Frontiers in Chemistry & Chemical Engineering

Controlling electrode/electrolyte interfaces is important for next-generation electrochemical energy storage and conversion processes in batteries, electrocatalysis, sensing, and more. Electrochemical devices consist of electrodes and electrolytes where the electrolyte modulates the transport of ions and molecules to the electrode/electrolyte interface. My research program is focused on understanding ion and molecular solvation behavior in electrolytes as a gateway to control electrochemical processes such as metal electrodeposition, ion intercalation, and electrocatalytic conversion. To tackle the challenges, we use a combination of data science, computation, and experiments. In this talk, I will discuss my groups recent efforts in (1) using data science and machine learning approaches to accelerate electrolyte discovery for batteries. (2) understanding a new class of solvent-free electrolytes and (3) using nonaqueous electrolytes to control water's microenvironment for selective electrocatalytic CO2 and CO transformations. Our focus on electrolyte discovery and design promises to expand the toolbox for selective electrochemical transformations relevant for decarbonization.