Metal exsolution is a synthesis route for supported metal nanoparticles that enables the activation of earth-abundant elements and the functionalization of oxide surfaces for versatile applications in catalysis. After more than a decade of research, considerable progress has been made in understanding metal exsolution pathways at the atomic level. Exsolution catalysts have demonstrated promise for in-situ regeneration, enhanced stability, and a reduced reliance on critical metals in energy conversion systems, contributing to sustainability goals. With a growing scientific community in this cross-disciplinary field, closer exchange among researchers is needed to clarify future directions and explore the next generation of exsolution catalysts. Therefore, the proposed symposium will bring together leading experts in heterogeneous catalysis, ceramic synthesis, and advanced materials characterization from both inside and outside the exsolution community. Topics will include not only recent breakthroughs in nanoparticle exsolution, but also a critical review of the current state of knowledge to refine the catalysts design principles followed in the community. The main goals are to identify shared challenges and synergies, clarify the role of metal exsolution in addressing key challenges in catalysis, and establish a common foundation in relevant thermodynamic and kinetic principles.
- Nanoparticle socketing, wetting and stability of metal ceramic interfaces
- Redox stability of exsolution oxides and reversibility of metal exsolution reactions
- Control strategies for tailored nanoparticle properties via exsolution reactions
- Performance descriptors in exsolution catalysts
- Future directions in metal exsolution for new functionalities
Dr. Kandis Leslie Gilliard-AbdulAziz is an Associate Professor and the Pasquale and Adelina Early Career Chair Professor in the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Southern California, where she directs the Sustainable Catalysis and Materials Laboratory. Her research focuses on the development of advanced catalytic materials and dynamic reactor systems for low-carbon chemical production and carbon management. Her work integrates chemistry, materials science, and chemical and environmental engineering to address challenges in sustainable catalysis, waste valorization, and environmental remediation, with particular emphasis on exsolved catalytic materials and integrated carbon capture and utilization systems.
Fabian Luca BuchauerAlfonso J. Carrillo holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering by Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain)—research conducted at IMDEA Energy. Then, he moved to the Electrochemical Materials Laboratory, first at ETH Zurich (Switzerland), and after at MIT (USA), where he was 2018 Eni-MIT Energy Fellow. He has been awarded with the Energy and Environmental Research Grant by Fundación Iberdrola, Juan de la Cierva Formación by the Spanish Ministry of Science, and Junior Leader Fellowship by Fundación LaCaixa. He has worked at ITQ (Spain) since January 2019, with a focus on the functionalization of redox oxides for energy storage and production of renewable fuels.
Dylan JenningsDr Kalliopi Kousi is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Surrey. Her research background is in Heterogeneous Catalysis and Materials Synthesis and Characterisation. She obtained her degree in Chemistry from the University of Patras, Greece in 2011, where she also got her MRes in 2013 and PhD in 2016. Her current research focuses around nanoengineering of materials for the conversion of greenhouse gases and the production of clean energy. She is also very interested in Science Communication and has been recognised for her work in the EDI space.
Dr. Jonathan M. Polfus is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology at the University of Oslo, a position he has held since 2021. He obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the same institution in 2012 and subsequently worked as a Senior Researcher in the Department of Sustainable Energy Technology at SINTEF. His research is founded in defect chemistry and solid-state ionics, with applications to metal exsolution and proton ceramic electrochemical cells.
Aleksandar Staykov