Topological quantum materials for high performance heterogenous catalysis

Date

Oct 9, 2025

Time

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Speaker

Xia Wang

Affiliation

Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids

Series

TUD nanoSeminar

Language

en

Main Topic

Physik

Other Topics

Physik

Host

Arezoo Dianat

Description

The electronic structure of a catalyst plays a pivotal role in governing its performance. Topological quantum materials (TQMs), known for their symmetry-protected electronic states, offer a unique platform to bridge solid-state topology and heterogeneous catalysis. When combined with chirality, TQMs give rise to novel material systems exhibiting distinct chiral phenomena, opening new avenues for the development of next-generation chiral catalysts [1].
 Situated at the interface of condensed matter physics and chemistry, the emerging field of topological catalysis exploits the exotic quantum properties of TQMs to not only enhance catalytic activity and selectivity but also to enable fundamental studies of reaction mechanisms [2]. Our recent experimental and theoretical work demonstrates a direct link between spin-orbit coupling and the kinetics of oxygen electrocatalysis, including both the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions [3-4]. Furthermore, we show that external stimuli such as magnetic fields can effectively tune catalytic performance by modifying the topological features of the electronic structure. Together, these insights establish TQMs as a compelling framework for designing high-performance, field-tunable catalysts, with far-reaching implications from asymmetric synthesis to probing the origins of life.
 
 References
 [1] Wang, Xia, Changjiang Yi, and Claudia Felser, Adv. Mater. 36, 2308746 (2024)
 [2] Wu, Xizheng, Xia Wang, and Claudia Felser, La Rivista del Nuovo Cimento, 1-33 (2025)
 [3] X. Wang, M. Peralta, X. Li, P.V. Möllers, D. Zhou, P. Merz, U. Burkhardt, H. Borrmann, I. Robredo, C. Shekhar, H. Zacharias, X. Feng, & C. Felser, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 122 e2413609122 (2025)
 [4] Wang, X., Yang, Q., Singh, S. et al. Topological semimetals with intrinsic chirality as spin-controlling electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. Nat. Energy, 10, 101–109 (2025)

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Last modified: Aug 4, 2025, 7:37:02 AM