top of page
pngtree-an-image-of-a-molecule-forming-a-structure-picture-image_2879623.jpg

Our Research

Transforming the way chemicals are made today

Figure 1_edited.jpg
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]

Setup_edited.jpg
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]

YW C13_edited.jpg
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]

bottom of page