Research Interests

A fundamental understanding of materials electrochemistry is of general significance for the development of high-efficient energy storage and conversion systems with environmental sustainability. We are establishing powerful electrochemical techniques for studying inherent properties and unusual effects in electrocatalysis and battery materials. We are also working on advanced electrosynthesis of renewable fuels, essential nutrients and natural organics from environmental wastes and pollutants.

Electrochemical reactions, especially electrocatalysis, involve complicated and rapid processes of proton-coupled electron transfer. However, conventional ensemble measurements can hardly allow insights into ultrafast surface and interface interactions. The urgent need for the development of in situ characterization techniques with high spatial and time resolution would offer great opportunities to an understanding and guidance of materials designing. We are developing in situ electrochemical molecular probes and demonstrating one can measure catalytic kinetic rates of individual active sites with high accuracy. This emerging technique is being coupled with other spectroscopies to permit more important quantitative information associated to electrocatalysis and materials chemistry.

Materials physics is the fundamental for studying the solid-state electrochemistry that is processed on electrode surfaces. We are using computational modeling to predict and optimize physical properties of electrode materials for regulating the electrochemical behavior. Advanced machining technologies, including deep learning and AI assist, are being complemented to facilitate the discovery of outstanding materials, which effectively instruct the experimental synthesis. In addition, finite element simulations are also supported in the group to configure and tailor electrochemical reactors as well as other continuum models.