(6ck) Process-Informed Design of Electrocatalysts for Sustainable Chemical Transformations

The widespread adoption of increasingly affordable renewable energy sources, in tandem with the urgent need to mitigate CO₂ emissions, provides exciting perspectives for the electrification of processes in the chemical industry. In this context, my research is focused on the discovery, understanding and optimization of electrocatalysts for reactions of practical relevance, ranging from the synthesis of bulk chemicals and fuels from sustainable feedstocks (e.g., electrochemical CO₂ reduction) to investigating the use of electrocatalysis in the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Research Interests:

My main research interests comprise (a) the discovery of new materials and modification strategies in electrocatalysis, (b) the rationalization of catalytic behavior by unraveling reaction mechanisms and structure-performance relationships, and (c) the integration of catalysts into electrochemical devices that achieve high reaction rates. To this end, I aim to carry out a highly collaborative research program that benefits from a close synergy with computational and advanced characterization studies, and from the interaction with implementation-oriented researchers to understand constraints and requirements from a process point of view.

Teaching Interests:

I have developed my teacher skills as a TA in laboratory courses, and I am currently a co-lecturer in a graduate-level course at DTU. My aim as a teacher is to prioritize student engagement by adopting a hands-on, project-driven approach. I am particularly interested in using electrochemical devices as a platform to convey practical concepts related to heat and mass transfer, reaction kinetics, CAD, and manufacturing processes. I also aim to promote interest in chemical engineering and electrocatalysis among minority students and, as a group leader, I will strive to be an agent of change to make academic research a more open and welcoming environment for scientists from underrepresented groups.

Successful funding proposals:

- European Union Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA-IF) postdoctoral fellowship

- ETH Zurich Research Grant graduate fellowship

Education:

- Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

- M.Sc., Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

- B.Sc., Chemical Engineering, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela

Selected publications:

- G.O. Larrazábal, T. Shinagawa, A.J. Martín, J. Pérez-Ramírez. "Microfabricated electrodes unravel the role of interfaces in multicomponent copper-based CO₂ reduction catalysts". Nature Communications, 2018, 9, 1477

- G.O. Larrazábal, A.J. Martín, J. Pérez-Ramírez. "Building Blocks for High Performance in Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction: Materials, Optimization Strategies, and Device Engineering". Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2017, 8, 3933-3944

- G.O. Larrazábal, A.J. Martín, S. Mitchell, R. Hauert, J. Pérez-Ramírez. "Enhanced Reduction of CO₂ over Cu-In Electrocatalysts: Catalyst Evolution is the Key". ACS Catalysis, 2016, 6, 6265-6274

- A.P Amrute, G.O. Larrazábal, C. Mondelli, J. Pérez-Ramírez. "CuCrO₂ Delafossite: a Stable Copper Catalyst for Chlorine Production". Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2013, 52, 9772-9775

- T. Pielhop, G.O. Larrazábal, P. Rudolf von Rohr. "Treament of lignocellulosic biomass with aromatic chemicals as scavengers". European Patent EP 3158128 (B1), Issued March 06, 2019