Bartłomiej Szyja is a Professor at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, affiliated with the Institute of Advanced Materials. He specializes in theoretical catalysis, focusing on surface reactivity and electrocatalysis to advance energy conversion technologies. His research explores the mechanisms of water splitting and CO₂ reduction, aiming to design efficient catalysts for sustainable applications. He is also involved in multiscale modeling to integrate different theoretical approaches and facilitate novel material discovery. He has authored 69 publications with over 1,000 citations. His recent projects include leading Artificial Leaf Based on Graphene (2017–2020) and contributing to H₂ HUB Nowa Sarzyna: Green Hydrogen Storage (2022–present).

 Lecture Title:

• Water Splitting at the Anode: Efficient hydrogen generation is crucial for artificial photosynthesis. Cobalt surface doping on hematite has been shown to reduce overpotential by modifying Fe activity rather than acting as a conventional co-catalyst. A single Co atom on hematite can achieve efficiency comparable to β–CoOOH, while further insights from Co₄O₄ clusters reveal a synergistic Co-Fe effect in stabilizing reaction intermediates.
• CO₂ Reduction at the Cathode: Electrons and protons from a secondary half-cell drive CO₂ reduction on a graphene-based electrode. With its high conductivity, stability, and low cost, graphene serves as an ideal electrode material. This lecture will explore reaction pathways, overpotential effects, and selectivity toward CO and formic acid, aiming to enable a closed CO₂ cycle powered by renewable energy.

Combining density functional theory (DFT) modeling with experimental insights, this talk will provide a mechanistic perspective on artificial photosynthesis, highlighting strategies to optimize electrocatalytic processes for sustainable energy conversion.