Research output per year
Research output per year
Research activity per year
I am Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Bar-Ilan University. In 2022, I joined the group of Prof. Christophe Copéret at ETH Zurich as an FCS postdoctoral fellow, after my Graduate studies at Hebrew University.
My new group will focus on the fascinating intersection of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry. Our core mission is to leverage the power of heterogeneous catalysts to enable cleaner energy solutions, reduce emissions, and combat pollution.
Unveiling Catalysis at the Nanoscale
Our research lies at the intersection of heterogeneous catalysis, inorganic chemistry, and high-resolution spectroscopy, aiming to uncover why and how chemical reactions occur on solid surfaces at the nanoscale. We integrate advanced spectroscopic techniques, tailored material synthesis, and computational modeling to understand how structure and dynamics govern catalytic behavior. Our work centers on three main themes:
Nanoscale Mapping of Surface Reactivity
We develop and apply cutting-edge vibrational nanospectroscopies, including AFM-IR, sSNOM, and tip-enhanced Raman (TERS), to visualize chemical activity across individual catalyst nanoparticles. Using selective probe molecules, we generate spatially resolved maps that reveal how reactivity varies across different surface sites, shedding light on the role of surface heterogeneity in catalysis.
Structural Dynamics at Metal–Metal Interfaces
We investigate the structural evolution of bimetallic catalysts under reaction conditions. Through surface organometallic chemistry and in situ spectroscopy, we study how alloying, segregation, and interfacial restructuring impact catalytic behavior. These insights are essential for understanding the often-hidden role of dynamic interfaces in driving selectivity and activity.
ssNMR and NQR spectroscopy for studying single-site catalysts
We probe the local environments of active sites in both molecularly defined and nanoparticle-based catalysts via ssNMR and NQR spectroscopy. These methods provide unique fingerprints of oxidation states, ligand environments, and electronic structure. Coupled with isotope labeling and DFT calculations, we use these tools to connect local electronic features with catalytic performance in real-world systems.
Chemistry, PhD, Catalytic reactions via high-spatial-resolution IR measurements, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2016 → 2020
Organic Chemistry, Master's Degree, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2014 → 2016
Chemistry, Bachelor, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2012 → 2014
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
דרעי, ש. (Recipient), שארפ, פ. (Recipient), זאדה, ד. (Recipient) & פינטו, י. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Scholarship
חסון, מ. (Recipient), זילברג, פ. (Recipient), פייגנבאום-גולובין, ש. (Recipient) & דרעי, ש. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Scholarship