At the CReAtE Lab, we focus on designing and understanding advanced electrocatalysts for clean energy conversion and sustainable chemical production. Our research targets three major reaction systems: water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction (CO2RR), and nitrate reduction to ammonia and urea.

In water splitting, we explore efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts that can operate stably under alkaline conditions. We design mixed-metal oxides that exhibit tunable electronic structures and active site coordination, enabling enhanced reaction kinetics and durability.

For CO2 reduction, our goal is to convert waste carbon dioxide into value-added fuels and chemicals, such as CO, formate, ethanol, and other C2+ chemical feedstocks. We aim to enhance product selectivity by adopting strategies such as compositional design, electronic structure engineering, and microstructural engineering. 

We are also working on nitrate reduction, addressing one of the most pressing water pollution challenges caused by industrial discharge and agricultural runoff. Our approach focuses on developing highly selective and stable catalysts capable of transforming nitrate (NO3⁻) into ammonia and urea, offering a sustainable alternative route for nitrogen-based fertilizer production while mitigating environmental contamination.

Through these efforts, we aim to establish electrified chemical pathways that not only enable renewable energy storage but also contribute to environmental remediation and carbon–nitrogen cycle management, driving progress toward a sustainable and circular chemical economy.

The CReAtE Lab pursues cutting-edge research in thermal catalysis, focusing on transforming greenhouse gases and industrial by-products into valuable fuels and chemicals. We aim to design robust and thermally stable catalysts capable of driving high-temperature reactions efficiently while maintaining selectivity and longevity under harsh reaction environments.

A major part of our work involves syngas (CO + H2) production through innovative processes such as dry reforming of methane (DRM), enabling the utilization of CO2 and CH4, two potent greenhouse gases, for cleaner fuel generation. We also investigate CO2 hydrogenation pathways for the production of dimethyl ether (DME), ethanol, and higher alcohols, providing sustainable alternatives to fossil-derived fuels and chemical intermediates.

Additionally, we explore NOₓ reduction reactions, targeting the removal of nitrogen-based pollutants from industrial emissions to mitigate air pollution and environmental damage. Our approach integrates rational catalyst design, reaction mechanism studies, and structure–property correlation to understand and optimize active sites, reaction pathways, and selectivity.

Our catalytic systems are primarily based on CeO2 and doped CeO2 materials, well-known for their remarkable oxygen storage and redox properties. We further employ mixed-metal oxides and composite catalysts to enhance surface reactivity, thermal stability, and oxygen mobility, ensuring superior performance under demanding conditions.