Our research centers on the design of catalysts and reactors for the efficient conversion of waste carbon resources (biomass, plastics, and CO2) toward valuable chemicals and fuels via combined biological, thermochemical, and electrochemical approaches. We establish structure-function relationships at atomic scale, combining precision materials synthesis with advanced characterization and catalytic evaluation under practical process conditions. In addition, we develop flow chemistry reactor for linearly scaling-up these processes at pilot-scale.
1.Biomass conversion
Electrooxidation of biomass platform chemicals instead of a petroleum source offers a sustainable and atom-economic avenue toward organic oxygenates, with additional benefits when coupled with renewable electricity driven processes. The highly oxygen-functionalized structure of biomass and its derivatives enable the energy-efficient and atom-economic production of organic oxygenates, such as 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), adipic acid, glucaric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid.
2.Waste plastic utilization
Plastic waste triggers a series of concerns because of its disruptive impact on the environment and ecosystem. From the point view of catalysis, however, end-of-life plastics can be seen as an untapped feedstock for the preparation of value-added products. To this end, the development of diversified catalytic approaches for plastics valorization is urgent.
