People
LU Yi-Chun 盧怡君
Associate Professor, MSc Programme Director
TEL: 852 - 3943 8339
Room 205, William M.W. Mong Engineering Building

Prof. Yi-Chun Lu received her B.S. degree in Materials Science & Engineering from National Tsing Hua University in 2007 and Ph.D. degree in Materials Science & Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2012. After her graduate study, she worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Chemistry at the Technische Universität München (2013). She joined The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 2013 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018.

Prof. Lu is the Founding Member of Young Academy of Science of Hong Kong and was the recipient of the Hong Kong SAR Research Grants Council Early Career Award (2014), Young Researchers Award (2016), University Education Award (2016) and United College Early Career Research Excellence Award (2018). Her research interest centers on developing fundamental understandings and material design principles for clean energy storage and conversion. In particular, her research group focuses on electrode and electrolyte design for high-energy metal-air and metal-sulfur batteries; redox-active components and solution chemistry for redox-flow batteries; mechanistic understanding of interfacial phenomena governing electrochemical energy conversion and storage processes.

Prof. Lu currently serves as an Associate Editor and Board Member for Journal of Materials Chemistry A (Royal Society of Chemistry), and Editorial Board Member for Materials Today (Elsevier) and Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group).

Research Interests
  • Energy Storage and Utilization
  • Batteries & Fuel Cells
  • Redox Flow Batteries
  • Energy Storage for Electric Vehicles & Micro-Grid
Current Projects
  • Electrode and electrolyte design for high-energy metal-air and metal sulfur batteries.
  • Redox-active components and solution chemistry for redox-flow batteries.
  • Electrocatalysts and electrode design for low-temperature fuel cells and electrolyzers
  • Mechanistic understanding of interfacial phenomena governing electrochemical energy conversion and storage processes.
Teaching by Years
2020/2021
EEEN4050 Energy Storage Devices and Systems
2019/2020
EEEN3030 Engineering Materials
EEEN4050 Energy Storage Devices and Systems
2018/2019
EEEN3030 Engineering Materials
EEEN4050 Energy Storage Devices and Systems
Publications

