Electrocatalysis
1. Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Facing the shortage of fossil resources and the environmental issues caused by excessive CO
2 emission, it is of great significance to develop strategies to utilize CO
2 in a sustainable manner. We are investigating electrocatalytic CO
2 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 CO
2 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
●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
●Corrosion-resistant catalysts for the electrolysis of seawater
●Modulation of the growth and desorption behaviors of bubbles