Tokyo Institute of Technology · Energy
Professor Akira Yamaguchi's research lab specializes in advanced ceramic materials and functional oxides, with a focus on developing materials for sustainable energy and extreme environment applications. Key research directions include the design of bioinspired water oxidation catalysts based on manganese oxides, particularly through the modulation of proton-coupled electron transfer processes, and the development of self-healing refractory materials for high-temperature industrial processes. The lab also investigates the synthesis and properties of novel MAX phases, such as Al₄SiC₄, emphasizing their formation mechanisms and exceptional hydration resistance for practical use in harsh environments. These efforts integrate materials chemistry, solid-state reactions, and surface science to address challenges in energy conversion and industrial materials longevity.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Manganese oxides have been extensively investigated as model systems for the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. However, most bioinspired catalysts are inefficient at neutral pH and functional similarity to the oxygen-evolving complex has been rarely achieved with manganese. Here we report the regulation of proton-coupled electron transfer involved in water oxidation by manganese oxides. Pyridine and its derivatives, which have pKa values intermediate to the water ligand bound to mangane
Self‐repairing function is observed in carbon‐containing refractory such as MgO–C, Al 2 O 3 –C, and so forth. Non‐oxides such as pure metallic, alloys, carbides, and nitrides are intentionally added to the refractory composition to bring about this function. As a basis of the development of a self‐repairing refractory, the self‐repairing mechanism in the carbon‐containing refractory is described.
The synthesis process and the formation mechanism of Al4SiC4 were investigated using Al, Si, and C as starting materials. Properties such as hydration resistance of the synthesized Al4SiC4 were examined. SiC and Al4C3 begin to form from about 800°C and 900°C, respectively. When the temperature is above 1300°C, both products further react with each other to form Al4SiC4. With increasing temperature and time, the formation ratio of Al4SiC4 increases. The addition of Al2O3 can facilitate the format
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