Solar Fuels

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, a process hinging on harnessing sunlight to cleave water into its elemental constituents—oxygen and hydrogen—emerges as a highly promising avenue toward deriving clean energy, specifically hydrogen, an exemplary energy carrier. Distinguished by its potential to achieve a carbon-neutral footprint, this method capitalizes on the boundless resource of solar illumination, abstaining from carbon dioxide emissions. Within our research collective, our central focus resides in the optimization of catalyst design to elevate solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. Furthermore, we explore the realm of tandem devices, coupling photovoltaics with photoelectrodes, to pioneer the generation of solar fuels.

Transforming CO2 into Green Chemicals and Fuels

Electrochemical CO2 conversion using renewable electricity has the potential to contribute towards these ambitious goals by converting CO2 into valuable multi-carbon products for use in a low-carbon chemical sector. Our group endeavors center on extending carbon chain lengths up to C4+ through the direct utilization of CO2. To achieve this, we investigate cascade systems encompassing electrochemical, thermochemical, and biochemical reactions, all aimed at efficiently upgrading CO2 into long-chain hydrocarbons, obviating the need for subsequent separation steps.

Electrochemical Ammonia Oxidation Reaction

Electrochemical ammonia oxidation presents a compelling and economically efficient avenue for the removal of ammonia from wastewater. This method showcases a remarkable 95% decrease in energy consumption in contrast to water electrolysis, primarily attributed to its lower thermodynamic potential prerequisites. Despite its promising attributes, the process faces significant challenges, including heightened overpotential and vulnerability to poisoning induced by intermediates. In response to these challenges, our research group is dedicated to pioneering solutions through the development of high-performance electrocatalysts, specifically focusing on the design and optimization of nickel-based catalysts. Our objective is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of ammonia oxidation while simultaneously overcoming the barriers posed by overpotential and poisoning effects.

Design of Metal-Organic Frameworks-based Catalysts

MOFs-based catalysts, which allow the integration of multiple catalytic centers in their periodic structure, provide high surface area. Thus, it enables to offer of enhanced exposure of catalytic sites for chemical reaction at ambient pressure, and periodic pore channels further improve the diffusion of reactants and selectivity of target products.

Nanostructured metal(oxides)-based Electrocatalysts 

Nanostructuring stands as a pivotal strategy in enhancing the performance of water splitting and CO2 upcycling reactions. This approach capitalizes on the augmentation of active sites and swift charge transport, among other benefits. Our group's expertise lies in designing and creating nanostructured electrodes and catalysts, a skillset integral to diverse energy-related applications.