Electrochemistry is now an interdisciplinary research field. It has the power to address a series of global challenges within health, energy, and environment. We are currently interested combining nanomaterials and functional polymers with electrochemistry for applications such as enzymatic bioelectrochemistry, electrochemical sensing, and electrocatalysis.

Enzymatic bioelectrochemistry studies electron communication between redox active enzymes and an electrode surface, via direct electron transfer (DET) or mediated electron transfer (MET). This can lead to different applications, such as biosensors, biofuel cells and bio-electrocatalysis. Nanostructured electrodes especially dealloyed nanoporous gold (NPG) have merits for promoting electron transfer, enhancing enzyme load and stability. Functional polymers can participate in electron transfer mediation, enzyme immobilization, and substrate enrichment. Not limited to enzyme, we can use an electrode to communicate with bio-organisms such as bacteria.

Electrochemical sensing relies on the usage of electrochemical signals (current, potential, impedance) as the recognition events. Nanomaterials can amplify the sensing signal; functional polymers can serve as a matrix to host the sensing unit or as the sensing unit itself (such as host-guest recognition). Ultimately, it enables point-of-care and wearable sensors.

Electrocatalysis with either enzymes (natural catalysts) or artificial catalysts features mild reaction conditions. We are presently interested in the design of transition metal based abiotic catalysts in certain reactions such as water splitting, a key reaction to produce green hydrogen. There are many benefits of using nanomaterials and functional polymers for electrocatalysis as well.