To decarbonize existing fossil fuel-based energy and chemical production systems, a large-scale transition to renewable energy is required. This transition demands innovative and highly efficient electrochemical devices capable of storing and converting renewable energy. The core of these devices is the elementary chemical reaction at the electrode-electrolyte interface, which determines their macroscopic efficiency. Thus, to develop next-generation devices and enhance their efficiency, we must create strategies to manipulate these interfacial properties. However, our understanding of the processes occurring at the smallest scale in these interfacial regions is still limited.

In this context, our group focuses on investigating and manipulating the interfacial regions where electrochemical/photochemical reactions occur. Our research follows a general trajectory: 1) synthesize electrode material and prepare proper model systems, 2) conduct mechanism studies to better understand complex interfacial phenomena and identify the factors limiting efficiency, and 3) evaluate performance by manipulating key factors identified in the previous step, aiming to discover new design principles for further optimization. This approach allows us to move beyond a simple trial-and-error method, providing students and postdoctoral scholars with a solid understanding of underlying electrochemical processes, along with a broad range of experiences in synthesizing nanomaterials with various forms and analyzing interface with diverse characterization tools.

Outlined below are some specific topics currently being explored in the group:

Related papers

Sunghak Park†, Taehwan Jang†, Seungwoo Choi†, Yoon Ho Lee, Kang Hee Cho, Moo Young Lee, Hongmin Seo, Hyung Kyu Lim, Yujeong Kim, Jinseok Ryu, Sang Won Im, Min Gyu Kim, Ji-Sang Park, Miyoung Kim, Kyoungsuk Jin, Sun Hee Kim, Gyeong-Su Park, Hyungjun Kim*, and Ki Tae Nam*, “Iridium-Cooperated, Symmetry-Broken Manganese Oxide Nanocatalyst for Water Oxidation” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 145 (49), 26632-26644 (2023). 

Sunghak Park†, Kyoungsuk Jin†, Hyung Kyu Lim, Jin Kim, Kang Hee Cho, Seungwoo Choi, Hongmin Seo, Moo Young Lee, Yoon Ho Lee, Sangmoon Yoon, Miyoung Kim, Hyungjun Kim*, Sun Hee Kim*, and Ki Tae Nam*, “Spectroscopic capture of a low-spin Mn(IV)-oxo species in Ni-Mn3O4 nanoparticles during water oxidation catalysis” Nature Communications 11, 5230 (2020). 

Sunghak Park†, Yoon Ho Lee†, Seungwoo Choi†, Hongmin Seo, Moo Young Lee, Mani Balamurugan, Ki Tae Nam*, “Manganese Oxide-based Heterogeneous Electrocatalysts for Water Oxidation” Energy Environ. Sci. 13, 2310-2340 (2020). 

Related papers

Aleksandr Bashkatov*, Sunghak Park, Çayan Demirkır, Jeffery A. Wood, Marc T. M. Koper, Detlef Lohse, and Dominik Krug*, “Performance Enhancement of Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution through Coalescence-Induced Bubble Dynamics” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 146 (14), 10177-10186 (2024).  

Sunghak Park, Luhao Liu, Çayan Demirkır, Onno van der Heijden, Detlef Lohse, Dominik Krug*, Marc T. M. Koper*, “Solutal Marangoni effect determines bubble dynamics during electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution” Nature Chemistry 15, 1532–1540 (2023).