Liu Lab on Energy Conversion and Catalysis (L2EC)
  
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Research ​
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To tackle the increasing global energy challenges, our group adopts two complementary approaches to harnessing renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, and hydroelectric): rechargeable batteries and electrocatalysis. 
The battery program develops novel battery technologies beyond traditional Li ion and lead acid batteries to seek applications in renewable energy integration, portable electronic devices, and electric vehicles. We primarily emphasize the development of multivalent metal batteries (Zn, Al, Ca, and Mg) and redox flow batteries while we are also interested in discovering new technologies to advance Li ion batteries. 
The electrocatalysis program encompasses synthesis and electrochemical tests of bio-inspired (e.g. hydrogenase and nitrogenase) molecular catalysts and hybrid organic/inorganic nano-catalysts for chemical fuel production (H2, CO, alcohols, and hydrazine) using earth abundant materials (H2O, CO2, and N2) and renewable energy sources, and also electrochemical consumption of chemical fuels. At the fundamental level, we want to manage multi-proton-multi-electron transfers to facilitate catalytic energy conversion at optimal rate and energy efficiency. Additionally, we are extremely enthusiastic in fabricating energy device prototypes (electrolyzers and fuel cells) for technical implementation.

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The third theme in our group is directed on the development of well-defined molecular catalysts based on inexpensive metals (e.g. Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, W, Mo) to handle homogenous catalysis that is traditionally achieved by precious metal (e.g. Rh, Ir, and Pd) based catalysts. To realize “base metals for noble tasks”, we pay particular attention to ligand design and take fully advantage of the ligand second coordination sphere effect and the metal-ligand cooperation effect for highly efficient bond activation and formation, and their uses in catalytic synthesis of valuable organic products. 


Our Sponsors
Our research have been generously sponsored by federal and state funding agencies, and non-profit foundations listed below. We appreciate your support very much!
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Research Facilities
Our group hosts a number of state of the art experimental and analytic instruments and has access to research facilities at USU campus and USTAR Nanofabrication Center at University of Utah. We have advanced skills and techniques to handle solid materials and molecule (both organic and inorganic) synthesis and characterization.  

We offer technic services and solution consultation to external users (please contact Professor Liu directly).

Our broad 
technical capacities are illustrated in photos below. 
Synthesis Platform
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Multifunctional glovebox
  • O2 (< 1 ppm) and water free (< 1 ppm) synthesis and operations
  • Temperature control: -196 to 150 C
  • Battery assembling
  • Integrated operando tests: UV-Vis, IR, E-chem, battery studies
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Automatic solvent purification system:
  • THF, DME, Toluene, CH3CN, CH2Cl2, Pentane, Methanol
  • O2 free and water < 20 ppm
Manual distillation pots to generate highly pure organic solvents, O2 free and water < 10 ppm
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Home designed Schlenk line (6 lines):
  • Water and O2 free synthesis 
  • Ar/N2 atmosphere operation
  • High vacuum operation
  • Integrated temperature control: -190 to 300 C
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Tube furnace:
  • ​Solid (and gas) phase synthesis
  • Temperature control: up to 1500 C
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Vacuum oven:
  • High vacuum operation
  • Temperature control: up to 200 C
  • Solid sample drying
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Rotovap (3 units):
  • High vacuum and temperature control
  • Liquid sample drying
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Drying oven (5 units):
  • Temperature control up to 300 C
  • Drying glassware, lab supplies, sold samples
  • Hydrothermal and solvent thermal synthesis
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Temperature controller
  • Reaction temp control: -50 to 150 C
Electrochemical Testing Platform
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Multifunctional potentiostats (5 units):
  • Physical Echem: CV, DPV, LSV, BE, CA, EIS etc.
  • Energy tests: batteries, fuel cells, electrocatalysis, and sensors
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Rotation electrode controller
  • Physical Echem: RDE, RRDE
  • Electrochemical kinetics: diffusion coefficient, electron transfer rate, catalytic rates etc.
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Conductivity meter and pH meter
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Multi-channel battery testers (12 units, 96 channels):
  • Solid battery tests: 1 uA to100 mA, -5 to 5 V
  • Flow battery tests: 10 mA to 5 A, -5 to 5 V
  • Integrated temperature control: -50 to 200 C
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Coin cell crimper:
  • Installed in glovebox
  • Easy assembling CR 2032 coin cells and other types
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Home designed redox flow battery platform:
  • 5 units for 10 battery testing simultaneously 
  • Integrated temperature control: -50 to 200 C
  • Scalable modules
​Thank you for visiting us!​
www.tianbiaoliu.org
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Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Utah State University
300 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322
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