Dr. Qinglan Zhao

Research Assistant Professor

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The urgent need to combat climate change and transition towards a carbon-neutral future has sparked significant interest in advancing technologies that enable carbon neutrality and sustainability. Among the key areas of focus, electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems, particularly cells and electrolyzers, have emerged as promising solutions. Through a multidisciplinary approach that combines materials science, electrochemistry, and engineering principles, I am seeking to tackle the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems. My primary interests lie in developing novel catalysts and high-performance membranes for advanced electrochemical devices using sustainable technology.

Specifically, I am focusing on the following three aspects (Figure 1):

(1) Sustainable Production of Organonitrogen Compounds: The research seeks to enhance electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2RR) to produce valuable organonitrogen compounds, such as urea, by integrating additional reactants to diversify product outcomes. This involves designing novel catalysts and employing artificial intelligence to optimize catalyst screening and production efficiency.

(2) Green Hydrogen Production and Utilization: Focusing on anion exchange membrane (AEM) technologies, this area aims to develop cost-effective water electrolyzers and fuel cells using non-precious metal catalysts. The research addresses challenges in polymeric AEMs, striving for a balance between mechanical strength and ionic conductivity to facilitate green hydrogen production.

(3) Electrocatalysis Technology for Water Treatment: This research area explores the use of electrocatalysis to improve wastewater treatment processes and seawater desalination. By designing efficient electrocatalysts, the aim is to enhance the removal of contaminants and improve water resource management. By integrating multidisciplinary approaches and fostering collaborations across fields, this research aims to contribute significantly to sustainable development, advancing technologies that align with global carbon neutrality goals.