CO2, N2, or NOx electroconversion 

Our research group focuses on the electroconversion of CO2, N2, or NOx into valuable chemicals, e.g., CO, HCOOH, C2+, and NH3 (Adv. Energy Mater., 2025, 2501840; Small, 2025, 2412672; Adv. Energy Mater., 2024, 14, 2304365). We revealed that CO intermediates induce aggregation and deactivation of Cu single atoms (Cu-SAs) on TiO2 during photocatalytic CO2RR, hindering catalyst stability. The CuAu-SAPNPs-TiO2 catalyst achieved a CH4 production rate of 748.8 μmol·g−1·h−1 with 93.1% selectivity and stability over 7 days (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2024, 63, e202410250).Achieving complete CO2 conversion with both high single-pass conversion and high Faradaic efficiency remains challenging for CO2RR systems, yet is essential for practical implementation and carbon-cycle closure. We propose a strategic roadmap for advancing comprehensive CO2 electroconversion technologies (Adv. Energy Mater., 2025, 2406146). Conventional electrolysis systems couple cathodic CO2RR, NRR, or NOxRR with the energy-intensive OER, which limits overall efficiency and economic viability. To address this challenge, we propose “two-in-one” integrated electrolysis systems and systematically analyze their design principles and implementation strategies for dual value-added chemical co-production, environmental pollutant recycling, and energy storage applications, together with their associated techno-economic and environmental impacts(Electrochem. Energy Rev., 2025, 8, 35).

Metal–Air/CO­2 Batteries

Our research group also focuses on high energy density rechargeable Metal-Air/CO2 batteries (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2025, 137 (18), e202501649; Adv. Energy Mater., 2023,13, 2302325; Adv. Funct. Mater., 2022, 32, 2201258; Adv. Funct. Mater., 2021, 31, 2011151). In particular, Metal-CO2 batteries, which can be converted into sustainable electricity from CO2, provide an ideal solution to address pressing issues such as global warming and energy shortage (Nano-Micro Lett., 2025, 17, 299; Small, 2023, 2206445; Cell Rep. Phys. Sci., 2022, 3, 100973; Mater. Today Energy, 2021, 19, 100594). Considering the crucial role of well-designed functional materials and components (e.g., electrodes/catalysts, electrolytes, and membranes/separators) and their impact on CO2 conversion at the industrial level, we systematically summarize the similarities and differences between direct electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 (ECO2RR) and CO2 batteries (Adv. Funct. Mater., 2023, 2300926). Considering the uncontrollable sodium dendrite growth and poor electrochemical kinetics of the CO2 cathode, we constructed a multifunctional electrode to realize a dendrite-free and CO2 redox kinetics-enhanced high-reversible symmetric Na-CO2 battery (Energy Environ. Mater., 2024,7, e12626). The paper was selected as the cover article (https://doi.org/10.1002/eem2.12757). A ‘two-in-one’ electrode with multiscale defective interfaces to realize a CO2 redox kinetics-enhanced Na-CO2 batteries with ultralong lifespan (Adv. Mater., 2024, 36(48), 2409533).

Highly efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) water decomposition is recognized as a viable and environmentally friendly method for energy conversion. Tandem nanostructures obtained by fabrication methods such as templating can effectively address the challenges of cost, efficiency and availability. For example, Ni/ZnO/TiO2 photovoltaic electrodes enriched with oxygen vacancies were obtained by electrostatic adsorption and vacuum thermal evaporation preparation methods. This method utilizes surface plasmon resonance (SPR), which improves solar light utilization by enhancing the separation of photogenerated carriers and facilitating rapid surface charge transfer (Ultrathin Metal Ni Layer on ZnO/TiO2 Photoelectrodes with Excellent Photoelectrochemical Performance in Multiple Electrolyte Solutions, Fuel 2023, 351, 128774). In addition, recent research advances in tandem nanostructures for PEC water decomposition are summarized and the future of the field is envisioned (Tandem Nanostructures: A Prospective Platform for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting, Solar RRL 2022, 6, 2200181).

Photocatalysis has also emerged as a viable system for solar energy collection, conversion and storage. The structure, chemical environment, optical and electrical properties of sulfur species in photocatalysis are essential to gain insight into atomic interfaces with low charge transfer resistance and to enhance photocatalytic performance. For example, Au nanorods@MoS2-CdS ternary mixtures have solved difficult problems related to NIR transitions, transfer pathways, and active sites (Broadened Photocatalytic Capability to Near-infrared for CdS Hybrids and Positioning Hydrogen Evolution Sites,Appl. Catal. B 2023, 325, 122327). In addition, a review systematically describes atomic interfaces in sulfur compounds designed for photocatalytic applications, highlighting significant advances in the field (Designing Atomic Interfaces in Chalcogenides for Boosting Photocatalysis, Solar RRL 2023, 7, 2300025). This paper was inducted into Solar RRL's "Hall of Fame" series.