Participants

Our research focuses on high-performance sodium/lithium-ion batteries, including high energy density cathode materials and halide solid-state batteries, as well as their interface property. We have utilized X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) to elucidate the charge balance and local structural change process of Li-rich layered cathodes and NASICON-type cathodes with the beamline of BL08UA01, BL11B, BL14W, and BL02B02 in Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF). The researches are published in Adv. Energy Mater., Chem. Mater. and Chem. Eng. J. etc. Recently, we have developed in-house in-situ X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis to investigate the crystal structure of electrode and electrolyte in both short and long range. Combining these analytical and synchrotron radiation methods, we have great interests in explaining the electron transfer during the redox reaction process and the relationship between the dynamic, chemical, and structural evolution of the crystal structure in electrochemical processes, providing new insights into the energy storage mechanism of sodium/lithium-ion batteries. Recently, we are exploring the application of new multi cation solid electrolytes based on Li3InCl6/Li2ZrCl6 in all solid-state batteries. By using materials genome data for simulation calculations, we have screened out a variety of advantageous ratios and attempted to combine synchrotron radiation technologies with various in-situ tests to analyze the chemical state, bond lengths, and coordination environments to explore the stability and ion diffusion process between the high voltage cathode and solid state electrolyte.

As a first-year doctoral student at the University of Hong Kong under the tutorship of Zhengxiao Guo, my research is centered around solid-state electrolytes with a particular focus on the application of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) or Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) in solid-state electrolytes. My previous Master's research delved into the realm of sodium-ion battery cathode materials. In the pursuit of advancing energy storage technologies, my primary interest lies in exploring novel materials for solid-state electrolytes. MOFs and COFs, known for their tunable structures and exceptional properties, present promising opportunities in enhancing the performance of solid-state electrolytes. These crystalline materials offer advantages such as high surface area, porosity, and tailorable functionality, making them intriguing candidates for improving ion conductivity and stability in solid electrolyte systems. The upcoming Croucher 4th Generation Synchrotron Summer Course at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University presents an invaluable opportunity for me to delve into the latest advancements in synchrotron techniques and applications. I am particularly excited to explore how synchrotron radiation can be employed to elucidate the structural and electrochemical properties of MOF or COF-based solid-state electrolytes. This interdisciplinary platform will enable me to gain insights into cutting-edge research and foster collaborations with experts in both synchrotron techniques and solid-state electrolyte materials. By participating in this conference, I aim to broaden my academic perspective, exchange ideas with fellow researchers, and integrate synchrotron techniques into my research on MOF or COF-based solid-state electrolytes. Ultimately, I aspire to contribute to the development of advanced energy storage systems with improved safety, energy density, and cycle life.

The main focus is on renewable energy electrolysis of water for hydrogen production and carbon dioxide reduction.

He has been engaged in research related to heterogenous catalysis, physical chemistry, and energy catalysis. He focuses on the key catalytic technologies including ammonia decomposition, ammonia-hydrogen energy transformation, direct ammonia alkaline membrane fuel cells/solid oxide fuel cells, energy catalytic materials, reaction mechanisms, and process technologies related to ammonia electrolysis. He has over 50 referred research publications including journals such as Nature Communications, ACS Catalysis, Chemical Engineering Journal, Journal of Catalysis, Chemical Engineering Science, Fuel, and so on. A total of 1239 citations with a h-index of 19, and over 10 patents is obtained.

Our group focuses on the in-situ growth of nitride semiconductors (e.g. AlN and GaN). Relevant researches, where the most innovative point exists is to monitor the growth of materials in real time by adequately utilizing advantages of X-rays (e.g. non-damage and strong penetration), and realizing personalized combination of big scientific devices and traditional growth devices. We are striving to accelerate preparations for the construction of the first in-situ sputtering growth equipment based on synchrotron radiation light source in China, with the hope that we could excavate a more in-depth physical exploration of the growth dynamics of nitride semiconductor films, and give a reasonable physical explanation of the polarity reversal mechanism of AlN, which is a hot but confusing issue, so as to provide valuable insights into the kinetic process polarity manipulation and atomic arrangement at the heterointerface in the future.

