Prof. Shizhang Qiao from The University of Adelaide, Australia, presented “Electrocatalytic Refinery for Production of Fuels and Chemicals” at HG-Energy’s ITQ Lecture Series at UPV

Last Friday, it was a privilege for us at HG-Energy of the Instituto de Tecnología Química at the Universitat Politècnica de València to host Prof. Shizhang Qiao from The University of Adelaide, Australia, as part of the ITQ Talk Series. His presentation “Electrocatalytic Refinery for Production of Fuels and Chemicals,” gave attendees a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research and explore emerging trends in electrocatalysis.

Prof. Qiao is one of the most respected scientists in nanotechnology and renewable energies. His extensive work in energy technologies, specifically in electro- and photocatalysis and battery recycling, has earned him global recognition. Having a scientist of his caliber visit our institution was a true honor, reinforcing HG Energy’s commitment to fostering international collaborations and advancing research in sustainable energy solutions.

Key Highlights of the Lecture:

Prof. Qiao outlined several fascinating research areas, starting with e-refineries, which offer a promising avenue for producing fuels and chemicals through electrocatalysis. He also delved into the world of correlated multiple single-atom catalysts, shedding light on their local environments and performance in electrocatalytic reactions.

His discussion on seawater electrolysis was particularly intriguing, where he shared new developments in using natural seawater to produce green hydrogen. This process, paired with advanced in-situ characterization techniques, such as XAFS and Raman spectroscopy, paves the way for scalable, sustainable green hydrogen production without competing with the limited resources of fresh water  for human consumption.

His focus on metal-sulfur batteries also generated significant interest, particularly since he is the director of the Ausrtralian network for new batteries development and implementation. By exploring how catalysts play a critical role in these batteries, Prof. Qiao’s research could lead to the development of more efficient, high-power batteries, aligning with current goals for energy storage innovation.

Prof. Qiao’s expertise, evidenced by his impressive h-index of 187 and a plethora of high-impact publications, solidifies his position as a pioneer in energy research. His lecture provided invaluable insights and offered inspiration to students and researchers alike.

The participation of students was particularly active, with many asking insightful questions that heightened interest in continuing research on these fascinating topics.

We are looking forward for starting collaboration with his group in topics of common interests.