Invited Speaker
Haiyan Zhu

Haiyan Zhu

Professor, Institute of Modern Physics, Northwest University, China
Speech Title: Theoretical study on electroreduction of CO2 by copper based catalysts

Abstract: In the present era, CO2 emissions are at record levels and are likely to be even higher in the coming decades due to the accelerated depletion of fossil fuels. Electrochemical CO2 reduction reactions, powered by clean electricity generated from renewable energy sources, are an attractive route to CO2 utilisation and sustainable, valuable chemical production. Highly efficient catalysts with unique geometrical and electronic properties have been developed for the production of a wide range of C1 and multicarbon carbons (C2+) chemicals. Cu is the only metal with negative adsorption energy for *CO and positive adsorption energy for *H. It is easier to stabilise the adsorption of *CO, and CO has a suitable binding energy on Cu. Although metal Cu has unique catalytic properties for CO2, it still suffers from high reduction overpotential, slow kinetics, low energy conversion efficiency, poor selectivity, insufficient stability, and obvious competitive hydrogen precipitation side reactions for the electrochemical conversion of CO2. The introduction of a second metal into a copper-based catalyst to form a bimetallic catalyst is an effective method to modulate the selectivity and reactivity as the synergistic interaction between the two metals can modulate the binding strength and configuration of the intermediates on the catalyst surface.


Biography: Prof. Haiyan Zhu is a Distinguished Professor in Institute of Modern Physics at Northwest University. She received her Ph. D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University.She also served as Program Director at the National Science Foundation and as Research Fellow and Senior Research associate at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and City University of Hong Kong, respectively. Dr. Haiyan’s research covers a wide range of topics in nano-structured materials, condensed matter Physics, chemistry, and materials Science. She is the author of more than 70 papers including 1 edited book.