My research area is focused on electrochemical energy storage technologies, particularly on the development of all-solid-state batteries with high energy density and safety, as well as cost-effective electrochemical storage devices. Additionally, I utilize large-scale neutron science facilities to conduct fundamental research, such as structural analysis and failure analysis of battery materials. Solid-state batteries, as an emerging energy storage technology, are garnering attention for their higher energy density and increased safety compared to traditional liquid electrolyte batteries. My research likely involves the development of new solid electrolyte materials, improving the interface compatibility between electrodes and electrolytes, and optimizing the overall structure and performance of the batteries. These efforts not only contribute to increasing the energy output and cycle stability of the batteries but also significantly reduce the risk of thermal runaway, enhancing overall safety. Simultaneously, the development of low-cost electrochemical storage devices is equally important for the widespread application of battery technology. My focus may be on finding more economical material substitutes or improving manufacturing processes to reduce production costs while maintaining or enhancing energy storage efficiency. Moreover, my use of neutron science facilities for structural analysis and failure analysis of battery materials is crucial for a deeper understanding of the behavior and failure mechanisms of battery materials. This advanced analytical method can reveal internal microstructural changes in materials, helping scientists optimize material design and improve overall battery performance. Overall, my research makes significant contributions to the advancement of electrochemical energy storage technologies and innovations in battery science, playing a vital role in driving the energy transition and achieving a more sustainable energy future.

My primary research interests revolve around the design and modification of micro/nano semiconductor materials for photocatalytic reactions in the field of energy and environmental applications. Specifically, I focus on anchoring transition metal single atoms to create single-atom catalysts and doping non-metallic heteroatoms to finely tune the materials' microenvironment. The goal is to achieve precise control over the physicochemical properties of the materials, aiming to significantly enhance their catalytic activity or enable them to exhibit high selectivity towards specific reactions. In our research, we employ X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) testing and other characterization techniques to investigate the effects of introducing metal single atoms and non-metal heteroatoms on the microstructure and chemical properties of the materials. XAFS technology provides valuable insights into the local structure and coordination environment of the elements in the material, enabling a deeper understanding of its microstructural characteristics. Through XAFS testing, we can determine the precise positioning of metal single atoms or non-metal heteroatoms within the material and their coordination with surrounding atoms. This knowledge helps us unravel the formation mechanisms of catalytically active sites and the interactions between metal single atoms or non-metal heteroatoms and the material matrix. Additionally, XAFS provides information on crucial factors such as interatomic distances, coordination numbers, and coordination structures, further elucidating the microstructural features of the materials. Combined these characterizations with DFT calculations, enabling us to delve deeper understanding of how the introduction of metal single atoms and non-metal heteroatoms influences the microstructure and chemical properties of the materials.

My previous research work included the structural design and electronic modulation of molybdenum disulfide for lithium-ion battery and hydrogen evolution reaction. The main focus is investigating the structure-performance relationship by correlating the structural characterization results with electrochemical performance of MoS2-based electrode materials. Now my research interest turns to electrochemical hydrogenation and oxidation of organics using water as both the hydrogen and oxygen sources, respectively. The study will focus on two aspects. On the one hand, the correlation between the atomic arrangement of the electrocatalysts and the results of electrosynthesis, i.e., conversion of the substrates, yield and selectivity of the targeted products, will be investigated, during which the reaction mechanism on the molecular level will be proposed. On the other hand, for those pre-catalysts which are vulnerable to electrolysis, some in-situ characterizations such as in-situ XRD and in-situ Raman will be carried out to unravel the real active sites.

