Summary
Our research group is passionately engaged in the field of electrocatalysis, focusing on innovating electrocatalytic applications and enhancing our fundamental understanding of reaction mechanisms via in-situ characterizations. We are pioneering in innovating electrocatalytic applications on alkane activation, flue gas conversion, and biomass upgrading via catalysts-characterization-computation (C3) approach. We investigate the complex dynamics of molecular interactions under electrical influence, aiming to unravel the reaction pathways and the evolution of catalysts during the reaction in real time. Our methods include using in-situ X-ray, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy to investigate surface reaction intermediates and monitor catalyst evolution. We approach our research with the mindset of a scientist as a detective to explore the fundamental reaction mechanisms driving chemical reactions.
Our research aims to answer three fundamental questions:
- How does electrocatalysis interact with other chemical processes to enhance catalytic performance and efficiency?
- What are the reaction pathways under electrical influence, and how can we direct these pathways towards desired products?
- What are the active sites in catalysts, and how do these sites evolve during reactions under various conditions?