Welcome to the Hess research group

Where catalysts, gas sensors, and batteries meet physical chemistry

Our mission:

The laboratory of surface chemistry and in situ/ operando spectroscopy, led by Prof. Christian Hess, is a multidisciplinary research group that works on understanding the mode of operation of catalysts, gas sensors and batteries at a molecular level. Novel spectroscopic approaches are developed and applied to the characterization of materials under working conditions (operando approach). Relations between (defect) structure and activity/selectivity are studied by combining a variety of spectroscopic techniques. Controlled synthesis as well as nanoscale structuring using atomic-layer deposition enable the design of surfaces for applications in catalysis and alternative energy.

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Want to join our team?

We are offering a PhD position in Operando Spectroscopy on Environmental Gas Sensors!

Highly Ranked Scholar

Prof. Dr. Christian Hess is honored as a ScholarGPS Highly Ranked Scholar in spectroscopy.

ScholarGPS

What's new?

June 25, 2025

Kurt Ruths Prize for Leon Schumacher – Congratulations on this prestigious award!

Dr. Schumacher receives the € 12,000 award for his significant contributions to understanding and improving catalytic processes in propylene production.

May 16, 2025

Summer BBQ at Physical Chemistry: Sun, Science & Sausages

Click to check out more photos:

May 15, 2025

Congratulations, Johannes!

Johannes Pfeiffer receives the Master’s Award from the German Bunsen Society for an outstanding master’s thesis.

May 07, 2025

Check out our first paper on spatially resolved analysis:

We combine catalytic and Raman spectroscopic analysis within a profile reactor to gain new insight into the mode of operation of Cu/CeO2 catalysts.

April 30, 2025

New perspective article on selective oxidation catalysis

Based on the current state of knowledge the potential of transient spectroscopic methods for new mechanistic insight into selective oxidation catalysis is discussed.

April 30, 2025

Karl's farewell party

Celebrating Karl and his 16 years @ TU Darmstadt! (Click to see more photos:)

More news

More about us:

ScienceSlam Jan Welzenbach (in 360° – please adjust camera)

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Physikalische Chemiker und ihre LASER – Was machen die da eigentlich?