Professor Dr Robert Schlögl

Research priorities: heterogeneous catalysis, nanomaterials for energy conservation concepts, chemical energy conversion, energy transformation processes in nature
Robert Schlögl is a German chemist. In his work, he focuses on heterogeneous catalysis and materials for energy conservation concepts. His research has contributed substantially to a new understanding of catalytically active materials. Energy systems of the future as well as the complex challenges of the energy transition are additional areas of Schlögl’s focus.
One central aspect of Robert Schlögl’s work involves energy conversion processes in nature and the role played by catalysts in these processes. He researches foundational chemical reactions in order to make them useful for new energy systems. For instance, he works on converting light into electrical energy, on the development of hydrogen storage materials, on catalytic cleavage of water, and on further development of fuel cells.
Schlögl places particular emphasis on the sustainability of the catalysts he develops. The materials used should be sufficiently abundant and available in the world. He has also developed methods which reduce energy consumption through the usage of carbon nanomaterials. Likewise, he developed a method with which carbon nanomaterials can be used to substantially decrease energy consumption in the chemical industry. This would allow for the production of the basic chemical material styrene, from which polystyrene is made, using less energy.
Robert Schlögl’s work thus makes important contributions to the development of more efficient and sustainable technologies for obtaining, storing, and converting energy.