Research

Electrocatalysis

1. Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Facing the shortage of fossil resources and the environmental issues caused by excessive CO2 emission, it is of great significance to develop strategies to utilize CO2 in a sustainable manner. We are investigating electrocatalytic CO2 reduction technologies to synthesize carbon-neutral chemical fuels and feedstocks using renewable electricity. We perform theoretical calculations to screen novel catalysts. The results of theoretical calculations guide the synthesis of catalysts with finely tuned reaction sites and high performance. Based on the development of outstanding electrocatalysts, we optimize the integrating methods of the catalysts into electrolyzers. We design gas diffusion electrodes and membrane electrode assemblies to enable CO2 reduction to achieve industrially relevant performance metrics.

Current projects include:

●Synthesis of highly active electrocatalysts to convert CO2 into chemical feedstocks (e.g., ethylene, syngas) and renewable fuels (e.g., methane, methanol, and ethanol)
●Investigation of electrocatalysts and manipulation of multi-physics fields within CO2 reduction devices
●Design of novel reactors to break mass transfer limitations for the industrialization of CO2 reduction systems  

2. Electrochemical Production of Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen is the key to build up a carbon-neutral society. Electrochemical water splitting by renewable electricity is a promising way to obtain green hydrogen. We focus on the synthesis of inexpensive transition metal-based electrocatalysts to replace precious metal electrocatalysts for water splitting. Meanwhile, we study the direct electrolysis of seawater and design stable and corrosion-resistant catalysts to produce hydrogen. In order to improve the current density and stability of water splitting systems, our team also investigate the behavior of bubbles in the electrolyte. By regulating the fluid flow pattern, we seek to reduce the ohmic resistance drop, improve the energy conversion efficiency, and eventually achieve the long-term operation of the hydrogen production devices.  

Current projects include:  

●Electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction catalyzed by inexpensive transition metal-based electrocatalysts
●Corrosion-resistant catalysts for the electrolysis of seawater
●Modulation of the growth and desorption behaviors of bubbles  

3. Electrochemical Organic Synthesis

The pursuit of a carbon-neutral society requires innovative approaches, among which sustainable electrochemical synthesis stands as a key pathway for the efficient production of high-value chemicals and fuels. We are dedicated to developing highly selective electrochemical systems that replace energy-intensive thermal or chemical processes, focusing on the rational design of catalysts and the optimization of reaction engineering. We also focus on constructing energy-efficient coupled systems that pair cathodic reactions (e.g., CO₂RR) with anodic organic oxidation to replace the conventionaloxygen evolution reaction (OER), thereby simultaneously producing high-value products and significantly reducing energy consumption.

Current projects include:

●Catalyst and System Design for Electrocatalytic Conversion of Biomass and Feedstocks

●Electrochemical Reaction Engineering and Reactor Design for industrial scale-up

4. Engineering Electrochemical Stacks for Industrial Scale-Up

The industrial scale-up of electrochemical CO₂RR is critical to realizing a sustainable carbon cycle and a carbon-neutral society. We are dedicated to bridging the gap between laboratory research and practical application, focusing on the engineering of advanced reactors and the optimization of system integration. By assessing the long-term stability and efficiency of CO₂RR under industrial-relevant conditions, we aim to verify the feasibility of the process and accelerate the practical deployment of green chemical manufacturing.

Current projects include:

●Design and optimization of reactors and electrolyzers for electrochemical CO₂ reduction

●Development of robust pilot testing systems for process intensification and performance validation to assess the long-term stability and feasibility of the CO₂ electrolysis process