Heterogeneous Catalysis

The work of the group is concentrated on the synthesis and characterization of inorganic materials with an application focus in heterogeneous catalysis. Especially important are high surface area materials with controlled porosity and nanostructured catalysts. Reactions studied include model reactions, such as CO oxidation, and energy relevant conversions, i.e. methane activation, biomass conversion, ammonia decomposition and catalyzed hydrogen storage. This research is supported by studies into the fundamental processes governing solids formation.

Research Topics:

Mechanocatalysis

Mechanical energy input can drive chemical reactions. The group studies such mechanochemical reactions by using different types of ball mills. [more]

Electrocatalysis

Direct use of electrical energy is one of the key elements in the conversion of the chemical industry to a more sustainable production. The entry point into various value chains is water electrolysis to generate hydrogen. [more]

Nanostructured Catalysts

Solid catalysts are often structured on the nanoscale. Various methods are available to achieve such nanostructuring, including different templating pathways... [more]

Design of Meso- and Microporous Solids

Mesoporous solids have pores in the size range between 2 and 50 nm, microporous materials pores below 2 nm. A multitude of different micro- and mesoporous solids is known, such... [more]

Hydrogen Storage Materials

Hydrogen Storage is one of the key problems for the implementation of a hydrogen energy economy. Solid hydrides are possible alternatives... [more]

Biomass Conversion

Due to the expected depletion of fossil fuels, alternatives are required for the supply of our societies with fuels and alternative feedstocks for chemical production. Different types of biomass... [more]

FUNCAT

The Max-Planck-Cardiff-Center FUNCAT is a joint activity between three Max-Planck-Institute (Chemical Energy Conversion (CEC), Fritz-Haber-Institute (FHI), and Kohlenforschung(KOFO)) and the Cardiff Catalysis Center (CCI). It was established in 2020 with the vision to stronger integrate the catalysis activities of the four entities. [more]

Berkeley Professor honoured as Karl Ziegler Visiting Professor at the Kohlenforschung

May 22, 2023

Festive lecture with exciting catalysis concepts by F. Dean Toste and brand-new insights into Karl Ziegler's political mindset in his early career
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Catalysts of the energy transition

March 13, 2023

The Max Planck-Cardiff Centre Funcat lays the foundations for the systematic development of chemical reaction accelerators more

President elect visits our institute

December 07, 2022

Patrick Cramer will be the new president of the Max Planck Society from June 2023. He has now paid our campus in Mülheim a visit to speak to the directors and listen to the employees concerns and wishes. more

An exchange from which both sides benefit: School students of the Karl Ziegler Schule spend an experimental day at the MPI

November 25, 2022

Polymer chemistry is on the curriculum of secondary schools so that high school students are familiar to run reactions on polymerization in the school lab. But why not visit the place where a groundbreaking process for the production of plastics at low pressure was discovered? This becomes even more evident when you consider that Karl Ziegler – the namesake of the school – invented it just around the corner at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung.

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MPI für Kohlenforschung and Regler e.V. hand over 2500 Euro to Mülheim Tafel<br />

Heterogeneous Catalysis

Research Topics:

Mechanocatalysis

Electrocatalysis

Nanostructured Catalysts

Design of Meso- and Microporous Solids

Hydrogen Storage Materials

Biomass Conversion

FUNCAT

Berkeley Professor honoured as Karl Ziegler Visiting Professor at the Kohlenforschung

Catalysts of the energy transition

President elect visits our institute

An exchange from which both sides benefit: School students of the Karl Ziegler Schule spend an experimental day at the MPI

MPI für Kohlenforschung and Regler e.V. hand over 2500 Euro to Mülheim Tafel

Ferdi Schüth speaks about biofuel in the Science Center Futurium

The Art of Catalysis

Research Reports:

Links:

Resolv

IMPRS SurMat

IMPRS RECHARGE

TMFB