Winner: 2025 PCCP Emerging Investigator Lectureship
Kai S Exner
University of Duisburg-Essen
Winner: 2025 PCCP Emerging Investigator Lectureship - for outstanding contributions to physical chemistry, chemical physics, or biophysical chemistry in their early career

Kai S. Exner received his Ph.D. in Physical ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ from Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany. He conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Ulm, Germany and Sofia University, Bulgaria before he was appointed Professor for Theoretical Catalysis and Electrochemistry at University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed research articles, most of them as corresponding author.
Exner's group is working on the theoretical description of electrified solid/ liquid interfaces with a particular focus on catalytic processes in electrolyzers, fuel cells, or batteries. He is applying density functional theory calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, microkinetic approaches, or descriptor-based analyses to model proton-coupled electron transfer steps with application in energy conversion and storage. His work has advanced the scientific discipline of electrocatalysis by developing new concepts and approaches with a focus on the atomic level.
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