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1. Stabilization of (Electro-)Chemical Catalysts
- Ex-solution dynamics/energetics
- Advanced processes of ex-solution
- Surface cation segregation in perovskite oxides
- Physical protection by inorganic scaffolds

2. Design and Fabrication of Highly Active (Electro-)Chemical Catalysts
- Exploration of highly-active novel electrode materials
- Surface acid/base engineering
- Advanced surface modification techniques including infiltration, amorphization, and surface reconstruction

3. Advancing High-performance Hydrogen Energy Devices through Material Insight
- Reversible fuel cells
- Direct ammonia fuel cells
- Electrochemical high-value fuel syntheses
- Novel plastic upcycling processes

1. Papers
- “A universal oxygen electrode for reversible solid oxide electrochemical cells at reduced temperatures”, Energy & Environmental Science, 16 (2023)
- “Understanding and mitigating A-site surface enrichment in Ba-containing perovskites: a combined computational and experimental study of BaFeO3”, Energy & Environmental Science, 15 (2022)
- “Water as Hole-Predatory Instrument to Create Metal Nanoparticles on Triple-Conducting Oxides”, Energy & Environmental Science, 15 (2022)
- “Control of transition metal - oxygen bond strength boosts the redox exsolution in perovskite oxide surface”, Energy & Environmental Science, 13 (2020)
- “A tailored oxide interface creates dense Pt single-atom catalysts with high catalytic activity”, Energy & Environmental Science, 13 (2020)
- “Unravelling inherent electrocatalysis of mixed-conducting oxide activated by metal nanoparticle for fuel cell electrodes”, Nature Nanotechnology, 14 (2019)
- “Sr Segregation in Perovskite Oxides: Why It Happens and How It Exists”, Joule 2 (2018)
- “Enhanced oxygen exchange of perovskite oxide surfaces through strain-driven chemical stabilization”, Energy & Environmental
Science, 11 (2018)

Our group is developing advanced materials for hydrogen energy technologies. The primary objective is to understand the reactions occurring at the interfaces between ionic solids, particularly oxides, and gases, with the aim of enhancing reaction kinetics for solid-state applications in chemical and electrochemical catalysis. These applications include fuel cells, electrolyzers, gas sensors, and hydrocarbon reformers. Our research focuses on (1) ‘how precisely to characterize the surfaces of ionic solids and their reactions with various gases,’ (2) ‘how to improve catalytic reactivity levels at the ionic solid surfaces,’ and (3) ‘how to stabilize supported nanocatalysts in harsh environments.’ To achieve these goals, we design model oxide structures with well-defined interfaces and analyze their surface properties using various techniques. We also modify oxide surfaces through methods such as nanoparticle coatings, etching, and treatments with light or electric fields to improve performance.