El-Harairy researches materials chemistry, organic physical chemistry, catalysis, and its energy and environmental applications. El-Harairy focuses on the synthesis of multifunctional electrocatalysts toward water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction reactions to hydrocarbons through the synthesis of new materials that have excellent catalytic performance to convert the carbon dioxide into useful products, which allows him to investigate the methods and materials that enhance the creation of more sustainable approaches to fight climate change.