integrating mechanistic understanding with catalyst design and electrochemical engineering, we establish design principles for controlling electrocatalytic reactions with precision. This approach bridges molecular-level insight and functional system development, enabling scalable electrocatalytic processes that convert renewable electricity and waste carbon into essential chemicals and fuels. Through this work, we contribute to advancing sustainable chemical manufacturing and enabling the transition toward a carbon-neutral, electricity-driven chemical industry.
Contact
Antonia Herzog Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry anthe@kemi.dtu.dk