Research

Primary research projects in this laboratory encompasses electrochemical energy conversion and and sensing using novel nanomaterials. The main focus of these research projects is on materials innovation where we are trying to design electrocatalysts for (i) water splitting; (ii) CO2 reduction to value-added carbon-rich fuels and chemicals; and (iii) biosensing of metabolic and neurological biomarkers. The catalyst design principle is based on obtaining a deeper insight into the fundamental chemistry aspect of the electrochemical activity of these catalytic surfaces. We also emphasize on innovative synthesis techniques to produce nanomaterials, especially nanotube and nanorod arrays for transitioning into high-efficiency functional units.

Research in the Nath group is funded through National Science Foundation (NSF, Chemical Catalysis and Department of Materials Research), American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Funds (ACS-PRF) and Department of Energy (DOE).

Materials innovation for electrochemical water splitting with non-precious element based electrocatalysts and nanostructures
Designed synthesis of non-precious element based OER catalysts
The catalyst design principle followed in the Nat h laboratory (upper left) to design optimal CO2RR catalysts for producing carbon-rich products (upper figure). Upper right corner shows a schematic representation of the electrochemical cell.
CdTe nanorod arrays for high-efficiency solar cells
Novel superconducting MgB2 nnaosprings