The 2007 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Gerhard Ertl for his detailed descriptions of how chemical reactions occur on solid surfaces. His research identified the molecular mechanisms behind the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis and the carbon monoxide oxidation used in automotive catalytic converters, fundamental advancements that underpin modern industrial chemistry and environmental technology.
Early Education and Academic Foundations
Born in Stuttgart in 1936, Ertl completed his early schooling at the Johannes-Kepler-Gymnasium before pursuing physics at the University of Stuttgart between 1955 and 1957. His education included international experience at the University of Paris during 1957 and 1958, followed by a tenure at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München from 1958 to 1959. He earned his Diplom in Physics in 1961 from the Technische Hochschule Stuttgart and secured his PhD from the Technical University of Munich in 1965, working under the guidance of Heinz Gerischer.
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Following his doctoral work, Ertl served as a lecturer at the Technical University of Munich until 1968. He subsequently transitioned to the Leibniz University Hannover, where he held a professorship until 1973. His career progressed through faculty roles at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and culminated in his position as director at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, a role he maintained from 1986 until his retirement in 2004. He also held honorary professorships at the Free University of Berlin, the Technical University of Berlin, and the Humboldt University of Berlin.
Contributions to Surface Science
Ertl utilized advanced observation techniques such as low-energy electron diffraction, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy to examine chemical processes. His findings explained atmospheric ozone destruction and optimized fuel cell technology. He was recognized for these contributions with numerous accolades, including the 1991 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the 1992 Bunsen Medal, and the 1998 Wolf Prize in Chemistry. His later professional activities included signing the 2015 Mainau Declaration on Climate Change and serving on the university council of the Technische Universität Darmstadt from 2008 until 2016.
Fast facts
- Born: 1936, Stuttgart, Germany
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry: 2007
- Wolf Prize in Chemistry: 1998
- Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize: 1991
- Academic focus: Surface chemistry and physics
- Education: University of Stuttgart, Technical University of Munich
- Affiliation: Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society
- Notable publication: My Life with Science (2023)
Questions readers ask
What is Gerhard Ertl's primary scientific contribution?
He provided the fundamental molecular understanding of how chemical reactions occur on solid surfaces, which explains processes like ammonia synthesis and the operation of catalytic converters.
Did Gerhard Ertl participate in climate change advocacy?
Yes, in 2015 he was one of the 76 Nobel Laureates who signed the Mainau Declaration on Climate Change, which was presented at the COP21 summit in Paris.
Achievements
- Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg — 2008
- Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany — 2008
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry — 2007
- Affiliated with Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Leibniz University Hannover and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Educated at University of Stuttgart, University of Paris and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Worked as physicist, chemist and university teacher
