Johnson Matthey
University of Oxford

Accelerating clean energy catalyst development through advanced microscopy

Achieving net-zero targets by 2050 depends on the development of better catalysts for clean energy applications. Catalysts are materials that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed themselves, and are essential in the energy, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In nanoparticle form, a catalyst’s effectiveness is determined by multiple factors such as size, shape, strain, and composition, but scientists don’t yet fully understand how these work together.

To design better catalysts, scientists need to understand their structure at the atomic scale, which is best achieved using a technique called Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). This technique allows researchers to understand how specific atomic features are linked to catalytic behaviour. However, a major hurdle in STEM has been its low throughput, only able to analyse a handful of nanoparticles at a time.

Zaeem’s project aims to accelerate the rate of catalyst design by integrating quantitative 4D-STEM techniques with spectroscopic methods and automated data processing. His work will enable scientists to study thousands of particles instead of just a few, generating more accurate information and allowing the creation of better models to predict more effective catalyst nanoparticles.

This research will be crucial for supporting R&D efforts and improving our understanding of catalyst functionality. In doing so, it will accelerate the development of fuel cells as well as clean air and catalyst technologies, essential to achieving net-zero and building a more sustainable future.

Biography

Zaeem completed an MSci in Chemistry and Molecular Physics and a Year in Industry at Imperial College London. During his industrial placement at Diamond Light Source, he developed software in the microscope's native language to support atomic-resolution imaging, earning the 'Best in Scientific Software' award. Returning to Imperial for his final year, Zaeem received the 'Outstanding Overall Performance' award and won 'Best MSci Research Presentation for Computational and Theoretical Chemistry', with his work subsequently published in Faraday Discussions. This research alongside his experience working with microscopes at Diamond Light Source led him to Johnson Matthey, where he now leads advancements in microscopy workflows, contributing to catalyst and clean air technologies.