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The 9th Irsee Symposium entitled “From Coadsorption and Catalysis at Solid Surfaces to Liquid–Solid Interfaces in Theory and Experiment”, sponsored by the Robert Karl Grasselli Foundation, took place at its traditional venue, the Schwäbisches Bildungszentrum in Irsee, Germany, on 16–19 June 2022.

In the Irsee Symposium, selected experts gather every few years to discuss recent progress, challenges, new directions, and frontiers in catalysis. After the moratorium imposed on us by COVID-19, all the participants especially enjoyed the lively meeting and face-to-face interactions.

Robert Karl Grasselli, a pioneer in selective oxidation catalysis and the founder, benefactor, and a pivotal figure in the earlier meetings of this series, was still greatly missed; his probing questions (along with those of John Thomas and others) are keenly remembered. Upholding this spirit at each meeting, the unique concept of bringing together well-seasoned scientists with those in their middle years and newcomers fosters new ideas and unconventional approaches.

Eva-Maria Hauck-Grasselli was as always the cornerstone of the gathering, guaranteeing that the meeting, funded by the Robert Karl Grasselli Foundation, proceeded smoothly and successfully. The scientific program was shaped by Hans-Joachim Freund, William A. Goddard III, Johannes Lercher, and Anthony Volpe.

Günther Rupprechter, Zdenek Dohnálek, and Anthony Volpe took charge of arranging for the proceedings to be published in Topics in Catalysis.

The meeting still reflected the imprint Bob has left in the field of catalysis, which continues to motivate studies, as addressed by several speakers. Especially, Ferruccio Trifirò referred to joint work with Bob, when presenting how biobutanol could be an ideal future fuel.

Newcomers for this Irsee IX Symposium were Cathy Chin, Susannah Scott, Yang Shao-Horn, Eranda Nikolla, Feng Jiao, Alexander Bandarenka, Jörg Libuda, Zdenek Dohnálek, Hans-Peter Steinrück, and Javier Perez-Ramirez.

Hajo Freund discussed model catalyst studies contributing to the fundamental understanding of surface processes, while Zdenek Dohnálek illustrated how surface science studies of anatase can explain adsorbate-adsorbate interactions. Cathy Chin presented complex kinetics to deal with the reaction environment in proton and hydride attack reactions.

Gianfranco Pacchioni suggested to “handle with care” DFT modelling of single-atom graphene-based electrocatalysis. Unni Olsbye described studies of diffusion and acid-catalyzed reactions in zeolites. Günther Rupprechter presented videos of ongoing surface reactions, identifying active sites by in situ photoemission microscopy and field emission.

Susannah Scott tuned the polarity of oxide surfaces to affect adsorption, diffusion, and catalysis. Yang Shao-Horn used regulation of oxygen activity to control reaction kinetics, while Javier Perez-Ramirez illustrated how nanoscale engineering can advance catalysis.

Ive Hermans compared surface and gas phase chemistry in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane. José Manuel López-Nieto discussed optimization of undoped and doped NiO catalyst for oxidative ethane dehydrogenation. Not too surprising, “Mr. Operando” Miguel Bañares examined mixed oxide catalysts for alkane activation by an operando approach.

Bill Goddard covered the symposium´s theme, discussing how theory and experiment add to the understanding of co-adsorption and catalysis at solid surfaces and liquid–solid interfaces. Hans-Peter Steinrück presented insights into the liquid–solid interface of supported ionic liquids.

Johannes Lercher emphasized the impact of water on the state, self-organization, and reactivity of interface molecules. Using model interfaces for catalytic energy conversion, Jörg Libuda connected surface science with solid/liquid and electrified interfaces. Eranda Nikolla discussed how to design nonstoichiometric mixed metal oxides for oxygen electrocatalysis at solid-liquid interfaces.

Timo Jacob dwelled on the role of surface oxides in Pt-based (electro-)catalysis, while Feng Jiao used electrocatalysis for carbon dioxide utilization. Employing electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy, Alexander Badarenka identified active electrocatalytic sites. Finally, Costas Vayenas described rules of chemical and electrochemical promotion in gaseous and aqueous systems in CO2 conversion to hydrocarbons.

Experts representing several nations participated in the 2022 symposium at Kloster Irsee, Germany. We are indebted to all of our participants for joining us and for contributing to the vivid and open exchange of ideas. The meeting was an enriching experience for all involved and the essence of the contributions is now shared in this special issue of Topics in Catalysis.