Noi

My research interest lies in the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2), a process that has garnered significant attention due to its potential to mitigate climate change by converting CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels. The electrochemical reduction of CO2 involves using an electrical current to drive the conversion of CO2 into products such as carbon monoxide, methane, and ethylene, among others. This process holds promise as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously producing useful chemicals and fuels. My research likely involves exploring the fundamental mechanisms and kinetics of the electrochemical reduction of CO2, as well as the development of novel catalysts and electrochemical systems to enhance the efficiency and selectivity of CO2 conversion. Furthermore, My research interest may extend to the exploration of new materials and electrochemical techniques for CO2 reduction, as well as the integration of renewable energy sources to power the electrochemical conversion processes.

Noi

My research interests lie in the design of novel heterogeneous catalysts for selective oxidation and hydrogenation catalysis and their investigation using in-situ spectroscopy such as X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy??X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

Electrocatalysis is a reaction occurring at the interface, and the interface properties directly determine the energy conversion efficiency and the operating power of electrochemical devices, so the interface regulation of electrocatalyst is very important. We team used a variety of material surface interface chemical regulation strategies to optimize the catalyst interface composition and interface structure, and fully demonstrate the intrinsic activity and interface of the catalyst. The application of these materials in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, oxygen reduction, total hydrolysis and carbon dioxide electroreduction has been explored, and a series of research results have been obtained.

Nucleation and growth of halide perovskites is extremely sensitive to the condition during its synthesis process, which seriously limits its further development. To solve this problem, Dr. Xiao is focusing on the topic of ?śprecise synthesis of halide perovskite films?? On one hand, he brought out the idea that the nucleation and growth of halide perovskites could be significantly influenced by ions/molecules diffusion, unveiled that the chemical reaction at grain boundary helps grain coarsening, developed an aerosol-liquid-solid process for the general synthesis of perovskite films for highly sensitive X-ray detection. On the other hand, he brought out the idea that crystal growth and crystallization reaction of halide perovskites could be finely controlled via the intermediates and developed a robust prenucleation strategy to fabricated highly efficient perovskite solar cells with varying humidity and chemicals. He received his B.S. degree (2012) from School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology and his Ph.D. degree (2017) from Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. From 2017 to 2018, he was a post-doctoral research fellow at Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. From 2018 to 2022, he was a Research Associate Professor at the School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University. From Jun. 2022, he became an Associate Professor (PI) at Center for Intense Laser Application Technology (iLaT), Shenzhen Technology University.

In order to design next-generation nanomaterials for renewable energy storage and catalysis, our research focuses on thorough investigations of the structures and dynamics of functional materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), zeolites, and supported metal nanoparticles, with unprecedented guest-induced properties. We have a particular focus on using a multi-disciplinary approach to gain new insights into the structure of materials and their dynamic behaviours in the solid state. The utilisation of in-situ diffraction and spectroscopy, combined with theoretical calculations, is our core methodology for achieving such detailed analyses not only under realistic conditions but also at a molecular level. For instance, the combined use of synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD), neutron powder diffraction (NPD), and quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS), can yield important insights into the structures and dynamics of materials and surface species, while inelastic neutron scattering (INS), Infrared and Raman spectroscopy can give information on host-guest interactions and reaction chemistry. A comprehensive analysis of guest-induced structural changes, surface adsorbates, and reaction mechanisms involved has been reported in high-quality journals. Our growing understanding will lead to better design of novel functional materials, which hold significant relevance for both fundamental science and innovative technology. In the future, we also hope to expand the above in-situ and integrated methods to design and develop effective catalytic systems that can be used for the chemical recycling of waste plastic.

My research focuses on developing novel layer transition metal oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries. Layer transition metal oxide cathodes exhibit low cost, a simple synthesis route, and high theoretical capacity, making them promising candidates for commercialization in sodium-ion batteries. Recently, I have been working on designing an O3-type high entropy oxide cathode that demonstrates good cycling stability and high voltage stability. This high entropy oxide cathode involves multiple transition metals, and the functions of each transition metal in this high entropy oxide are still unknown. The synchrotron technique offers super high resolution for studying the local structure of materials, including the electronic structure of transition metals. Previous reports have highlighted transition metal migration as a key issue leading to performance degradation. The EXAFS technique can distinguish the coordination number, chemical bond distance, and chemical disorder of transition metals. Moreover, it is an effective tool for studying the oxygen redox behaviors of layer transition metal oxides. I firmly believe that with the synchrotron technique, we can extract more meaningful information and deepen my understanding of my research.

