Ferdi Schüth

Heterogeneous Catalysis – a Key Topic in Chemistry between Basic Research and Commercial

Heterogeneous catalysis is essential for chemical production and energy transformation, yet catalyst discovery remains largely empirical. While high-throughput experimentation—pioneered by the high throughput experimentation company in Heidelberg (hte)—has accelerated innovation, mechanocatalysis is also emerging as a sustainable breakthrough. By applying mechanical energy (e.g., ball milling), reactions achieve higher yields under milder conditions, including the possibility of running the Haber-Bosch process at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. This approach, now starting to transition to commercial use, promises more efficient and sustainable chemical synthesis.

Ferdi Schüth (Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany)

Janine Lichtenberger

Thin film Ag electrodes fabrication for sustainable and high-efficiency electroreduction of CO2 to CO

CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂RR) offers a promising route to valorize CO₂ as a source of carbon, with CO as a key industrial feedstock. While gold (Au) remains the benchmark catalyst, silver (Ag) is considered the best alternative. However, due to its considerable cost, the amount of Ag needed should be minimized for scalable applications. The approach presented is to develop sustainable, efficient Ag-based gas diffusion electrodes via sputter deposition and dry post-deposition modification, minimizing Ag usage while maintaining high activity, with current densities >20 mA·cm⁻² at –1.15 V vs. RHE and selectivity (>90% CO faradaic efficiency).

Our approach enhances porosity, roughness, and electrochemical surface area, with improved stability over 24-hour tests. This state-of-the-art, high-throughput, roll-to-roll compatible method enables precise control of morphology and composition, reducing material costs without sacrificing performance. Additionally, the technique supports deposition of different metals/alloys, expanding opportunities for scalable CO₂ reduction beyond CO production.

Janine Lichtenberger (AIT Vienna)

Daniela Söllinger

Hydrated Vanadium Oxide – a Promising Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion- and Sodium-Ion Batteries

While lithium-ion batteries dominate energy storage, limited lithium reserves and rising costs drive the search for alternatives. Sodium-ion batteries, though recently commercialized, still lag in performance. Hydrated vanadium oxide (V₃O₇·H₂O) emerges as a promising cathode material, enabling reversible Li⁺ and Na⁺ intercalation.

Through pre-intercalation, substitution, and composite formation, V₃O₇·H₂O’s electrochemical properties are optimized for both lithium- and sodium-ion systems, offering a promising solution to improve the performance of sodium-ion batteries.

Daniela Söllinger (Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, PLUS)

Peter Weinberger

Thermochemical Energy Storage – a Gamechanger to reach the goals of the EU Green Deal

The EU Green Deal mandates drastic carbon reductions across all sectors by 2050. While public focus often centers on transport and renewable energy, industrial process heat—largely fossil-fuel-dependent—accounts for a dominant share of energy use in the industrial energy consumption.

Thermochemical heat storage emerges as a transformative solution, leveraging reversible gas-solid reactions to store and recycle industrial waste heat by utilizing thermochemical heat storage materials (TCMs). This lecture highlights cutting-edge TCM research and application-driven investigations up to higher TRLs.

Peter Weinberger (Technical University of Vienna)