What we do today determines what the world will look like tomorrow.
Creating a sustainable future for nature and humanity on Earth - In the face of undeniable climate change, mainly caused by human greenhouse gas emissions, and the harmful effects associated with it, this goal is one of the overshadowing challenges of modern times. We take this goal to heart and develope novel electrolysis applications that can effectively store renewable energy and use it to produce important basic and fine chemicals.
Our activities include key topics such as the generation of green hydrogen, the direct conversion of excess CO2 and the electrification of complex organic reactions. In doing so, we look at electrolysis in a holistic way: From mechanistic elucidation using molecular electrocatalysts, to the production of optimized electrode assemblies, to customised electrolysis cells with industrial potential.
Our main research topics
The Apfel group works on transition metal based complexes with sophisticated ligands for the activation and conversion of small molecules.
One of the key steps in our pathway towards industrially relevant demonstrators is the generation of optimized electrode architectures by e.g. tailoring selected support materials, binder contents and types as well as post treatment methods.
We are specialized on the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts for various applications in electro- and thermal catalysis using methods such as wet-chemical precipitation, high-temperature syntheses, and mechanosyntheses to produce complex catalyst systems and composites based on transition metal sulfides, oxides and others.
Our many years of experience in the development of electrochemical reactors have enabled us to develop novel electrolysis cells for a wide range of applications and to scale them up to the size of industrially relevant electrolysis stacks.
Nature has developed sophisticated strategies for activating and converting small molecules. Drawing inspiration from these natural systems and integrating electrochemistry enables us to harness the efficiency and selectivity of biological processes, enhancing our understanding of natural mechanisms.
Electrification is emerging as one of the most promising strategies for reducing CO2 emissions in the chemical industry. While the electrochemical activation and production of small molecules like carbon dioxide (CO2, TRL 5-6) and hydrogen (H2, TRL 8-9) are already well-established with high Technology Readiness Levels, we are on the brink of a significant breakthrough in the conversion of more complex organic molecules.
* "Was wir heute tun, entscheidet darüber, wie die Welt morgen aussieht." Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1830 – 1916)
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Last update: Jan 31, 2025
