Our Research
Transforming the way chemicals are made today
Electro/photo-chemical upgrading of small molecules
The chemical manufacturing industry is known for its high energy consumption and consequential carbon dioxide emissions. We seek to enable chemical transformations that use renewable electricity or sunlight as a driving force instead of traditional fossil-based heat sources.
Relevant publications:
Science 2020, 368, 1228-1233 [Link]
Nat. Commun. 14, 1954 [Link]
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 269-276 [Link]
Electrochemical valorization of CO2 and alt feedstocks
Replacing traditional fossil-based feedstocks with clean and replenishable ones can cut emissions and promote sustainability. We seek to develop catalysts and conditions that can electrochemically convert CO2 and biomass to valuable chemicals and fuels.
Relevant publications:
Nat. Catal. 2022, 5, 185-192 [Link]
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 17226-17235 [Link]
Reaction mechanism study
Despite great progress made in electrochemistry, it remains challenging to simultaneously achieve high activity, selectivity, and stability. We seek to understand the dynamic reaction environment through operando spectroscopies coupled with computational modelling, in order to design better catalysts for reaction.
Relevant publications:
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202308782 [Link]
Systems engineering for efficient performance
We want to develop reactor configurations that can facilitate efficient catalytic reaction at reactant-catalyst-electrolyte 3-phase boundaries and enhance energy efficiencies. This includes flow cell and membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) cell.
Relevant publications:
Nat. Catal. 2022, 5, 185-192 [Link]
J. Mater. Chem. A. 2023, 11 (25), 13493-13501 [Link]