Research report 2025 - Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids
Choreographing electrons to reshape chemical reactions
Authors
Wang, Xia; Felser, Claudia
Departments
Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Physik fester Stoffe, Dresden
Abteilung für Topologische Quantenchemie
Arbeitsgruppe Topologische Katalyse
Abteilung für Topologische Quantenchemie
Arbeitsgruppe Topologische Katalyse
Summary
Chemical transformations arise from the exchange and reorganization of electrons, whose motion is governed by symmetry and quantum mechanics. We use topological materials for heterogeneous catalysis, investigating how chirality, Berry curvature, and quantum degrees of freedom guide electron motion—much like a landscape channels rivers—leading to faster and more selective reactions.