Yogesh Surendranath

Recognized for:
Developing a molecular-level understanding of polarization at electrified surfaces and new chemical reactions to decarbonize fuel production and chemical synthesis.

Areas of Research Interest and Expertise:
Electrochemistry, catalysis, inorganic chemistry, surface science

Previous Positions:

BS, Chemistry, University of Virginia (Advisor: W. Dean Harman)
BA, Physics, University of Virginia
PhD, Inorganic Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Advisor: Daniel G. Nocera)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science at University of California, Berkeley (Advisor: A. Paul Alivisatos)
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Paul M. Cook Career Development Chair, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Professor of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Professor of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Donner Professor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research Summary:

A large portion of global greenhouse gas emissions are from the synthesis of chemicals and materials using fossil fuels. Yogesh Surendranath, PhD, develops new methods for chemical and fuel synthesis with low carbon dioxide emissions. Through the study of the polarization characteristics of metallic surfaces, Surendranath has developed promising new pathways for harnessing renewable electricity to power key chemical transformations in chemical and fuel production. Surendranath is working with industrial partners to commercialize this technology and displace legacy processes that are highly polluting. 

Key Publications:

1. Melville, J. F.; Licini, A.J.; Surendranath, Y. ACS Cent. Sci. Electrolytic Synthesis of White Phosphorus Is Promoted in Oxide-Deficient Molten Salts. 2023.
2. Ryu, J.; Bregante, D. T.; Howland, W. C.; Bisbey, R. P.; Kaminsky, C. J.; Surendranath, Y. Nat. Catal. Thermochemical Aerobic Oxidation Catalysis in Water Can Be Analysed as Two Coupled Clectrochemical Half-Reactions. 2021.
3. Wuttig, A.; Yaguchi, M.; Motobayashi, K.; Osawa, M.; Surendranath, Y. Inhibited Proton Transfer Enhances Au-Catalyzed CO2-to-Fuels Selectivity. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2016.
4. Jackson, M. N.; Pegis, M. L.; Surendranath, Y. ACS Cent. Sci. Graphite-Conjugated Acids Reveal a Molecular Framework for Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer at Electrode Surfaces. 2019.

Other Honors:

2023 Blavatnik National Award Finalist
2020 Nobel Laureate Signature Award for Graduate Education, American Chemical Society
2019 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists & Engineers
2019 E. Bright Wilson Prize, Harvard University
2018 CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar
2017 Cottrell Scholar Award, Research Corporation for Science Advancement
2016 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow
2015 DOE Young Investigator Award
2015 AFOSR Young Investigator Award
2015 NSF CAREER Award

In the Media:

MIT NEWS – Study reveals a reaction at the heart of many renewable energy technologies

TechXplore – Model outlines how ionic blockades influence energy recovery in forward bias bipolar membranes

Science – Electrochemistry to the Rescue?

Chemical & Engineering News – Spontaneously arising electric fields affect reactions on catalyst particles in solution

Chemical & Engineering News – Eliminating the middleman improves production of clean-burning hydrogen fuel

MIT NEWS – Thermodynamic insights could lead to better catalysts

Chemical & Engineering News – Graphite-bound molecules combine best of homo- and heterogeneous catalysis