Research Areas Electrochemistry, Electrocatalysis, Energy Conversion & Storage, in situ Analysis

Research Interests Fundamental Electrochemistry for Energy Applications
The efficiency of energy conversion (electrocatalysis for fuel cell, water electrolyzer, CO2 capture/conversion, and H2O2 generation) and energy storage (organic and aqueous electrolyte batteries) is predominantly determined by electrochemical properties that regulate interfacial charge transfer and various molecular interactions. These fundamental reactions play a pivotal role in practical applications, including renewable energy conversion and storage, chemical or fuels production, and so on. Considering that the overall electrochemical performance relies on a deep understanding and strategic design of electrocatalytic materials and reaction environments, our research group focuses on both elucidating fundamental reaction mechanisms and applying our findings to real-world technologies.

Electrochemical Energy Engineering and CO2 Utilization
With the increasing availability of renewable electricity, many industries are transitioning to electrification to reduce their carbon footprint. However, chemical manufacturing faces challenges, as conventional thermochemical routes are often difficult to electrify. Our research group is developing electrocatalytic technologies to produce chemical fuels and feedstock using renewable electricity and water. We conduct fundamental studies on catalyst materials and work toward their integration into full electrolyzer systems. Our efforts extend to engineering gas diffusion layers and membrane electrode assemblies with industrially relevant performance metrics. We aim to apply this approach to various electrochemical routes with high potential, including: 1) The conversion of CO2 into chemical feedstock and renewable fuels, along with carbon capture from air, 2) The upgrading of hydrocarbons and low-cost feedstock into high-value chemicals, and 3) The development of electrocatalysts and interfaces for efficient energy applications.

Selected Publications “Durable and Active Nitrogen-Coordinated Iron Single-Atom Catalyst for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Through Carbon Encapsulation” Advanced Energy Materials 14 (2024) 2400565.
“Electrochemically generated electrophilic peroxo species accelerates alkaline oxygen evolution reaction”, Joule 7 (2023), 1902-1919.
“Supramolecular tuning of supported metal phthalocyanine catalysts for hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis”, Nature Catalysis 6 (2023) 234-243.
“Carbon Shell on Active Nanocatalyst for Stable Electrocatalysis”, Accounts of Chemical Research 55 (2022) 1278-1289.
“Atomic-level Tuning of Co-N-C Catalyst for High-Performance Electrochemical H2O2 Production”, Nature Materials 19 (2020) 436-44.