Event

Efficient and Modular Electrochemical Synthesis of Chemicals and Fuels to Decarbonize Manufacturing and Electricity Grid 

Abstract: Widespread utilization of intermittent renewable energy sources demands efficient energy conversion, scalable energy storage, and innovative electrochemical technologies. For example, efficient and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reaction are needed for electrochemical water splitting. I will discuss electrocatalyst design and controlling their phase and defects to enhance activity, focusing more on our recent advances in selective two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e- ORR) to produce hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste, we recently developed modular electrochemical synthesis (ModES) using redox reservoirs, which are battery materials that can store electrons and ions, to pair independent half-reactions. Such ModES strategies can provide demand flexibility by participating in dynamic electricity markets at different timescales and significantly reduce the electricity cost of chemical manufacturing. Moreover, electrochemical recovery of ammonium (and other nutrient) ions from manure wastewater could be integrated with electrosynthesis using ion-selective redox reservoir materials. These new strategies for flexibly integrating electrochemical manufacturing and environmental remediation with fluctuating power grid achieve more economical and sustainable operations to decarbonize electricity grid and manufacturing.

Biography: Prof. Song Jin received his B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University in 1997, Ph.D. in 2002 from Cornell University under the direction of Prof. Francis J. DiSalvo and carried out his postdoctoral research under the direction of Prof. Charles M. Lieber at Harvard University. Dr. Jin is interested in the chemistry, physics and technological applications of nanoscale and solid-state materials. Dr. Jin developed innovative synthesis of nanomaterials including metal chalcogenides, silicides, and halide perovskites, and discovered and developed the screw dislocation-driven growth of nanomaterials. Jin advances the exploitation of (nano)materials for electrocatalysis, solar energy conversion, energy storage, optoelectronics, spintronics, and biotechnology. Dr. Jin has authored or co-authored over 280 publications and 13 patents. He has been recognized with a NSF CAREER Award, a Research Corporation Cottrell Scholar Award and as one of world’s top 35 innovators under the age of 35 (TR35 Award) by the MIT Technology Review Magazine, the ACS ExxonMobil Solid State Chemistry Fellowship, the Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, the ACS Inorganic Nanoscience Award, and an ECS Fellow. He also serves as a Senior Editor for ACS Energy Letters.