The direction of our research is to investigate the uniformity of active sites in single atom catalyst and how they affect the activity of the catalytic process. The uniformity of activity site of single atom catalyst will be different due to various synthetic method, reaction condition and raw material?™s composition. The difference in uniformity can change the coordination structure and electronic configuration of the SAC which will modulate the absorption behavior and affect the reactivity of catalytic reaction. XAS is important technique to characterize the uniformity of active site by using EXAFS and XANES spectrum. To characterize the coordination structure, EXAFS mode can be used. In this mode, the X-ray is absorbed by the selected atom, and core electron of selected atom will be excited and scattered by neighbor atom. It can be used to find the interatomic distance after fitting the experimental data with theoretical model. XANES can be used for characterize the electronic configuration of SAC. It is able to reflect the oxidation state and electron structure of the measure atom by studying the edge energy position and the shape of XANES spectrum. Operando XAS technique is also useful for this research. Not only monitoring the structure and chemical state of the SAC, it can also be used to study the catalytic reaction mechanism under the reactive atmosphere. This technique can provide more information about the catalytic process. Based on the importance of XAS, I believe that joining this summer course will gain a lot of help on our research and future study.

I have engaged in postdoctoral research at Brookhaven National Laboratory from 2019 to 2020. Currently, I hold the position of Associate Professor and Master's Supervisor at the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Taiyuan University of Technology. At the same time, I am the Youth Editorial Board of Acta Petrolei Sinica (Petroleum Processing Section). My research focuses on the fundamentals and applications of zeolite, as well as research in reaction engineering such as VOC oxidation and Dry reforming. They have published nearly 30 papers in academic journals such as ACS Appl. Mater. Inter., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Fuel, Energy Fuels. As the primary inventor, they have been granted 13 patents, with 2 of them successfully transferred. I have led one project each supported by the National Natural Science Foundation and the State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Engineering and Technology for Petrochemicals.

My research interests are exploring the surface/interface physics and growth kinetics of III-Nitrides using X-ray scattering as real-time probe. III-Nitrides materials have attracted much attention due to their wide bandgap. However, the epitaxy of III-Nitrides materials with high crystal quality is still challenging: the synthesis mechanism of materials such as InGaN is unclear. Hence the development of characterization techniques is necessary for further study of III-Nitrides epitaxy. My future research plan is to develop advanced real-time X-ray probe to observe the dynamics of surface atoms during III-Nitrides growth. However, the limited intensity of X-ray source in laboratory restricts its application for in-situ study. Therefore, both Amano and Akasaki (the Nobel laureates of 2014) supposed that synchrotron radiation X-ray with ultra-high temporal and spatial resolution would be the best way to study the defect formation mechanism of III-Nitrides. So far, only the APS has achieved MOCVD growth with in-situ SR X-ray characterization and studied the surface dynamics of GaN growth with XPCS technology, which was completed by our group leader, Guangxu Ju. The intensity of the coherent X-rays of 3rd-generation SR is greatly improved by removing monochromators. Besides, the high brightness and coherence of 4th-generation SR enable the detection of atomic arrangement at surface by CTR or GISAXS measurement. Since our group is experienced in in-situ growth and characterization, I will investigate the surface/interface dynamics of III-Nitrides growth at 02U station of SSRF, supported by our key project (approved in 2023). The surface physics of InGaN and AlN growth (e.g. the step kinetics of indium incorporation or the interfacial diffusion of impurity atoms) will be studied, and the synthesis mechanisms of GaN-based materials will be revealed using our self-developed in-situ growth systems, which is expected to help the construction of artificial heterostructure interfaces/surface and the synthesis of high-quanlity III-Nitrides materials.

My research interest focuses on catalytic systems for environmental and energy sustainability, including the study of microstructure effect of CO2 hydrogenation to high value-added chemicals catalytic system.

