My interest is "creation of innovative fuel cells through rational design of materials", which means control of atomic & electronic structures of nanomaterials and arrangement of such nanomaterials using nanotechnology. Thus, my research area is ranging from synthesis of nanomaterials, their analyses, nanofabrication, simulation, etc.

Nano fuel cell systems

Fuel cells are one of the most environmentally-friendly power sources, which lead to the reduction of carbon-dioxide emissions. I have so far focused on the development of ultra small fuel cells operating on alcohol fuel solutions by arranging nanomaterials using microfabrication techniques (J Am Chem Soc, 2008; 130(32): 10456-10457). My present works focus on the development of more efficient fuel cell systems by arranging nanomaterials precisely from atomic scale.

Electrocatalysts for fuel cells

Two types of nanostructured catalysts have been synthesized.  First, I synthesized metal-based electrocatalysts (e.g., PtRu and PdCo) by using electrochemical methods including electrodeposition and dealloying. Recently, Pd-based electrocatalysts having a unique nanostructure, i.e., coral-reef-like mesoporous nanomaterial, was successfully synthesized by dealloying (J Power Sources, 2010; 195(4): 1054-1058). These metal-based catalysts are of great importance for prototyping innovative fuel cell systems because of their ease of handling and possible selective deposition onto tiny current collectors.

Understanding of electrochemical reactions in nanopores

I have been also interested in analytical works. For example, I synthesized a mesoporous Pt electrode and then used it as a model electrode to understand phenomena occurring in such mesopores of fuel cells (Chem Commun, 2008; 2888-2890; J Power Sources, 2010; 195(8): 2236-2240). Also, I have used electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to analyze ionic conduction in fuel cell porous electrodes.