The electronic structure of a catalyst plays a pivotal role in governing its performance. Topological quantum materials (TQMs), known for their symmetry-protected electronic states, offer a unique platform to bridge solid-state topology and heterogeneous catalysis. When combined with chirality, TQMs give rise to novel material systems exhibiting distinct chiral phenomena, opening new avenues for the development of next-generation chiral catalysts [1].
Situated at the interface of condensed matter physics and chemistry, the emerging field of topological catalysis exploits the exotic quantum properties of TQMs to not only enhance catalytic activity and selectivity but also to enable fundamental studies of reaction mechanisms [2]. Our recent experimental and theoretical work demonstrates a direct link between spin-orbit coupling and the kinetics of oxygen electrocatalysis, including both the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions [3-4]. Furthermore, we show that external stimuli such as magnetic fields can effectively tune catalytic performance by modifying the topological features of the electronic structure. Together, these insights establish TQMs as a compelling framework for designing high-performance, field-tunable catalysts, with far-reaching implications from asymmetric synthesis to probing the origins of life.
References
[1] Wang, Xia, Changjiang Yi, and Claudia Felser, Adv. Mater. 36, 2308746 (2024)
[2] Wu, Xizheng, Xia Wang, and Claudia Felser, La Rivista del Nuovo Cimento, 1-33 (2025)
[3] X. Wang, M. Peralta, X. Li, P.V. Möllers, D. Zhou, P. Merz, U. Burkhardt, H. Borrmann, I. Robredo, C. Shekhar, H. Zacharias, X. Feng, & C. Felser, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 122 e2413609122 (2025)
[4] Wang, X., Yang, Q., Singh, S. et al. Topological semimetals with intrinsic chirality as spin-controlling electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. Nat. Energy, 10, 101–109 (2025)
Dr. Wang received her M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University, China, in July 2017, and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Technical University of Dresden, Germany, in December 2021. She joined the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (MPI-CPfS) as a postdoctoral researcher in February 2022, became a group leader in August 2022, and currently holds the position of W2 group leader in MPI-CPfS. Her research focuses on the design and application of topological quantum materials for catalysis, encompassing a broad range of processes such as CO2 reduction, oxygen and hydrogen electrocatalysis, and asymmetric catalysis. By integrating quantum physical phenomena with catalytic chemistry, her work pioneers new directions at the interface of condensed matter physics and chemistry.
The electronic structure of a catalyst plays a pivotal role in governing its performance. Topological quantum materials (TQMs), known for their symmetry-protected electronic states, offer a unique platform to bridge solid-state topology and heterogeneous catalysis. When combined with chirality, TQMs give rise to novel material systems exhibiting distinct chiral phenomena, opening new avenues for the development of next-generation chiral catalysts [1].
Situated at the interface of condensed matter physics and chemistry, the emerging field of topological catalysis exploits the exotic quantum properties of TQMs to not only enhance catalytic activity and selectivity but also to enable fundamental studies of reaction mechanisms [2]. Our recent experimental and theoretical work demonstrates a direct link between spin-orbit coupling and the kinetics of oxygen electrocatalysis, including both the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions [3-4]. Furthermore, we show that external stimuli such as magnetic fields can effectively tune catalytic performance by modifying the topological features of the electronic structure. Together, these insights establish TQMs as a compelling framework for designing high-performance, field-tunable catalysts, with far-reaching implications from asymmetric synthesis to probing the origins of life.
References
[1] Wang, Xia, Changjiang Yi, and Claudia Felser, Adv. Mater. 36, 2308746 (2024)
[2] Wu, Xizheng, Xia Wang, and Claudia Felser, La Rivista del Nuovo Cimento, 1-33 (2025)
[3] X. Wang, M. Peralta, X. Li, P.V. Möllers, D. Zhou, P. Merz, U. Burkhardt, H. Borrmann, I. Robredo, C. Shekhar, H. Zacharias, X. Feng, & C. Felser, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 122 e2413609122 (2025)
[4] Wang, X., Yang, Q., Singh, S. et al. Topological semimetals with intrinsic chirality as spin-controlling electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. Nat. Energy, 10, 101–109 (2025)
Dr. Wang received her M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University, China, in July 2017, and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Technical University of Dresden, Germany, in December 2021. She joined the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (MPI-CPfS) as a postdoctoral researcher in February 2022, became a group leader in August 2022, and currently holds the position of W2 group leader in MPI-CPfS. Her research focuses on the design and application of topological quantum materials for catalysis, encompassing a broad range of processes such as CO2 reduction, oxygen and hydrogen electrocatalysis, and asymmetric catalysis. By integrating quantum physical phenomena with catalytic chemistry, her work pioneers new directions at the interface of condensed matter physics and chemistry.
