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Photoelectrolysis has been regarded as an effective approach to converting solar energy into chemical fuels. In empirical application, various catalysts can remarkably affect the overall intrinsic catalytic performance. Photocatalysts with superior light absorbing ability frequently exhibit weak surface catalytic ability, while electrocatalyst with the outstanding surface catalytic capability commonly cannot proceed the photoelectric conversion. Hence, the integration of photocatalysts and electrocatalysts can present their superb natures to considerably enhance the entire catalytic activities. Besides, the synergy in the composite system would also influence the activities. Therefore, we are mainly studying the synergistic effect of the composite photoelectrocatalysts and electrocatalysts in oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR).
Photoelectrochemical water splitting
Developing nanostructural composite photoelectrocatalysts, i.g., TiO2-Au-IrOx, TiO2-Au@Pt, and TiO2-CdSe-Au, to enhance the photoelectrochemical activity significantly and extend the working range from the ultraviolet region to the visible region. Via electrochemical techniques and in-situ analysis, we can investigate the synergistic effect of the interface in the composite catalysts and build the relationship between the material combination and the photoelectrochemical properties.
Electrocatalytic water splitting
Developing low-cost and highly efficient transition metal electrocatalysts and bi-functional electrocatalysts to combine with renewable energy, such as solar and wind energies, to advance the novel clean energy, which solves the nonuniform supply of these renewable energies due to the season and time. It is found that among the composite materials, one of the metallic ions serves as the active site, and the other ones improve the catalytic properties of this active metal ion. This result facilitates the understanding of electrocatalysis and allows us to design the electrocatalysts with higher activities. In-situ analysis also reveals that phase transforms easily take place during the electrocatalysis, and the real catalytic phases determine the catalytic activities rather than the synthesized phases. Regulating the catalytic phases can significantly improve the overall activities.
Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction
Electrocatalytic CO2reduction reaction: Developing low-cost and highly efficient single-atom catalysts and alloys to convert CO2to economic products, such as syngas, natural gas, and alcohol. It can also be highly matched with renewable energy and exhibit high industrial values to realize artificial photosynthesis. Our current results show that the development of new reactors, that is, flow-cell reactor andmembrane electrode assemblies, can boost their catalytic activities and the product selectivity. Because of their scalability and industrial potential,electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction can be used as an important downstream industry in the renewable energy industry chain.