通識教育講座領域：自然與工程科學

(1)主講者：Yoji Kobayashi

職稱：Associate Professor

服務單位：Chemistry Program, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

演講者學經歷：

Education:
Ph.D. Chemistry (2003-2008) Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University
B.A. Chemistry (Honors), (2002) Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College
Experience:
(2021~present) Associate Professor, Chemistry Program, King Abdullah University of Science and
Technology (KAUST)
(2018-2020) Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University

Research Areas:
Solid state chemistry, catalysis, hydrides, intermetallics, ammonia synthesis, high-entropy materials,
crystallography and structural analysis

大綱:

What can solid state chemistry do for catalysis?

Abstract

Heterogeneous catalysts have largely been characterized as metal nanoparticles supported on relatively innocent or simple supports such as Al2O3, SiO2, carbon, and others. Hence, the catalyst/support repertoire has been somewhat limited over the past hundred years, despite the breadth of the field and increasing demands from society. Usually, heterogeneous catalysis is seen as a surface phenomenon. However, fine tuning of the bulk structure of a material can lead to unusual electronic effects and participation of lattice species d the catalytic cycle, leading to new catalysts with unique mechanisms.
As a solid state chemistry group, we focus on new hydrides,1–5 carbides/nitrides,6–8 intermetallics,9,10 mixed anion systems, and high-entropy materials11,12 for reactions and catalysis. We have previously identified that hydrides in solids are unusually exchangeable, leading to many applications in hydrogenation catalysis and inorganic material synthesis. Additionally, intermetallics, an extremely diverse group of materials, exhibit many unusual properties due to their electronic structure, especially in terms of work functions and valence electron counts. Together, these form an immense undertapped reserve of materials for new catalysts and potential new chemical transformations. We will present some recent results on these materials.

(2)主講者：Prof. Huabin Zhang

職稱：Associate professor

服務單位：Associate Editor of Science Advances, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia

演講者學經歷：

Education:
Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry (2008~2013) Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), P.R. China.
Experience:
Associate Professor (2026~Present) Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia.
Assistant Professor (2021~2025) Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia

Research Areas:
Catalysis, Clean Energy Conversion, Electrocatalysis, Photocatalysis, Hydrogen Production, CO₂
Reduction.

大綱:

Pursuing Spatiotemporal Control in Heterocatalysis

ABSTRACT

The rational design of catalytic materials that combine high activity, selectivity, and durability under realistic operating conditions remains a central challenge.1 At the atomic and molecular levels, catalytic reactions proceed through complex, multistep pathways involving coupled proton–electron transfer, competitive adsorption, and dynamic restructuring of active sites. These processes span multiple spatial and temporal scales, from localized electronic interactions to mesoscale surface evolution and reactor-level transport. While advances in surface science, theory, and operando characterization have greatly deepened mechanistic understanding, theoretical and experimental efforts have often developed in parallel, probing isolated regimes rather than forming an integrated, predictive framework.
To address this gap, we propose “spatiotemporal control” as a unifying framework that connects catalytic phenomena across length and time scales.2 This concept captures the coupling between atomic-to-reactor spatial hierarchies and ultrafast electron transfer to slow structural evolution. Guided by this perspective, our research focuses on the origins of spatiotemporal complexity in heterogeneous electrocatalysis, statistical physics approaches linking atomistic and mesoscale behavior, and the interplay between equilibrium and non-equilibrium dynamics. Ultimately, spatiotemporal control provides design principles for next-generation catalytic systems, enabling the translation of fundamental insights into scalable solutions for clean energy and industrial applications.