Dear colleagues,
let me invite you to the next institute seminar on Thursday 5th November 2026 at 10:00 in Meeting room 101. This week presentation will be done by:
Prof. Zdeněk Sofer
Prof. Zdeněk Sofer has been a tenured professor at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic, since 2019. He received his PhD from the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague in 2008. During his doctoral studies, he spent one year at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany, and later completed a postdoctoral stay at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany.
His research focuses on the chemistry of 2D materials, including crystal growth, exfoliation, intercalation, chemical modification and derivatization. His work covers a broad range of applications, including electronics, energy storage and conversion, catalysis and sensing devices. Prof. Sofer has received several scientific awards and has authored more than 840 publications, which have received over 35,000 citations, with an h-index of 97.
Abstract: 2D Materials from growth to application in electronic and energy storage
Two-dimensional materials offer exceptional diversity in composition, structure and properties. Their versatility can be further expanded by layer stacking, twisting, intercalation and chemical modification, enabling unique electronic, optical, magnetic and mechanical behaviour. This diversity requires tailored approaches to crystal growth, exfoliation and post-synthetic functionalization. This contribution will discuss synthesis and crystal-growth strategies for different classes of 2D materials, including chalcogenides, halides, chalcogen-halides and related layered compounds. Particular attention will be paid to how growth conditions, precursor chemistry and defect control influence crystal quality, phase purity and functional properties. Exfoliation methods, especially those based on intercalation, will be presented as powerful tools for obtaining large-area monolayer flakes as well as bulk intercalated compounds with tunable electronic and structural characteristics. Chemical exfoliation strategies for layered materials with stronger interlayer or partially covalent bonding will also be highlighted.
Finally, selected applications of 2D materials will be discussed, including electronics, energy storage, catalysis and sensing. The presentation will emphasize the connection between controlled synthesis, chemical engineering and practical device-relevant performance, illustrating the potential of 2D materials from fundamental growth to technological implementation.
We look forward to seeing you.
