Research | e-Chemical Team

Research Areas

CO₂ Capture & Conversion

AI ML-Based Designing Capturing Agents and Thermocatalysis

We develop advanced technologies for capturing CO₂ from industrial flue gases and the atmosphere. Our work covers the full CCUS chain from novel sorbent and solvent development to integrated capture-conversion systems that directly transform captured CO₂ into valuable chemicals.

Direct air capture and flue gas separationNovel sorbent and solvent developmentSimultaneous CO₂ capture and electrochemical conversion

Lee, Ung Kim, Changsoo Jung, Kwang Deog

CO₂ Electrolysis

Efficient Electrocatalysts and Scalable Electrolyzer

We develop efficient and selective electrocatalysts for both CO₂ reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction, addressing key challenges in activity, selectivity, and stability for practical CO₂-to-chemicals conversion. Our work extends to the engineering of electrochemical devices from zero-gap electrolyzers to PV-EC cells and their scale-up toward industrially relevant performance.

Electrocatalysts for CO₂RR and OERElectrochemical devices and zero-gap electrolyzersScale-up and pilot demonstrations with industrial partners

Oh, Hyung-Suk Won, Dahye Lee, Woong Hee

C–N Coupling

High-value-added C-N coupling products

We develop electrochemical C–N coupling strategies that convert waste-derived nitrogen species with CO₂- and biomass-derived carbon sources into value-added chemicals. This platform enables the sustainable production of nitrogen-containing compounds such as oximes, amines, amino acids, and urea while integrating waste remediation with improving the economic feasibility of electrochemical synthesis.

Amino acid synthesis and NO conversionsAmmonia electrosynthesis from nitrate (NO₃RR)High entropy alloy electrocatalyst

Kim, Chansol

Ion-Exchange Polymers

Functional Polymers for CO₂ Electrolysis

For the engineering of membrane electrode assembly devices, we develop highly ion-conducting and chemically stable solid polymer electrolytes. These ion-exchange polymers serve both as membranes and binders for gas-diffusion electrodes in zero-gap reactors.

Ionomer engineering for catalyst-membrane interfacesAnion-exchange membranes for CO₂ electrolysisStructure-property relationships via controlled synthesis

Koh, Jai Hyun

Biomass/Wastes Electrocatalysis

HIGH-TECH Electrocatalysis of Organic Molecules

We explore electrochemical routes to convert biomass and waste-derived feedstocks into high-value chemicals, replacing energy-intensive thermochemical processes. Our work focuses on co-production of valuable organic chemicals to upgrade economic feasibility and versatility of e-chemical synthesis.

Alcohol oxidation, epoxidation, hydrogenationPaired electrolysis of CO₂ and biomassSubcritical electrocatalysis of plastic wastes

Lee, Dong Ki

in-situ/Operando Analysis

High-sensitive Interfacial Monitoring of Catalyst/Molecule

We employ real-time analytical tools to investigate electrochemical catalytic reactions at the interface. ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy probe molecular behavior at the electrode surface, while soft and hard XAS reveals catalyst structural evolution under operating conditions. Our group operates dedicated high-sensitivity instruments and a KIST-exclusive beamline at PAL.

in-situ ATR-FTIR and Ramanin-situ Hard/Soft XAS (PAL 1D, 10D)

Jeon, Hyo Sang

Process Engineering

System Design, Optimization, Multiscale modeling, TEA & LCA

We bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and industrial implementation through rigorous process design, optimization, life-cycle assessment, and techno-economic analysis of electrochemical CO₂ conversion and hydrogenation processes.

CO₂ hydrogenation process designFormic acid catalyst developmentPilot-scale demonstration research

Lee, Ung Kim, Changsoo