פרופ' ליאור אלבז

The dependence of the free world on fossil fuels is increasing rapidly, whereas the world’s reserves are diminishing. Moreover, the effect of using such fuels on climate change, public health and nature is detrimental. The best way to reduce this dependence and even eliminate it is the further development of renewable energy technologies such as solar cells and fuel cells, which have the potential to power our automobiles, households and industry. In order for them to take over the energy market, scientific breakthroughs are needed.

The advancement in the commercialization of fuel cells is hampered by the high cost of their components, and especially the catalysts - Pt in most cases. Although it is the premium catalyst both at the anode and cathode of most low temperature fuel cells, the notion that even the most ingenious improvements in platinum nano-structure and alloying synthesis cannot dispel the issue of this catalyst scarcity and cost escalation, it is a prudent endeavor to develop inexpensive catalysts for oxygen reduction (ORR) which can be obtained from abundant and sustainable sources in order to realize the eagerly anticipated mass commercialization of fuel cells.  

Since the discovery of their ability to catalyze the ORR and up until today, there has been a continuous growth in the interest in macrocyclic compounds. Researchers in various fields, from biology to physics and chemistry, have investigated the ORR mechanism and modified the macrocyclic structures and transition metal complexes to achieve better catalytic performance. While good catalytic activity was demonstrated under certain conditions, further development is needed in order to make them competitive with platinum based catalysts.

Our projects aim at developing bio-inspired catalysts for ORR as well as improving precious metal based catalysts for fuel cells. We also study and develop new materials for fuel cell s and batteries that could extend their durability and increase their activity. We are looking for excellent, motivated PhD students and postdocs who are willing to take on the task of making this world cleaner and better. We are currently looking for exceptional candidates from the fields of electrochemistry, inorganic chemistry and materials chemistry.

Research Interest (in no specific order):

1. Electrochemistry.
2. Bio-inspired electrochemistry
3. Alternative energy technologies (fuel cells, batteries and photovoltaics).
4. Organometallic compounds.
5. Conductive polymers.
6. Porphyrins and transition metal complexes.
7. Ceramic materials.
8. Semiconductors.
9. Carbon supports for alternative energy applications (electrodes, electron acceptors).