Peng Zhu
Bio: Peng Zhu was formerly a postdoctoral associate at Rice University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering since September 2023, under the guidance of Professor Haotian Wang. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Rice University in August 2023 and his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tsinghua University in 2018. He has been recognized with the Riki Kobayashi Fellowship in 2021 and the Carbon Future Young Investigator Award in 2024. Peng's research focuses on developing novel nanomaterial synthesis strategies and exploring new electrochemical systems for enhanced CO2 capture, reduction, and other low-carbon green chemistry applications. His work aims to address critical environmental challenges by designing advanced reactors and catalysts for sustainable energy solutions.
Accelerator Project: Continuous carbon capture from seawater using solid electrolyte reactor.
The increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere leads to several environmental problems, such as global warming and ocean acidification. It is crucial to develop effective approaches to address carbon mitigation. Electrochemical CO2 capture and utilization (eCCUS) are promising solutions, as they can integrate with renewable energy inputs and have the potential to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. However, there are still challenges in achieving large-scale and highly efficient electrochemical CO2 capture. Our research focuses on a novel electrochemical reactor for continuous carbon capture from the atmosphere and seawater, addressing these critical environmental challenges. The reactor uses advanced materials to enhance the efficiency and durability of carbon capture processes. By integrating cutting-edge catalysts and optimizing reactor design, we aim to achieve high rates of CO2 capture and conversion, making the process both sustainable and economically viable. Our ultimate goal is to provide a scalable and effective solution for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, contributing to global efforts in mitigating climate change.
Flagship Destination: Greenhouse Gas Removal
Advisor: Thomas Jaramillo - Chemical Engineering