Jaehong Kim

Nanotechnology has been the main driver of scientific advances in catalytic materials and processes over the past few decades. Unique physicochemical and electronic properties emerge as materials are engineered from the large bulk to the nanoscale. What would happen if the same material were engineered to be even smaller and sub-nanoscale? Can the material be engineered to exist as a ‘single atom?’ Our group has been pioneering the synthesis and environmental application of single-atom catalysts (SACs), the theoretical limit of material downsizing. We target maximizing efficiency of atomic utilization due to size reduction from nanoscale catalysts, significantly reducing material and process costs, and achieving highly selective destruction of pollutant in complex water matrix which has been unable to address with nanotechnology.

Electrochemical treatment is emerging as the next-generation technology to achieve modular, distributed, and chemical-free water treatment and recycling. Our group investigates various approaches to destroy a wide range of pollutants through both cathodic (e.g., reduction of oxyanions and halogenated organics including PFAS) and cathodic (e.g., direct oxidation and the production of reactive species) reactions. Our group develops various catalysts for electrodes including single-atom catalysts and fabricate electrochemical cells. We also study electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide, a precursor chemical for advanced oxidation.

Our group has been studying various approaches to provide affordable disinfection solution to resource-limited regions in the world. We have developed various next-generation technologies to harvest solar radiation to inactivate pathogens in water, including photosensitized water disinfection using food-dye and natural plant extracts, photothermal disinfection using plasmonic particles, and photocatalytic disinfection using various catalysts. We continue to explore different technologies, along with collaboration with various partners in the US and around the world for practical implementation.