Electrochemical engineering
Welcome to the Electrochemical Engineering Research Group webpage. Our research activities involve the conception, design, construction, characterisation, modelling, control and optimisation of electrochemical processes. These processes convert electrical energy into chemical energy, e.g. electrolysis - hypochlorite (HOCl/OCl- ) production, refractory organics treatment, electro-deposition/dissolution of Al, Pb, etc.; and vice versa, e.g. batteries and fuel cells.
Electrode reactions enable oxidations and reductions to be carried out under mild conditions, enable reagent recycling and, when well designed, produce no wastes or effluents. Hence, novel electrochemical reactors and processes, utilising both oxidations and reductions, are being developed here, e.g. for recovering heavy metals from aqueous effluents, wastes, such as end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and from spent precious metal-containing catalysts. Electrochemical reactions are also fundamental in the direct conversion of chemical to electrical energy via for e.g. fuel cells and batteries.
Hot Topics
CO2 Reduction to Fuels
The electrochemical engineering research group strive to achieve a sustainable future by electrochemically reduce CO2 to fuels for power generation.
Solar Hydrogen Project
Direct conversion of solar energy into chemical energy is a potential route for a green and sustainable energy source in the future. Photo-electrochemical reactors for hydrogen generation is being developed, modelled and tested.
Millitubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Research
Novel hollow fibre SOFCs are produced, characterised and modelled within the electrochemical engineering group.
