April 7 - 11, 2025
Seattle, Washington
2025 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit

Symposium MT04-Rational Design of Electrocatalysts—Insights into Structure-Function Relationships for Next-Generation Materials

Unlocking the potential of electrocatalysis hinges on our ability to design materials with precise structural attributes that drive targeted functionalities. This symposium serves as a platform for the latest advancements in the design, characterization, and performance assessment of electrocatalysts with well-defined structures. By marrying theory with practice, the agenda is to provide insight into the structure and function of electrocatalysts, laying the groundwork for the informed design of next-generation materials. Reactions of interest will include CO2 reduction, water splitting, small molecule upgrade, ammonia synthesis, etc.

Key topics to be addressed, including 1) Advanced synthesis techniques yielding electrocatalysts with tailored architectures 2) Comprehensive strategies, including operando/in situ methods, for characterizing the surface and bulk properties of electrocatalysts, and 3)Theoretical models and computational tools for understanding electrocatalyst behavior.

The symposium will spotlight interdisciplinary contributions from academia, national labs, and industry, promoting a synergetic environment conducive to breakthroughs in material science. A curated roster of experts from varied backgrounds will be invited to present their pioneering work, ensuring a rich tapestry of perspectives on the nuances of electrocatalyst design. This gathering will not only shine a light on current research but will also chart a course for the future of electrocatalysis. Emphasizing the importance of structural precision, we aim to foster a narrative that will embolden researchers to conceive and realize electrocatalysts that are as effective as they are innovative. This symposium is positioned to be a cornerstone for those who stand on the frontier of materials research, advocating for the pivotal role of structure-informed design in the next era of electrochemical catalysts.


Topics will include:

  • Advanced synthesis methods for electrocatalysts
  • Operando and in-situ characterization of electrocatalytic systems
  • Theoretical and computational models in electrocatalysis (including machine learning and artificial intelligence)
  • Electrocatalysts for sustainable energy applications
  • Surface and interface science
  • Effects of electrode micro-environment in tuning catalyst performance
  • Well-defined catalyst materials

Invited Speakers:

  • Emily Carter (Princeton University, USA)
  • Yimo Han (Rice University, USA)
  • Adam Holewinski (University of Colorado Boulder, USA)
  • Tianquan Lian (Emory University, USA)
  • Hang Ren (The University of Texas at Austin, USA)
  • Marcel Schreier (University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA)
  • Francesca Toma (Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Germany)
  • Jesus Velazquez (University of California, Davis, USA)
  • Haimei Zheng (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA)

Symposium Organizers

Shoji Hall
Johns Hopkins University
Materials Science and Engineering
USA

Emil Hernandez
University of Delaware
Chemistry
USA

Megan Jackson
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chemistry
USA

Yao Yang
Cornell University
Chemistry
USA

Topics

extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) operando Raman spectroscopy reactivity surface chemistry surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)