Research
Our research focuses on the physical chemistry of gas adsorption and diffusion, crucial for advancements in energy and environmental technologies. We work on designing and synthesizing "active" porous materials for various gas separation applications like H₂ and CH₄ purification, CO₂ capture, VOCs removal, CO removal for fuel cells, flue gas purification, and desulfurization of natural gas. Utilizing advanced experimental techniques such as multi-component column breakthrough of adsorption, in situ synchrotron PXRD, in situ neutron powder diffraction, and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, alongside computational methods like ab initio density functional theory (DFT) and force field molecular simulations, we aim to develop highly selective molecular sieves, not necessarily based on size/shape discrimination. Our specialty lies in creating stimuli-responsive porous adsorbents that control selective guest admission through "smart" pore apertures activated by factors such as guest molecules, temperature, pressure, light, and electric fields. Our ultimate goal is to innovate adsorbent materials that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of energy and environmental solutions. Targeted applications of interests include:
- CO₂ capture
- CH₄ capture
- Natural gas/biogas/landfill gas purification
- Low temperature NOₓ removal
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds) removal
- NH₃ removal
- CO removal
- Paraffin/olefin separation
- Gas storage
Research Highlights
J. Am.Chem. Soc., 2012, 134, 19246-19253
ChemComm 2014, 50(35), 4544
ChemComm 2015, 51(79), 14716
Nano Letters 2017, 17, 1.
Nat. Commun. 2017, (8), 15777
Green Chemistry 2019, 21, 1267.
Advanced Materials 2019, 31(12), 1806774.
Chemical Science 2020, 11, 6670.
CCS&T 2023, 8, 100126.
ACS ES&T Engineering 2023, 3, 9, 1297.
Small 2024, 20, 2400064.
Lab Tour
Apart from facilities for routine microscopy and spectroscopy studies, we have (or privileged access to) unique and cutting-edge research facilities for our research. Some examples are listed below.
Parr Reactor for high P/T and high throughput (catalytic) reaction and adsorbents/catalysts synthesis
Micromeritics Autochem HP 2950 with Mass Spec and TCD for high P/T gas adsorption and catalysis study
Micromeritics 3Flex for low P (corrosive) gas/vapor adsorption study
In-house built gas storage apparatus for high P (up to 150 bar) and variant T gas storage study
In-house built breakthrough and P/TSA apparatus for dynamic (mixture) gas adsorption and separation study as well as process demonstration (1:Two columns for P/TSA process; 2: Breakthrough column; 3:Culation bath for controlling the temperature of furnace for in-situ activation, 4: Fluid circulation bath for controlling the temperature of adsorption experiment; 5:Vacuum pump; 6: Monitor, 7: Gas dispense system; 8.LabVIEW hardware: 9:NOx analyzer; 10:Mass Spectrometer)
PXRD beamline@Australian Synchrotron for advanced gas adsorption/catalysis study at atomic scale
XAS beamline@Australian Synchrotron for advanced gas adsorption/catalysis study at atomic scale
In-house built environmental cell (together designed by PI Shang and the Principle Scientist at the Australian Synchrotron) for in situ gas adsorption/catalysis study at various temperatures and gas atmosphere
Density functional theory license and package for theoretical simulations complimentary to experimental study
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In-house built direct air capture (DAC) system
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In-situ FTIR (IRAffinity-1, SHIMADZU) for the analysis of mechanisms of gas adsorption
Labsolar-6A All-Glass Automatic on-line Trace Gas Analysis System connected to GC for gas (e.g., CO2 and NOx) adsorption and photocatalytic conversion
PerkinElmer gas chromatography connected to an on-line photocatalytic system to detect the gas conversion products and their concentrations
Rotation oven
mks MultiGas FTIR Analyzers (left) capable of ppb sensitivity for multiple gas species (including toxic gases) combined with a column breakthrough (right)
Ovens for adsorbent synthesis and sample drying