Tohoku University · Energy
Professor Huihui Li's research lab specializes in the design and engineering of advanced electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion, with a primary focus on electrochemical CO2 reduction to produce valuable multicarbon (C2+) fuels and chemicals. The lab emphasizes understanding and manipulating the dynamic surface microenvironment, active site stabilization, and confinement effects at the nanoscale to enhance catalytic activity, selectivity, and durability. Key research directions include the development of oxide-derived copper catalysts, phosphorus-doped Cu2O with oxygen vacancies, and structured nanomaterials with tailored porosity and morphology for efficient carbon intermediate stabilization.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2R) to valuable multicarbon (C2+) products is an attractive means for upgrading waste CO2. One of the intensively studied strategies is to apply concentrated KOH solution to extensively proceed with CO2R to C2+ products; however, the undesired carbonate formation at the cathode consumes majority of the input CO2. Therefore, it is crucial to seek a new strategy to improve the local environment at the electrode and thus eliminate or reduce dependence of the selecti
Abstract Copper oxide nanomaterials have been suggested to be efficient for highly selective multi‐carbon (C 2+ ) production in CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR), due to the introduction of surface Cu + species from oxide catalysts. However, the Cu + species on the catalyst surface are prone to being reduced to Cu 0 under reductive conditions during CO 2 RR. Here, a network‐structured catalyst is developed consisting of ultrafine Cu 2 O/CuO nanoparticles that harbor an abundance of pores. This c
Authentic surface structures under reaction conditions determine the activity and selectivity of electrocatalysts, therefore, the knowledge of the structure-activity relationship can facilitate the design of efficient catalyst structures for specific reactivity requirements. However, understanding the relationship between a more realistic active surface and its performance is challenging due to the complicated interface microenvironment in electrocatalysis. Herein, we proposed a standard researc
The electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) reduction reaction (CO<sub>2</sub>RR) involves a multistep proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process that generates a variety of intermediates, making it challenging to transform them into target products with high activity and selectivity. Here, a catalyst featuring a nanosheet-stacked sphere structure with numerous open and deep conical cavities (OD-CCs) is reported. Under the guidance of the finite-element method (FEM) simulations and
Copper (Cu)-based electrocatalysts are acknowledged as pivotal catalysts for the electroreduction of CO<sub>2</sub> into multicarbon (C<sub>2+</sub>) products; however, achieving high C<sub>2+</sub> selectivity at industrial-level current densities remains a significant challenge. Herein, we propose a "phosphorus (P)-doping mediation" strategy to introduce an oxygen vacancy into the Cu<sub>2</sub>O lattice, resulting in a C<sub>2+</sub> Faradaic efficiency of 87.0% at a partial current density o
The rational design of efficient electrocatalysts with controllable structure and composition is crucial for enhancing the lifetime and cost-effectiveness of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). PtCo nanocrystals have gained attention due to their exceptional activity, yet suffer from stability issues in acidic media. Herein, an active and highly stable electrocatalyst is developed, namely 3D Pt<sub>7</sub>Co<sub>3</sub>@Pt core-shell nanodendrites (NDs), which are formed through the self-assembly o
Abstract The electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) to multi‐carbon (C 2+ ) products derived by renewable energy represents a promising strategy for mitigating CO 2 emissions. One of the intensively studied strategies is to stabilize Cu + species on catalysts to facilitate the adsorption of *CO intermediates. However, the reductive environment during CO 2 RR renders the Cu + species on the catalyst surface susceptible to reduction to Cu 0 . Here, we developed a GB‐Cu 2 O‐Cu catalyst f
Abstract Authentic surface structures under reaction conditions determine the activity and selectivity of electrocatalysts, therefore, the knowledge of the structure‐activity relationship can facilitate the design of efficient catalyst structures for specific reactivity requirements. However, understanding the relationship between a more realistic active surface and its performance is challenging due to the complicated interface microenvironment in electrocatalysis. Herein, we proposed a standar
Abstract The electrochemical conversion of CO 2 into carbonaceous fuels and chemicals emerges as a promising sustainable strategy toward energy‐rich chemical feedstocks. However, CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) in aqueous environments is highly intricate, as protons may be directly reduced to H 2 . Here, we propose a “dual‐functional oleic acid (OA) coordination” strategy that simultaneously stabilizes Cu + /Cu 0 interface via covalent OCu chelating bonds and tailors hydrophobic gas–liquid–so
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