We utilize our expertise in surface chemistry and catalysis to develop innovative catalytic materials for sustainable energy applications. A process of particular interest is solar fuel generation by CO2 reduction using molecular catalysts and single-atom catalysts on solid-state surfaces. Spectroscopic, microscopic, and electrochemical techniques are employed to characterize such catalytic materials and establish structure-function relationships. In addition, we integrate research with education by organizing STEM workshops for K-12 science teachers and students. Our projects have received support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and National Science Foundation (NSF), including a prestigious NSF CAREER Award.<br><br>The Li group is currently accepting new graduate students.
Courses Taught
- CHEM 683: Physical Chemistry I
- CHEM 684: Physical Chemistry II
- CHEM 685: Physical Chemistry Laboratory
- CHEM 686: Physical Chemistry Laboratory
- CHEM 776/876: Physical Chemistry III
- CHEM 925: Surface Chemistry
- INCO 590: Rsrch Exp/Chemistry
- MS 999: Doctoral Research
Research Interests
- Catalysis/Kinetics
- Materials Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Solar, Photochemical Conversion
- Spectroscopy
- Surface Chemistry
Selected Publications
Fenton, T., Ahmad, E., & Li, G. (2024). Solar CO2 reduction using a molecular Re(I) catalyst grafted on SiO2via amide and alkyl amine linkages.. Dalton Trans, 53(6), 2645-2652. doi:10.1039/d3dt03623e
Huang, P., Shaaban, E., Ahmad, E., St John, A., Jin, T., & Li, G. (2023). Well-defined surface catalytic sites for solar CO2 reduction: heterogenized molecular catalysts and single atom catalysts.. Chem Commun (Camb), 59(61), 9301-9319. doi:10.1039/d3cc01821k
Huang, P., Huang, J., Li, J., Pham, T. D., Zhang, L., He, J., . . . Li, G. (2022). Revealing the Structure of Single Cobalt Sites in Carbon Nitride for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C, 126(20), 8596-8604. doi:10.1021/acs.jpcc.2c01216
Shaaban, E., & Li, G. (2022). Probing active sites for carbon oxides hydrogenation on Cu/TiO2 using infrared spectroscopy.. Commun Chem, 5(1), 32. doi:10.1038/s42004-022-00650-2
Xiang, S., Huang, P., Li, J., Liu, Y., Marcella, N., Routh, P. K., . . . Frenkel, A. I. (2022). Solving the structure of "single-atom" catalysts using machine learning - assisted XANES analysis.. Phys Chem Chem Phys, 24(8), 5116-5124. doi:10.1039/d1cp05513e
Huang, P., Huang, J., Pantovich, S. A., Carl, A. D., Fenton, T. G., Caputo, C. A., . . . Li, G. (2018). Selective CO2 Reduction Catalyzed by Single Cobalt Sites on Carbon Nitride under Visible-Light Irradiation. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 140(47), 16042-16047. doi:10.1021/jacs.8b10380
Stanton, C. J., Machan, C. W., Vandezande, J. E., Jin, T., Majetich, G. F., Schaefer, H. F., . . . Agarwal, J. (2016). Re(I) NHC Complexes for Electrocatalytic Conversion of CO2.. Inorg Chem, 55(6), 3136-3144. doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b00079
Jin, T., Liu, C., & Li, G. (2014). Photocatalytic CO2 reduction using a molecular cobalt complex deposited on TiO2 nanoparticles.. Chem Commun (Camb), 50(47), 6221-6224. doi:10.1039/c4cc00503a
Liu, C., Dubois, K. D., Louis, M. E., Vorushilov, A. S., & Li, G. (2013). Photocatalytic CO 2 Reduction and Surface Immobilization of a Tricarbonyl Re(I) Compound Modified with Amide Groups. ACS Catalysis, 3(4), 655-662. doi:10.1021/cs300796e
He, H., Liu, C., Dubois, K. D., Jin, T., Louis, M. E., & Li, G. (2012). Enhanced Charge Separation in Nanostructured TiO 2 Materials for Photocatalytic and Photovoltaic Applications. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 51(37), 11841-11849. doi:10.1021/ie300510n
