The development of noble metal-free catalysts for various relevant applications (CO oxidation,_{CO2 methanation}, NOx reduction) represents a cornerstone of research at AK Bauer. As a group working in complex chemistry, we try to develop new catalyst systems through the targeted use of molecularly defined precursors in various preparation techniques and thus establish iron as a catalyst metal. Since the fundamental understanding of the relationship between structure and activity is the basis for the improvement and further development of catalysts, we use operando X-ray spectroscopy as a central tool for the structural and mechanistic investigation of these reactions.

In addition, we are working on the thermochemical storage of hydrogen by iron-based mixed oxides. Here, we mainly investigate the influence of various additives on the structure, activity and durability of the materials. Here, too, we use the advantages of element-specific X-ray spectroscopy and also investigate the hydrogen storage materials during the reaction.