Confirmation of Candidature - Candidate : Yizhu Kuang

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), driven by renewable energy, provides a potential carbon-neutral avenue to convert CO2 into valuable fuels and feedstocks. Conversion of CO2 into a particular chemical with high concentration, such as CO and formate, is considered one of the economical and feasible methods, owing to its high-value commercial application. This proposal aims to develop high-selectivity and high-activity electrocatalysts to gain high-concentration targeted products in CO2RR. In order to address the key challenge of high-concentration production in CO2RR, my thesis will focus on the design the following strategies to increase the reaction activity and selectivity of electrocatalysts. Firstly, to suppress the side reaction (hydrogen evolution reaction) and increase the product selectivity, the ionomer surface modification strategy will be applied on Cu hollow fibre (Cu-HF) to form the gas diffusion electrode. Secondly, to modulate the active sites of Cu valency and increase the product selectivity, the controllable surface coordination  will be designed on Cu-HF. Finally, to increase CO2 local concentration and reaction rate, amine grafting on Cu-HF will be conducted.

For more information, please email the Graduate Research School (GRS) or for the zoom link, please phone the GRS 07 46 31 1088.