RESEARCH
Research Overview
Prof. Xiaolei Wang's NanoFACE research laboratory is interested in nanotechnology and clean energy technologies. We design and develop advanced nanostructured materials with controlled morphology and microstructure, and apply these materials towards clean energy technologies. Our goal is to correlate the electrochemical performance of clean energy technolgies with materials' morphologies and microstructures.
We build upon our knowledge from the fundamental studies and understanding of mechanisms, and aim to develop high-performance clean energy technologies, including lithium-ion batteries, sodium (and other alkaline)-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, supercapacitors, aqueous batteries, and electrocatalysis systems such as metal-air batteries, water electrolyzer, and systems for electrochemical CO2 reduction.
Research Keywords
Energy Materials Design, Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Supercapacitors, Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Rechargeable Aqueous Batteries, Zinc-Ion Batteries and Supercapacitors, Battery Recycling and Upcycling, Sodium (and Other Alkaline)-Ion Batteries, Supercapacitors, Electrocatalysis, Water Splitting, Electrocatalytic H2O2 Generation, Metal-Air Batteries, Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction.
Research Topics
1. Rational Design and Development of Nanoarchitectured Materials
(i) Nanostructured Metal, Transition Metal Oxides/Sulfides/Nitrides, Composite Materials
(ii) Porous Materials, Self Assembly
(iii) Nanostructured Semiconductors, Quantum Dots/Wires
(iv) Polymers and Polymer Composites; Carbon Materials
2. Clean Energy Technologies
(i) Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion Systems: Lithium-ion Batteries, Supercapacitors, Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Sodium-ion Batteries, Multivalent Ion Batteries, Aqueous Battery Systems
(ii) Electrocatalysis: Metal-Air Batteries, Water Splitting, Fuel Cells
(iii) Photovoltaics/Photocatalysis/Electrochromics: Solar Cells, N2 and CO2 Reduction and Conversion
3. Fabrication of Devices
(i) Wearable Devices
(ii) All-Solid-State Devices
(iii) Smart Composites/Devices