Research

Carbon-carbon (C/C) composites are a class of advanced engineering materials consisting of carbon fibers reinforced within a carbon matrix, offering exceptional mechanical strength, thermal stability, and low density for extreme environments. These composites can be designed with random fiber orientations to achieve isotropic properties, enhancing uniformity and toughness, while as functional materials, they exhibit tailored attributes such as high-temperature resistance (up to 3000°C in non-oxidizing atmospheres), superior thermal conductivity, and oxidation protection through coatings. Their synthesis typically involves processes like chemical vapor deposition or pyrolysis of precursors, enabling applications in aerospace components, brake systems, and high-performance thermal management.

Polymer composites are advanced materials that combine a polymer matrix with reinforcing fillers like fibers or particles, providing enhanced mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and lightweight design for applications in transportation and electronics. Nanocomposites elevate this by incorporating nanoscale reinforcements such as carbon nanotubes or graphene, leading to superior strength, electrical conductivity, and barrier properties through improved interfacial interactions. High-performance rubber composites, often based on elastomers like natural or synthetic rubber, integrate fillers to achieve exceptional elasticity, durability, and heat resistance, making them ideal for demanding uses in automotive tires and industrial gaskets.

Green hydrogen production technologies aim to generate hydrogen through sustainable, low-carbon processes powered by renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, thereby supporting the decarbonization of energy systems. Among these approaches, water electrolysis— including alkaline, proton exchange membrane (PEM), and solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOEC)—remains the most mature and scalable pathway, converting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity.

To date, most research efforts have concentrated primarily on the development of high-performance catalytic materials. However, limited attention has been given to (1) scalable catalyst synthesis directly on practical current collectors and (2) device engineering for large-scale hydrogen production. To bridge the gap between fundamental catalyst development and industrial implementation, our group has initiated the design of a modular alkaline water-electrolysis system featuring scaled-up metal foam electrodes coated with low-cost transition metal catalysts.

Our research endeavors are supported by various funding sources and research grants. Selected current projects include:

• Postdoctoral scholarship on the development of highly efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting, funded by the Vingroup Innovation Foundation (VinIF).

• VAST Fellowship