Dr. Hans-Joachim Freund is a distinguished physical chemist and emeritus director at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in Berlin, where he shaped surface and interface science research for over two decades. Born in Solingen in 1951, he earned his doctorate in physics and chemistry from Cologne University in 1978 followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania. His academic career progressed through professorships at Erlangen University and Ruhr-Universität Bochum before his appointment as Director and Scientific Member at the prestigious Fritz Haber Institute in 1996. Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Freund has maintained honorary professorships at multiple German universities including Bochum, Berlin Free University, Berlin Technical University and Berlin Humboldt University.
Professor Freund pioneered advanced methodologies for studying model catalysts and heterogeneous catalytic systems, establishing his department as the world's leading research team in investigating supported metal and oxide nanoparticles with respect to electronic structure and chemical reactivity. His group developed novel experimental techniques and instruments to examine oxide surfaces and metal oxide interfaces, applying the full repertoire of surface analytical spectroscopy to solve fundamental problems in catalysis. With over 815 scientific publications accumulating more than 45,000 citations, his work has fundamentally transformed understanding of catalytic processes at the molecular level, particularly in the field of surface science. The practical applications of his research span energy conversion, environmental protection and industrial chemical processes, demonstrating the profound impact of his fundamental investigations on real-world technological challenges.
Beyond his research contributions, Professor Freund has profoundly influenced the global catalysis community through extensive mentorship, having educated more than 130 PhD students and collaborated with over 80 postdoctoral associates throughout his career. He holds three honorary doctorates and membership in six prestigious academies including the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, reflecting his international recognition. His numerous accolades include the Gaede-Langmuir Award from the American Vacuum Society, the Michel Boudart Award for the Advancement of Catalysis and the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Award from the German Science Foundation. As Professor Emeritus since 2019, he continues to contribute to the field through international collaborations and advisory roles, maintaining his position as a leading authority whose work continues to guide the next generation of surface scientists and catalysis researchers worldwide.
