Research Interests

A “CLEAN” vision for next generation–Green energy & Sustainable environment – Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion (Batteries, Fuel-cells, Supercapacitors and Water-splitting electrolysers,), Catalysis, CO2 capture & conversion, Hydrogen storage, Methane storage and Pollutant capture. The materials under investigations include nanoporous solids of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), carbons of biomass, polymer, graphene/graphene-oxide and MOF-derivatives, family of hydrogen storage materials (metal/alloy hydrides, complex hydrides & porous solids), and layered & membrane/thin-film structures.

Developing advanced functional nanoporous solids by pre- & post-synthesis modification and hybrid framework structures to enhance the structure-property relationship for “Clean Energy & Sustainable Environment”. We probe materials with wide range & complementary characterizations, include: 1) low-temperature molecular adsorption of N2, H2, CO2, & CH4 (specific surface area, pore-size distribution, pore-volume and molecular uptake and separation capacity), 2) combined thermogravimetric & mass spectroscopy (structure property), 3) high-pressure (up to 200 bar, H2, CO2, & CH4 storage by uptake isotherms) & variable temperature gas uptake measurements by volumetric and gravimetric methods (high capacity energy storage), 4) selective molecular adsorption & purification by column/membrane based mass spectroscopy/chromatography, and 5) complete electrochemical electrode materials tests (oxygen reduction reactions, Oxygen evolution or water oxidation, Water splitting or hydrogen evolution, supercapacitors, & meal-air batteries).

Recent Research Highlights

A high performance cobalt-nitrogen-carbon based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reaction is designed from a tailored bimetallic MOF with a blend of volatile zinc to induce porosity and stable cobalt to induce graphitic domains after structure manipulation. Energy Environ. Sci. 2016, 9, 1661 (impact factor 25.45)

An ultrahigh pore volume of hierarchical porosity and high surface area carbon based solid-amine super CO2 scrubber for the flue gas stream under practical conditions is designed. Adv. Mater., 2015, 27, 4903 (impact factor 18.96)

A detailed literature review on graphene based materials for energy storage and pollution capture separation is reported. Prog. Mater. Sci., 2015, 69, 1-60 (impact factor 31.0)

Developed highly porous carbon that exhibits simultaneously very high surface area and pore volume than any other carbon based materials in the literature, from tailored MOF crystals in millimetre size for a record high CO2 uptake. Energy Environ. Sci., 2014, 7, 335 (impact factor 25.4)

Functionalized carbon of high activity for selective CO2 over N2 is developed with well-controlled carbonization of ZIF-8. ChemSusChem, 2015, 8, 2123 (impact factor 7.1)

Defect engineering of MOFs for giant enhancement of CO2 uptake & selectivity by post-synthesis modification. Energy Environ. Sci., 2014, 7, 2232 (impact factor 25.4), Chem. Mater., 2014, 26, 6333 (impact factor 9.4)

A highly porous graphene oxide derived carbon networks are designed from graphene oxide for a promising H2, CO2 & CH4 adsorption storage capacities. Energy Environ. Sci. 2012, 5, 6453 (impact factor 25.4); J. Mater. Chem. 2011, 21, 11323 (impact factor 8.3)

Clean H2 release with superfast kinetics is achieved from NH3BH3 by confining in nanopores of MOFs, to meet the requirements for on-board / fuel cell applications. J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013, 1, 4167 (impact factor 8.3); Chem. Eur. J., 2011, 17, 6043 (impact factor 5.8)