Two UChicago PhD Students Look to Advance the Future of Electrocatalysis
Two UChicago PhD candidates are steering their research with electrocatalysis toward a brighter, more sustainable future.
Sophie Anferov (‘24) and Maia Czaikowski (‘25), who work in the Anderson Lab, are opening a path in electrochemistry that aims to move past the conventional boundaries of small molecule transformations and embrace the nascent field where electrochemical potential fuels organic synthesis.
In their recent paper published in Chemistry Catalysis titled, “Metal-Ligand Cooperativity in Chemical Electrosynthesis”, the duo shed light on the underutilization of electrochemistry in industrial settings, highlighting the pivotal role electrochemistry can play in crafting a greener, more eco-conscious industry.
"We envision electrochemistry becoming an integral part of every chemist's toolkit, offering a customized, efficient, and sustainable approach to chemical synthesis," says Anferov.
Both Anferov and Czaikowski see electrochemistry as a direct manifestation of using electricity as a reagent, aligning seamlessly with the shift towards sustainable chemical practices. They write that with the right exposure, electrochemistry will only get bigger as access to electrochemical potential is increased.
“I think that there's not enough of it out there,” says Anferov. “We want people to give electrocatalysis a chance when they have something that they think can do some cool chemistry with and need a way to drive it.”
Much of electrochemistry deals with simple molecules like CO2, but in their paper, which serves also as a comprehensive review of the electrochemical process, the authors aim to bring electrochemistry into the domain of more complex transformations.
They envision a paradigm shift where electrochemical potential becomes the primary driver of intricate organic reactions instead of finite sources of energy, stating that “improving chemical synthesis is inherently caring about sustainability.”
Notably, by culminating diverse strategies and examples from their lab and beyond, their paper delivers a historicized view of electrochemical advancements and pays homage to the collective efforts of researchers worldwide who are propelling electrochemistry into new frontiers.
"We wanted to compile examples of people pushing electrochemistry beyond its traditional confines, showcasing its potential in driving a wide array of reactions," says Czaikowski.
Asked if any groups are working with electrocatalysis they currently admire, they cite the Stahl Research Group at UW-Madison for not only their chemistry but their ability to produce papers that contextualize their research among a global effort.
“You read one of their papers and you come out with so much more information because they've done all of that for you,” said Czaikowski.
It’s an approach that the duo have adopted in their own paper, as anyone who reads their work will walk away with a deeper understanding of what electrocatalysis can do.
At the core of their approach lies the concept of metal-ligand cooperativity, a potent synergy that amplifies the reactivity of transition metals, particularly first-row metals, such as Iron, Copper, Nickel and Zinc, are abundant in nature.
"Metal-ligand cooperativity unlocks greater capabilities, enabling us to delve into complex transformations with unprecedented precision," Czaikowski elaborates.
“The idea is that your transition metal is very powerful and a lot of reactivity that can occur just on a metal center with a substrate,” said Czaikowski, “But when you add on ligand design, which is a more organic synthesis problem, you unlock even greater capabilities. You can have redox-active ligands, which can store electrons or proton-storing ligands, and it increases the capability that you have with your catalyst.”
While the paper demonstrates the duo’s knowledge of hard science, their paper is intended to make their strategies attractive to fellow researchers.
“With an electrochemical setup, it's attractive because it’s tunable. You can tune a lot of fine granularities across a spectrum. It's a lot more of a customized approach to doing chemistry,” said Anferov.
“We're trying to promote that it's attractive because there's a sort of barrier to entry. And while there's going to be a learning curve for the whole field, we think that the opportunities far outweigh the challenges,” she continued.
Their paper not only encapsulates a historicized view of electrochemical advancements but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for budding researchers. For the duo, they say the possibilities with electrocatalysis are endless.
Asked what outcomes they envision from their work, Czaikowski states, "We want our work to inspire others to explore the vast potential of electrochemistry, especially in drug targeting and fine-tuning molecular structures.”
“We would like people to treat (electrocatalysis) the way they feel about photocatalysis now,” concludes Anferov. “It's another way to drive reactions that can allow you to access unique products.”