Abstract: Low-dimensional (LD) organic-inorganic hybrids have recently emerged as exciting electrocatalytic nanomaterials in which the 0D-1D, 1D-2D or 2D-2D electrochemical interfaces can be finely tuned to generate unprecedented features that are not perceived in the individual counterparts (Scheme 1). 

Scheme 1. Low-dimensional heterointerfaces as emerging energy materials.

Low-dimensional interfaces have shown incredible advantages in regulating electron transfer, charge polarization, bonding energy and the adsorption energy of intermediates, thus markedly boosting crucial electrocatalytic parameters such as current density, onset overpotential and faradaic efficiency in many relevant energy conversion reactions including oxygen reduction (ORR), oxygen evolution (OER), and CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂RR). In this seminar, key learning points about the chemical aspects that govern the interfacial effects of low-dimensional hybrids in crucial electrocatalytic reactions will be provided based on both experimental and theoretical findings. The discussion will also cover an in-depth understanding of the heterointerface-electrocatalytic performance relationships as well as their impact for the fabrication of future energy-related devices.

Bio: Alain R. Puente Santiago received his Ph.D. degree in Physical-Chemistry with distinction (July 2017) from the University of Cordoba, Spain. He has worked as a Research Fellow in Prof. Goodenough’s group (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019) at the University of Texas at Austin in the development of nanocluster-based electrocatalytic materials. Currently, he is working as a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Chemistry at the Florida International University. He has published 67 articles in very prestigious journals such as Journal of the American Chemical Society (7), ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering (5), Journal of Materials Chemistry A (5), Angewandte Chemie (3), Nanoscale (3), ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (2), Green Chemistry (2), Chemical Society Reviews (2), Advanced Energy Materials (1) and Journal of Catalysis (1).Dr. Santiago’s articles have reached more than 2500 citations and an H index of 27 in the last 5 years. His research interests tackle the development of low-dimensional heterostructures for electrocatalytic, sensing, and energy storage applications.