Hak-hyun Kim
Ewha Womans University · Environmental Science
About the Lab
Professor Hak-hyun Kim's research lab specializes in the development and application of advanced functional materials for environmental remediation and water treatment. The lab focuses on designing nanomaterials—such as bimetallic nanoparticles, metal phosphides, and layered double hydroxides—that enable efficient degradation of organic pollutants and removal of emerging contaminants like PFAS. Key research directions include catalytic activation of oxidants (e.g., H₂O₂ and persulfates), in situ generation of reactive radicals, and the engineering of microfluidic systems for precise fluid control. The lab integrates in situ spectroscopic techniques and surface characterization to unravel reaction mechanisms at the molecular level.
Research Overview
Research Output Trend
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Selected Papers
15Copper phosphide (Cu <sub>x</sub>P) was synthesized and tested for its reactivity for generating H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> through spontaneous reduction of dioxygen under ambient aqueous condition. The in situ generated H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> was subsequently decomposed to generate OH radicals, which enabled the degradation of organic compounds in water. The oxygen reduction reaction proceeded along with the concurrent oxidation of phosphide to phosphate, then copper ions and phosphate ions
Iron immobilized on supports such as silica, alumina, titanium oxide, and zeolite can activate hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) into strong oxidants. However, the role of the support and the nature of the oxidants produced in this process remain elusive. This study investigated the activation of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> by a TiO<sub>2</sub>-supported catalyst (FeTi-ox). Characterizing the catalyst surface in situ using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), together with X-ray phot
We present elastomeric membrane valves integrated into a centrifugal microfluidic platform for precise control of fluid on a disc. The amount of the fluid passing through the valves, which depends on the rotating speed of the disc and the membrane thickness, has been characterized, and could be precisely controlled by tuning the disc motion.
Persulfates (i.e., peroxymonosulfate and peroxydisulfate) are capable of oxidizing a wide range of organic compounds via direct reactions, as well as by indirect reactions by the radical intermediates. In aqueous solution, persulfates undergo self-decomposition, which is accelerated by thermal, photochemical and metal-catalyzed methods, which usually involve the generation of various radical species. The chemistry of persulfates has been studied since the early twentieth century. However, its en
Bimetallic iron-copper nanoparticles (Fe/Cu-NPs) were synthesized by a single-pot surfactant-free method in aqueous solution [via the reduction of ferrous ion to zerovalent iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) and the subsequent copper-coating by metal ion exchange]. The produced Fe/Cu-NPs formed aggregates of spherical nanoparticles (approximately 30-70 nm) of Fe-Cu core-shell structures with 11 wt % copper content. The microbicidal effects of Fe/Cu-NPs were explored on Escherichia coli and MS2 coliphag
Layered double hydroxides (LDH) have been shown to be effective adsorbents, but their utility for the treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water has not been fully explored. In this study, the adsorption of 9 PFAS on hydrotalcite (HT), a type of LDH, was investigated using reaction solutions with environmentally relevant PFAS concentrations. The adsorption of individual PFAS by HT depended upon a range of factors, including the temperature used to pre-treat (i.e., calcine)
Research Areas
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