My research interest primarily lie in the difference between single atom catalysts and alloy catalysts. During my postgraduate studies, my research focused on (101) and (001) facets of anatase TiO2 and the results showed that (001) facets possess stronger activity in catalyzing the oxidation of cyclohexene with H2O2. In this project, we used F modification to obtain samples with different facets ratios and discovered that the F-(001) facilitates further conversion of product epoxide compared with (001). These results showed that the activity of singe-atom (Lewis acid site) catalysts is influenced seriously not only by Coordination number and Positive charge concentration, but also by the Bronsted acid sites induced around the LA. Generally, we think high positive charge concentration is terrible for adsorption of substrate. If we transfer metal active sites from anions to uncharged metal atoms, we obtain alloy catalysts. According to some reports recently, single metal atoms possess higher atomic catalytic efficiency than their cations for most metals. I want to try more ?śsingle-atom catalyst??techniques in the field of alloy catalysts in the future. XANES is highly effective in elucidating the precise coordination environment of atoms in both in-situ and ex situ experimental settings. Therefore, I truly believe that attending this summer course would greatly enhance my present and future academic pursuits.

Electrolysis of seawater offers a resource-rich and sustainable hydrogen production method, addressing freshwater scarcity in electrolytic hydrogen production and representing a vital direction for hydrogen energy's future. My team and I focus on synthesizing and researching non-precious metal-based catalysts for seawater electrolysis, including porous carbon, graphene, doped carbon, and transition metal composites. We leverage electrochemical methods and atomic layer deposition (ALD) to develop high-performance nanocatalysts with built-in electric fields. Through experiments and computational techniques like Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Molecular Dynamics (MD), we aim to uncover their crucial internal mechanisms.

The successful commercialization of lithium-ion has attracted a lot of attention from researchers, but research and development on sodium-ion batteries never stops. Compared with lithium-ion batteries, in addition to low cost and abundant reserves, sodium-ion batteries also have the advantages of high safety and good capacity maintenance in high and low temperature environments. Exploring its electrode materials is conducive to the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries. At present, there are still many critical challenges and deficiencies in sodium-ion batteries. Hard carbon has the potential to serve as a high-capacity anode material for sodium-ion batteries, however, its Na+ storage mechanism, particularly on the low potential plateau, remains controversial. Characterizing hard carbon materials and exploring their sodium storage mechanisms using synchrotron radiation techniques, especially sXRD and SAXS, is my research interest. The synchrotron radiation-based X-ray techniques can be used for in-situ/ex situ experiments to gain comprehensive information, thereby effectively elucidating the electrochemical reaction mechanisms in the battery. Learning synchrotron radiation techniques in more depth was crucial to my research when I already had some relevant research experience.

Our research focus on studying the various surfaces of alloys, such as PtNiFe. Its unusual atom arrangement makes it an effective catalyst for H2O2. In earlier works, we successfully produced the alloy PtNiFe with nanostructures of octahedra, nanocubes, polyhedra, and cuboctahedra. The production approach allows for control of PtNiFe nanostructures by adjusting the molar ratio of alkyl phosphonic acid to oleylamine (Rm). The differing Rm values cause unique crystal facet-surfactant bindings on the growing seed, resulting in nanocrystals of varying forms. Higher Rm leads to structures with {100} facets, including nanocubes and cuboctahedra, according to both experimental and statistical studies. Lower Rm results in forms with more {111} facets, such as octahedra and polyhedra. Theoretical studies show that alkyl amine molecules preferentially adsorb on the PtNiFe(111) surface. The coverage area of the {111} facets guides the final form of PtNiFe nanocrystals in the alkyl phosphonic acid/oleylamine synthesis system. Furthermore, the electrochemical results clearly show the structure-dependent oxygen reduction reaction activities of PtNiFe nanocatalysts in various electrolytes (HClO4 and H2SO4). During this project, XANES methods have proven to be quite successful in studying alloy facet properties. As a result, I am confident that attending this summer course will significantly benefit my current and future academic efforts.