Lizhenhua

     Hydrogen (H₂) is a promising energy to replace fossil fuels that addresses the environmental problems associated with global warming and alleviates the energy crisis. Electrocatalytic water splitting powered by clean energy (e.g., solar, wind) represents a green approach to produce H₂. However, this process still suffers from the large overall electricity consumption stemming from high cell potential due to the sluggish four-electron transfer of anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Moreover, the value-added potential of the oxygen gas produced in this process is relatively low. Reducing the energy barrier for oxidation at the anode in the water splitting system and achieving comprehensive oxygen utilization are critical for overcoming the “efficiency and cost” challenges in H₂ production. The applicant’s previous research has unveiled the presence of “reactive oxygen” species at lower potentials before oxygen evolution during water splitting. These species can be used for the selective oxidation of organic compounds.Based on this discovery, the applicant focuses on utilizing “reactive oxygen” to catalyze important industrial organic oxidation reactions. This approach aims to decrease the energy consumption for H₂ production, enhance H₂ production efficiency, and leverage the high-value chemicals generated at the anode to further reduce H₂ production costs. 

     My research revolves around the electrochemical hydrogen evolution coupled with organic oxidation (EHCO). The current research progress can be summarized as follows: (1) Reaction System Construction (Reducing energy consumption of H₂ production): The applicant has successfully constructed over 20 EHCO reaction systems, achieving 2 to 30-fold higher H₂ production rates than traditional water splitting system; (2) Reaction Process Enhancement (improving H₂ production efficiency): The applicant has designed and fabricated serious cooperative catalysts with dual active sites for“reactive oxygen” generation and substrate adsorption, enabling selective organic oxidation coupled with H₂ production under industrial currents (>500 mA/cm²); (3) Reaction Technology Development (reducing H₂ production cost): The applicant has achieved kilogram-scale production of two products (e.g., potassium dimethyl malonate and FDCA) through the design of novel membrane-free flow electrolyzer, intermittent electrolysis techniques, and reaction-separation integrated processes.

The applicant has made significant contributions in the field ofEHCO, with a total of 66 SCI publications that have garnered over 4,300 citations, including 8 highly cited papers listed in the Essential Science Indicators (ESI). Moreover, H-index of the applicant is 34. In the last three years (from 2021), the applicant has published 18 papers as the first/co-first or corresponding author in renowned international journals, including Nat. Commun. (4), J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2), Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (1), and ACS Catal. (2). Three of them have been featured as journal covers. In terms of intellectual property, the applicant has filed 20 national invention patents in the past three years, with 10 of them already granted.

    Furthermore, my research in the field of EHCO has been supported by significant grants and projects. I am currently leading a National Key R&D Program (Hydrogen Special)-Young Scientist Project, a National Natural Science Foundation of China-Youth Program, and have successfully concluded a Beijing Natural Science Foundation- Youth Program, which received an outstanding evaluation. Additionally, I have been selected as a part of the Eighth Batch of the National High-level Talent Special Support Program for Young Outstanding Scientists in 2023. I am also a recipient of the Seventh Youth Talent Lift Project of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) in 2022 and was included in Beijing University of Chemical Technology's Youth Talent Hundred People Program, Class B, in 2021