ICN2 Hosts the Workshop "Emerging Electrocatalytic Reactions for a Sustainable Future"

by Chema Arcos

Held within the Severo Ochoa excellence programme, the event brought together leading experts to discuss advances in electrocatalysis for sustainable energy solutions.

On 20 March, ICN2 hosted a new edition of the Severo Ochoa Workshop series: “Emerging electrocatalytic reactions for a sustainable future”. Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed a diverse programme of talks, lab tours and round tables organised by ICREA Prof. María Escudero-Escribano and Dr Sebastián Murcia (NanoElectrocatalysis and Sustainable Chemistry Group).

Bringing together national and international researchers, the event focused on recent advances in electrocatalysis and its role in renewable energy and sustainable chemical production. Topics included theoretical modelling of electrocatalysts, the development of electrocatalytic systems for CO₂ reduction and renewable fuel production, the conversion of biomass into green hydrogen and value-added chemicals, and the design of nanomaterials for CO₂ conversion. Invited speakers were Prof. Núria López (ICIQ), Dr Ruud Kortlever (TU Delft, Netherlands), Dr Hui Luo (University of Surrey, United Kingdom), and Prof. Dr F. Pelayo García de Arquer (ICFO), who shared their latest advances with the audience.

Concluding with a round-table discussion moderated by Prof. Escudero-Escribano and featuring all speakers, the workshop fostered interdisciplinary exchange and new collaborations, reinforcing ICN2’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy technologies.

The workshop is part of the series organised within the framework of the Spanish Severo Ochoa Excellence Programme, Grant CEX2021-001214-S, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.