Our Research
Our research spans multiple areas in the chemistry and engineering of energy materials. Currently, an overarching research focus is electrochemical CO2 conversion with a particular focus on systems tailored to control the microenvironment to be more favorable for converting CO2 into value-added products.
CO2 Reduction in Molten Salt Electrolytes
This project explores how CO2 can be electrochemically converted at high temperatures in molten salt electrolyte systems. This approach avoids potential competition with hydrogen evolution and potentially offers new avenues to address persistent challenges in electrochemical CO2 conversion in ambient conditions.
Model Systems for Improving the Microenvironment in Electrochemical CO2 Conversion
The microenvironment around the catalyst entails a wide range of factors that include the transport of important species, local availability of CO2 and CO, as well as local pH. Design rules for the microenvironment are critical for developing strategies to improve electrochemical CO2 conversion.
Development of Hybrid Biotic-Abiotic Electrocatalytic Systems
In principle, electrochemical systems can produce products with high current density, yet for some reactions that would be important for new sustainable technologies, achieving selectivity and activity remains challenging. This is particularly true for reactions such as N2 reduction. In contrast, biological systems can have high selectivity for these challenging reactions. We seek to develop hybrid systems to achieve the best-of-both-worlds where biotic and abiotic components can be paired.
Development of Perovskite-Inspired Materials
Inspired by work in the last decade on halide perovskites, our group has an active effort to develop new lead-free ionic semiconductor materials that will exhibit defect tolerant characteristics.
