Axel Knop-Gericke

Dr. Axel Knop-Gericke is a Research Professor and Group Leader of the Electronic Structure group at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society (MPG) in Berlin. Since 1998, he has led research focused on heterogeneous reactions, inorganic spectroscopy, molecular catalysis, and electrosynthesis. His work bridges theoretical and experimental approaches to understand catalytic and electrochemical processes.

Education:

• Bachelor's/Master's in Physics, Technical University of Berlin (-1989)
• PhD in Physics, Technical University of Berlin (1995)

Research Interests: Dr. Knop-Gericke’s research emphasizes electronic structure analysis of catalytic materials, particularly in energy-related systems like CO₂ reduction and fuel cells. His team employs advanced spectroscopic techniques (e.g., XPS, XANES) to study surface reactivity and interface dynamics in electrocatalysts and oxides. Key themes include catalyst design, degradation mechanisms, and operando characterization.

Publications: His recent work spans over 150 scientific articles, with a focus on electrocatalytic systems, oxygen evolution reactions, and advanced material characterization. Notable contributions include studies on Cu-based catalysts for biomass conversion and IrOx systems for water splitting.

Lab/Team: The Electronic Structure group collaborates widely with institutions like TU Berlin and MPI CEC, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to tackle challenges in sustainable energy and materials science.