Broadly, our research program targets new materials that contribute to decarbonization, clean energy, and quantum information technologies. A special focus in our group is to bring molecular precision in the synthesis of single-site catalysts that transform abundant molecules (i.e. N2 or CO2) into compounds poised to play central roles in a green economy (i.e. NH3, C–C products). Our distinctive approach is to employ molecular strategies to embed well-defined catalytic sites on the surface of van der Waals inorganic nets and atomically precise clusters. These platforms foster structural and electronic cooperativity between active site and support, offering the potential to maximize catalytic activity and selectivity. This vision is part of the rapidly emerging field of nanoscale catalysis, found at the confluence of nanomaterials, molecular chemistry, and physics, and is an area ripe for discovery and poised for impact.
Our research program addresses three central challenges: 1) structural fidelity and atomic precision of the active site, 2) atomistic insights into the metal/support interface and the phenomena underpinning active site/support cooperativity, 3) total synthesis of inorganic materials with programmable functions and structures.
Learn more about our work in this short presentation by Prof. Velian as part of the 2022 C&EN Talented 12 Symposium:
Just for fun. In 2021, a few talented graduate students in the group put together this video about the group and the chemistry we do. Check it out here!