Research summary
Our world’s increasing population is causing serious challenges, such as energy shortages, environmental pollution and food insecurity. It is increasing the demand for energy, which is reinforcing our reliance on fossil fuels. Hydrogen could help support a transition toward new, clean and sustainable energy generation. But currently, several barriers are preventing this from happening. As Canada Research Chair in Electrochemistry and Nanoscience, Dr. Aicheng Chen is addressing the barriers to hydrogen production, storage and use.
He and his research team are exploring new approaches for synthesizing single-atom catalysts, quantum dots, nanomaterials and nanocomposites. They are uncovering their electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties to develop innovative applications in sustainable energy, environmental monitoring, and electrochemically based sensing. Chen’s findings could result in strategies to support the emergence of a hydrogen economy.