Research

Research interests and vision

The overarching goal of our research is to design electroactive molecules and materials with atomically precise yet modular structures and to develop novel electrochemical processes for a more sustainable carbon, chemical, and energy future. Our research spans three interconnected areas: (i) the electrochemical upgrading of abundant small molecules and pollutants, such as CO2, into value-added chemicals and fuels; (ii) electrochemical carbon capture; and (iii) electrochemical energy storage.

Our group focuses on atomic-level and molecular-level control of electroactive sites and their local microenvironments through synthetic and electrochemical approaches. At the atomic level, we tailor the local structure and coordination environment of electroactive sites; at the molecular level, we engineer the surrounding chemical environment and intermolecular interactions that govern their reactivity, selectivity, and transport properties. We seek to establish fundamental structure–property–performance relationships across these length scales by combining materials synthesis and fundamental electrochemistry with advanced operando characterization tools, including spectroelectrochemical and synchrotron X-ray techniques. These atomic- and molecular-level insights guide the development and evaluation of electrochemical systems, which we ultimately test at the device level under industrially relevant conditions.

Ultimately, our mission is to translate atomic- and molecular-level understanding into practical electrochemical solutions for sustainable chemical production, carbon management, and energy storage. Through this approach, we aim to help decarbonize energy- and carbon-intensive industries while advancing a more sustainable carbon, chemical, and energy future.