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Advancing sustainable electrosynthesis through interface & systems engineering
Theme 1 Catalyst and Interface Engineering for Electrochemical Small-Molecule Conversion
Theme 1 Catalyst and Interface Engineering for Electrochemical Small-Molecule Conversion
Electrochemical reactions are governed not only by catalyst composition, but by dynamic interfacial environments, surface reconstruction, intermediate binding, ion transport and local reaction conditions.
We design catalysts and electrode interfaces for key anodic and cathodic half-reactions, such as CO₂/CO reduction, O₂ reduction, N₂ reduction, H₂ oxidation and hydrocarbon oxidation. By tailoring catalyst structures, electrode micro-environments and operating conditions, we aim to control reaction pathways, improve product selectivity and enhance long-term stability.
Theme 2 Process and Reactor Design for Electrochemical Reaction Systems
Theme 2 Process and Reactor Design for Electrochemical Reaction Systems
Emerging electrochemical technologies require more than active catalysts. Reactor architecture, gas–liquid management, mass transport, and system integration often determine overall efficiency, durability and scalability.
We develop electrochemical reaction systems that translate catalyst and interface insights into realistic operating environments. Our work focuses on mass transport control, electrode and membrane–electrode assembly design, electrolyser stack design, and the integration of anodic and cathodic reactions at full-cell level.
Theme 3 In-situ and Operando Characterisation of Interfacial Processes
Theme 3 In-situ and Operando Characterisation of Interfacial Processes
Electrocatalysts and electrode interfaces can undergo substantial structural and chemical changes under operating conditions. Understanding these working-state behaviours is a key to establishing true structure–activity relationships of electrocatalysts.
We use in situ and operando characterisation techniques, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, to probe catalyst local coordination environments, surface-bound intermediates, catalyst reconstruction, under realistic electrochemical conditions.
© 2026 Yong Zhao | ZhaoLab, The University of Newcastle
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