Electrochemical processes offer an appealing way to store intermittent energy produced by renewable electricity sources and sustainably produce chemicals that are currently derived from petroleum. It is well known that the performance of these processes is affected not only by the composition and structure of the (electro)catalyst used, but also by the electrolyte in which the reaction is run. In particular, the choice of electrolyte cation markedly impacts catalytic activity for many critical reactions. But the reason behind these changes remains disputed.
Joaquin Resasco,
University of Texas at Austin
In this talk, I will describe a physical model we have developed that helps rationalize these effects. We propose that the electric field present at the catalyst surface is sensitive to the identity of the cation in the electrolyte. This interfacial field alters the energetics of the reaction and consequently rates. These concepts help deepen our understanding of catalysis at electrochemical interfaces and provide new tools for designing high efficiency fuel cells, electrolyzers, and electro-synthetic cells.
Joaquin Resasco was born in Mar del Plata, Argentina. He completed his B.S. at the University of Oklahoma, and his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley under the guidance of Prof. Alex Bell. At Berkeley, he was an NSF and UC Chancellor’s Fellow. Following his Ph.D., Joaquin was a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Santa Barbara with Prof. Phil Christopher. In 2021, Joaquin became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Joaquin is the recipient of the DOE Early Career Award, the NSF CAREER award, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Young Investigator Award, the ACS PRF Doctoral New Investigator Award. He is a part of the Forbes 30 Under 30, AIChE’s 35 under 35, and AIChE’s Pioneers in Chemical & Reaction Engineering.