We focus on comprehending and regulating the mechanisms and kinetics that govern chemical processes taking place at the surfaces or interfaces of catalysts. Our ongoing research theme revolves around sustainable chemistry and next-generation renewable energy technologies, specifically leveraging light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. We are particularly enthusiastic about reactions involving small molecules such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, water, methane, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. For more information, please visit the 'RESEARCH' tab.

​

JOIN US!

​

We are currently seeking a postdoc and graduate students with a background or experience in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, materials engineering, or related disciplines. For any inquiries or additional information, please contact sungjuyu@ajou.ac.kr.

​

​

Group News   [more]

​​​​​

10/07/2024  |  Sanghyuk, Jaemin, Juneseo, and Yeongju presented their recent research outcomes at the ECS PRIME 2024 conference with the support of a travel award, sharing new insights and progress in their fields.

​

09/17/2024  |  We have demonstrated that the synergistic action between visible-light excitation of eosin Y and the Lewis-acidic metal center of the Cu complex activates a novel catalytic oxidation pathway for ethanol, enabling the formation of methane as an atypical product. This study will appear as an Article in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. We thank to Prof. Jang's lab for their collaborative efforts, and congratulations to Azam for leading this research!

​

09/09/2024  |  Ajou Research News featured our discovery of plasmonic photocatalysts for turning greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals. [link]

​

09/01/2024  |  We welcome Yewon, Wonjae, and Chaeyoon to our lab for their undergraduate internship program.

​​​

08/02/2024  |  We had a great time visiting the IAE and discussing the recent hydrogen technologies. Thanks a lot to Dr. Daewon Kim for inviting us to the lab!

​​

07/13/2024  |  We conducted a community outreach program for local students. They got to do some fun activities and learn about chemistry and energy science through interactive, hands-on experiments!

​

06/19/2024  |  Sungju gave a seminar at the Department of Chemistry, Kyung Hee University, to discuss plasmonic photoredox chemistry. Thanks to Prof. Joo Hoon Kim for the invitation!

​​

06/13/2024  |  Sungju was invited to deliver an invited lecture on plasmonic C1 chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, Ulsan University. Many thanks to Prof. Ji Won Ha, Prof. Dongho Lee, and Prof. Youngil Lee for hosting and extending the invitation for the seminar!

​

05/13/2024  |  Congratulations to all students in our lab for receiving scholarships for hydrogen research!

​​

05/10/2024  |  Sungju was invited to the Spring Meeting of the KSIEC to present and discuss recent research findings on C1 chemistry.

​

05/02/2024  |  The LAMP project, launched last year, has expanded into the G-LAMP project. Our lab is participating in the G-LAMP initiative, facilitated by the Ministry of Education, which provides research funding support until August 2028.

​

03/20/2024  |  We greeted delegates from DICP in China and held discussions on energy research and collaboration strategies.

​

02/22/2024  |  Our recent finding, utilizing light to transform methane into useful resources, has been highlighted in media outlets and Ajou news [link].

​

01/18/2024  |  Our recent paper has been selected to grace the supplementary cover of ACS Energy Letters, earning a featured spot in an upcoming issue.

​

01/12/2024  |  Our study has discovered a new perspective on the O2-mediated oxidation reaction occurring on plasmonic catalysts, a process that efficiently lowers the energy barrier associated with C–H bond activation. We are pleased to announce the acceptance of this research paper in ACS Energy Letters. [link]

​

​

Selected Publications   [more]

 

# CO2 Reduction