Journal Papers

  • Cong G., Wang W., Lai N.C, Liang Z. and Lu Y.C.*, “A high-rate and long-life organic-oxygen battery” Nature Materials, Online, 2019
  • Li Z., Zhou Y., Wang Y. and Lu Y.C.*, “Solvent-Mediated Li2S Electrodeposition: A Critical Manipulator in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries” Advanced Energy Materials, 9, 1802207
  • Liang Z., Zhou Y. and Lu Y.C.*, “Dynamic Oxygen Shield Eliminates Cathode Degradation in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries” Energy & Environmental Science, 2018, 11, 3500-3510
  • Wang Y., Lai N.C., Lu Y.R., Zhou Y., Dong C.L. and Lu Y.C.*, “A Solvent-Controlled Oxidation Mechanism of Li2O2 in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries” Joule, 2018, 2(11), 2018, 2364-2380
  • Zou Q., Liang Z., Du Q., Liu C., Li, E.Y. and Lu Y.C.*, “Cation-Directed Selective Polysulfide Stabilization in Alkali Metal-Sulfur Batteries” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2018, 140 (34), 10740-10748
  • Chen N., Zhou Y., and Lu Y.C.*, “Lithium-Organic Nanocomposite Suspension for High-Energy-Density Redox Flow Batteries” ACS Energy Letters, 2018, 3, 1991-1997
  • Lai N.C., Cong G., Liang Z. and Lu Y.C.*, “A Highly Active Oxygen Evolution Catalyst for Lithium-Oxygen Batteries Enabled by High-Surface-Energy Facets” Joule, 2018, 2, 8, 1511-1521
  • Chen H., Lai N.C. and Lu Y.C.*, “Silicon-Carbon Nanocomposite Semi-Solid Negolyte and its Application in Redox Flow Batteries” Chemistry of Materials, 29, 2017, 7533-7542
  • Wang W., Lai N.C., Liang Z. Wang Y. and Lu Y.C.*, “Superoxide stabilization and a universal KO2 growth mechanism in potassium-oxygen batteries” Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed, 2018, 57, 5042-5046
  • Chen H., Cong G. and Lu Y.C.*, “Recent progress in organic redox flow batteries: Active materials, electrolytes and membranes” Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2018 in press
  • Lai N.C., Cong G., Liang Z. and Lu Y.C.*, “A Highly Active Oxygen Evolution Catalyst for Lithium-Oxygen Batteries Enabled by High-Surface-Energy Facets” Joule, 2018, In press
  • Zhou Y., Li Z., and Lu Y.C.*, “A stable lithium-selenium interface via solid/liquid hybrid electrolytes: Blocking polyselenides and suppressing lithium dendrite” Nano Energy, 39, 2017, 554-561
  • Liang Z, Zou. Q, Wang Y. and Lu Y.C.*, “Recent Progress in Applying In Situ/Operando Characterization Techniques to Probe the Solid/Liquid/Gas Interfaces of Li-O2 Batteries” Small Methods, 2017, 1700150
  • Cong G., Zhou Y., Li Z., and Lu Y.C.*, ” A Highly Concentrated Catholyte Enabled by a Low-Melting-Point Ferrocene Derivative” ACS Energy Letter, 2017, 2, pp 869-875
  • Weng G.M., Li Z., Zhou Y., Cong G., and Lu Y.C.*, “Unlocking the capacity of iodide for high-energy-density zinc/polyiodide and lithium/polyiodide redox flow batteries” Energy & Environmental Science, 2017,10, 735-741
  • Weng G.M., Tam L.Y., and Lu Y.C.*, “High-performance LiTi2(PO4)3 anodes for high-areal-capacity flexible aqueous lithium-ion batteries” Journal of Materials Chemistry A , Theme Collection in Emerging Investigators 2017
  • Li Z., Weng G.M., Zou Q., Cong G., and Lu Y.C.*, “A high-energy and low-cost polysulfide/iodide redox flow battery” Nano Energy, 30, 283-292, 2016
  • Liang Z., and Lu Y.C.*, “Critical Role of Redox Mediator in Suppressing Charging Instabilities of Lithium-Oxygen Batteries” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 138 (24), 7574-7583 (2016).
  • Zou Q., and Lu Y.C.*, “Solvent-Dictated Lithium Sulfur Redox Reactions: An Operando UV-vis Spectroscopic Study” J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 7, 1518-1525 (2016).
  • Wang Y., Liang Z., Zou Q., Cong G. and Lu Y.C.*, “Mechanistic Insights into Catalyst-Assisted Non-Aqueous Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries” J. Phys. Chem. C, 120 (12), 6459-6466 (2016).
  • Chen H., and Lu Y.C*, “A High-Energy-Density Multiple Redox Semi-Solid-Liquid Flow Battery” Adv. Energy Mater., 6(8), 2183, (2016).
  • Quinlan R.A, Lu Y.C., Kwabi D. Shao-Horn Y. and Mansour A.N. “XPS Investigation of the Electrolyte Induced Stabilization of LiCoO2 and “AlPO4″-Coated LiCoO2 Composite Electrodes” J. Electrochem. Soc. 163, 2, A300-A308, (2016).
  • Chen H., Zou Q., Liang Z., Liu H., Li Q., and Lu Y.C.*, “Sulphur-Impregnated Flow Cathode to Enable High-Energy-Density Lithium Flow Batteries” Nat. Commun., 6, 5877, (2015).
  • Huang Y., Liu H., Lu Y.C., Hou Y., Li Q., “Electrophoretic Lithium Iron Phosphate/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite for Lithium Ion Battery Cathode Application” J. Power Source 284, 236-244 (2015).
