Advanced technologies for efficient energy conversion, storage, and green catalysis have become pivotal in addressing pressing global challenges related to energy scarcity and the pursuit of "dual carbon" goals. Owing to their distinctive size effects, exceptionally high specific surface areas, and tunable surface and interface properties, nanomaterials exhibit significant advantages over conventional materials in the fields of energy and catalysis. This research direction focuses on frontier applications in energy and catalysis, leveraging interdisciplinary expertise across nanoscience, materials chemistry, catalytic science, advanced characterization techniques, and energy engineering. It aims to establish an integrated research system encompassing "material design and controlled synthesis—surface/interface regulation and performance optimization—advanced characterization and mechanism exploration—system integration and practical application," providing scientific foundation and technological support for achieving green, efficient, and sustainable energy technology innovation.

Our main research directions are:

1. Nano catalysts and electrocatalysis

Owing to their special structures and surface properties, nanomaterials show stronger catalytic capability and higher selectivity than traditional catalysts, and become potentially useful catalytic materials in chemical industry.

2. Nano energy storage

Nanostructured materials have large surface areas and small dimensions. These structural features enable fast ion diffusion and charge transfer reactions on their surface, which are superior to their bulk counterparts. They are promising materials for energy storage such as supercapacitors, lithium ion batteries, sodium ion batteries and all-solid-state batteries.

3. Nano optoelectronic sensors and photovoltaic devices

Nano optoelectronic devices based on low dimensional nanostructures can break through the limitation of traditional devices and show a high degree of integration. The integration of nano optical and electronic devices with different functionalities can enhance the device performance significantly.

4. Synchrotron radiation research

We provide a multi-disciplinary platform for materials study with novel synchrotron radiation techniques. The research directions include, but not limited to, synchrotron radiation studies in nano-materials and devices, energy and environment related materials and issues, polymers and macromolecules, biomedical research, and development of novel synchrotron applications and theory.

Editor: Danting Xiang