The main researchinterest in our group is to identify and challenge the key scientific problemsfor efficient solar to chemical energy conversion, carry out fundamentalresearch for better understanding the solar to chemical energy conversionprocesses by means of bench-top material synthesis/assembly and variousspectroscopic techniques. The ultimate goal of our research is to developefficient sunlight capturing photocatalysts and assembly functional integratedphotocatalytic systems for efficient solar to energy conversion. Throughout theresearch activities, particular emphasis will be focused on betterunderstanding the energy transfer related processes theoretically andexperimentally.
Researchactivities:
1) Photocatalyticreforming of biomass into gas (hydrogen, methane) and liquid fuels (methanol,ethanol) as well as value-added chemicals.Current research is focused on the development of photocatalysts/photocatalyticsystems by conversion of model biomass compounds, such as methanol, ethanol,glycerol, glucose, etc. Our long term and ultimate goal of biomass research isphotocatalytic reforming of polysaccharide, cellulose and hemicelluloses andlignin in environmental friendly and energy and cost effective way using solarenergy.
2) Photocatalyticsplitting of water.Current research is mainly focused on the development of visible lightabsorbing photocatalyst for water oxidation multi-electron transfer catalystand cheap and abundant proton reduction catalyst. We are exploring the way toassembly of integrated photocatalytic systems with inorganic materials(including semiconductors) as water oxidation catalyst and organic or inorganicmaterials as proton reduction catalyst. The ultimate goal of this research isto develop efficient photocatalysts, photocatalytic systems, orphotoelectrochemical cells for efficient overall water splitting. This part work is in close collaboration with Group DNL1601 and 1603.
3) Photocatalyticreduction of CO2 to chemical fuels. Current research is mainly focused on the development water oxidationphotocatalyst and searching for CO2 reduction catalyst. The ultimate goal ofthis research is to develop efficient artificial leaf integrated withphotocatalysts, photocatalytic systems, or photoelectrochemical cells for CO2 reduction.This part work is in close collaboration with Group DNL1601 and 1603