  • Lin X., Kavian R., Lu Y.C., Hu Q., Shao-Horn Y., and Grinstaff M.W., “Thermally-responsive, nonflammable phosphonium ionic liquid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries: operating at 100 degrees celsius” Chem. Sci., 6, 6601-6606 (2015).
  • Lu Y.C., He Q., Gasteiger H.A., “Probing the Lithium-Sulfur Redox Reactions: A Rotating-Ring Disk Electrode Study” J. Phy. Chem. C 118, 5733-5741 (2014).
  • Yao K.P.C., Lu Y.C., Amanchukwu C.V., Kwabi D.G., Risch M., Zhou, J., Grimaud A., Hammond P.T., Bardé F., and Shao-Horn Y., “The influence of transition metal oxides on the kinetics of Li2O2 oxidation for Li-O2 batteries: high activity of chromium oxides” Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 16, 2297-2304 (2014)
  • Lu Y.C., Gallant B.M., Kwabi D.G., Harding J.R., Mitchell R.R., Whittingham S.M., and Shao-Horn Y., “Lithium-Oxygen Batteries: Bridging Mechanistic Understanding and Battery Performance” Energy Environ. Sci. 6(3) 750-768 (2013)
  • Lu Y.C., and Shao-Horn Y., “Probing the Reaction Kinetics of the Charge Reactions of Nonaqueous Li-O2 Batteries” J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 4(1) 93-99 (2013)
  • Quinlan R.A., Lu Y.C., Shao-Horn Y., and Mansour A.N., “XPS Studies of Surface Chemistry Changes of LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 Electrodes during High-Voltage Cycling” J. Electrochem. Soc. 160 (4) A669-A677 (2013)
  • Yao, K.P.C., Kwabi D.G., Quinlan R.A., Mansour A.N., Grimaud A., Lee Y.-L., Lu Y.C., and Shao-Horn Y., “Thermal Stability of Li2O2 and Li2O for Li-Air Batteries: In Situ XRD and XPS Studies” J. Electrochem. Soc. 160 (6) A1-A7 (2013)
  • Lu Y.C., Crumlin E., Carney J.T., Baggetto L., Veith G.M., Dudney N.J., Liu Z., and Shao-Horn Y. “Influence of Hydrocarbon and CO2 on the Reversibility of Li-O2 Chemistry Using In Situ Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy” J. Phy. Chem. C, 117, 25948-25954 (2013)
  • Oh D., Qi J., Lu Y.C., Zhang Y, Shao-Horn Y., and Belcher A.M. “Biologically enhanced cathode design for improved capacity and cycle life for lithium-oxygen batteries” Nat. Commun., 4, Article number: 2756 (2013)
  • Lu Y.C., Crumlin E., Veith G.M., Harding J.R., Mutoro E., Baggetto L., Dudney N.J., Liu Z., and Shao-Horn Y., “In Situ Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Studies of Lithium-Oxygen Redox Reactions” Sci. Rep. 2, Article #715 (2012)
  • Harding R.J., Lu Y.C., Tsukada Y., and Shao-Horn Y., “Evidence of Catalyzed Oxidation of Li2O2 for Rechargeable Li-Air Battery Applications” Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 14 (30) 10540-10546 (2012)
  • Lu Y.C., Gasteiger H.A., and Shao-Horn Y., “Catalytic Activity Trends of Oxygen Reduction Reaction for Nonaqueous Li-Air Batteries” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 133(47) 19048-19051 (2011)
  • Lu Y.C., Kwabi D.K., Yao K.P.C., Harding J.R., Zhou J., Zuin L., and Shao-Horn Y., “The Discharge Rate Capability of Rechargeable Li-O2 Batteries” Energy Environ. Sci. 4(8) 2999-3007 (2011)
  • Lu Y.C., Gasteiger H.A., and Shao-Horn Y., “Method Development to Evaluate the Oxygen Reduction Activity of High-Surface-Area Catalysts for Li-Air Batteries” Electrochem. Solid State Lett. 14(5) A70-A74 (2011)
  • Yabuuchi N., Lu Y.C., Mansour A.N., Chen S., and Shao-Horn Y., “The Influence of Heat-Treatment Temperature on the Cation Distribution of LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 and Its Rate Capability in Lithium Rechargeable Batteries” J. Electrochem. Soc. 158(2) A192-A200 (2011)
  • Lu Y.C., Xu Z., Gasteiger H.A., Chen S., Hamad-Schifferli K., and Shao-Horn Y., “Platinum-Gold nanoparticles: A Highly Active Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Lithium-Air Batteries” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 132(35) 12170-12171 (2010)
  • Lu Y.C., Gasteiger H.A., Parent M., Chiloyan V., and Shao-Horn Y., “The Influence of Catalysts on Discharge and Charge Voltages of Rechargeable Li-Oxygen Batteries” Electrochem. Solid State Lett. 13(6) A69-A72 (2010)
  • Lu Y.C., Gasteiger H.A., Crumlin E., McGuire R., and Shao-Horn Y., “Electrocatalytic Activity Studies of Select Metal Surfaces and Implications in Li-Air Batteries” J. Electrochem. Soc. 157(9) A1016-A1025 (2010)
  • Yabuuchi N., Lu Y.C., Mansour A.N., and Shao-Horn Y., “The Influence of Surface Chemistry on the Rate Capability of LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 for Lithium Rechargeable Batteries” Electrochem. Solid State Lett. 13(11) A158-A161 (2010)

Books

  • B. M. Gallant, Y.C. Lu, R.R. Mitchell, D.G. Kwabi, T.J. Carney, C.V. Thompson and Y. Shao-Horn, ” The Kinetics and Product Characteristics of Oxygen Reduction and Evolution in Li-O2 Batteries,” N. Imanishi, A.C. Luntz and P. Bruce (eds.), The Lithium Air Battery – Fundamentals, Springer, pp. 121-158, 2014.