(photo) Electrocatalysts for water splitting

Hydrogen appears as a next-generation clean energy source to replace fossil fuels. One of the most promising ways to produce hydrogen is electrochemical (EC) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. To resolve the low efficiency of hydrogen production, a novel approach is necessary to make a breakthrough for a highly efficient catalyst system. We now focus on developing efficient water-splitting catalysts using transition metal oxides, hydroxides, and layered double hydroxides-based materials. Synthesized catalysts can be utilized in an anion exchange membrane water electrolysis  (AEMWE) stack cell system to produce a large amount of hydrogen fuel. We aim to enhance the AEMWE stack cell efficiency by systematically researching the relationship between catalysts, membranes, and all parts of the entire cell.

Current projects

• Development of transition metal hydroxide/oxide nanomaterials as an electrocatalyst for HER/OER (water splitting)

• Study on AEMWE single/stack cells and efficient operation technologies for AEMWE station

• Development of transition metal-based electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR)

• Development of transition metal-based electrocatalysts for NH3 oxidation reaction (AOR)

2-dimensional nanomaterials

We are studying two-dimensional nanomaterials such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C3N4) and their application to various optoelectronic devices such as gas sensors and photodetectors. 2D materials can be prepared by liquid exfoliation to make nanoparticles or platelets. They can also be synthesized by chemical vapor deposition to obtain high-quality and large-area mono-, bi-layer-thick thin films.

Research area

• Development of facile synthesis of large-area and high-quality 2D materials using CVD

• Development of 2D nanomaterials/3D metal oxide heterostructures and their gas-sensing properties

• 2D materials can be applied to electronic devices such as thermoelectrics, gas sensors, OLED, OPV, etc.