Our Research
Our research centers on the investigation of interfacial reactions at electrode surfaces, focusing on optimizing electrochemical processes that underpin clean energy technologies. Understanding interfacial reactions on electrodes to enable precise tuning of local environments to enhance reaction specificity, reduce material costs, and integrate environmentally benign components for industrially relevant clean energy technologies.
Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Tuning the electronic environment at a catalyst interface can significantly influence reaction pathways and product distributions. By strategically altering the environment of the ionomer structures through cation or anion identity and concentration, we can tailor interfacial electronics to promote the desired kinetic pathways. The development and investigation into PFAS-free (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) materials will allow for a gradual phasing out of PFAS-based materials, addressing the urgent need to replace PFAS without compromising activity or selectivity. We are interested in:
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Accelerated design and testing of ionomers
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Investigating the effects of ionomer electronics on product selectivity.
Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Capture
Achieving net-zero emissions for decarbonization requires innovative and effective solutions to support the efficient removal of CO2 from the environment. Electrochemical carbon capture (eCCC), which can operate continuously, presents a promising industrial approach to reducing CO2 emissions. This method relies solely on electricity for CO2 capture and adsorbent regeneration, eliminating the need for high-temperature processes for release Consequently, it aligns well with net-zero targets by offering an energy-efficient alternative. Promising adsorbent materials used for eCCC are nitrogenous ligands, holding significant promise as they have high selective affinity for CO2 and stabilization of intermediates. Despite its advantages, significant challenges remain under industrially relevant conditions. We are interested in:
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Systematically studying influence of ligand design on performance and stability
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Investigating dendrite growth in electrochemically mediated amine regeneration.
"Green" Hydrogen Generation
Anionic exchange processes presents a promising approach to effectively use low-cost catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction to generate hydrogen; however, the stability and catalytic performance are limited, largely due to local pH variation at the catalyst interface with sustained use of anionic exchange ionomers. Therefore, even in anionic environment cationic membranes are still commonly used, presenting other challenges. We are interested in:
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Using AI-guided optimization to investigate and interpret ionomers for non-noble oxygen evolution catalysts.
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Optimizing ionomer local pH effects at catalytic interface.
