Interfacial Reactions in Electrochemical Energy Systems: From In-Situ Fundamental Studies to Commercial Applications by Professor Feng Zhenxing

29 Dec 2025 02.00 PM - 03.00 PM MSE Conference Room (N4.1-02-02) Alumni, Current Students

NTU MSE Seminar Hosted by Professor Jason Xu Zhichuan

Abstract

For electrochemical systems such as batteries and fuel cells, the gas/solid and liquid/solid interfaces are critical parts where many important reactions take place. It is critical to understand the interfacial changes for the better design of efficient energy systems. In the past years we have used various in-situ and operando synchrotron-based X-ray techniques including scattering, spectroscopy and imaging to investigate the atomic and electronic structure, chemistry and compositions of various electrochemical interfaces in fuel cells, electrolyzers, lithium-, sodium- and magnesium-batteries. In my talk, I will mainly illustrate two representative examples. I will first illustrate our efforts on using in-situ X-ray spectroscopy and scattering techniques to study electrocatalyst restructuring in highly oxidative electrochemical condition such as oxygen evolution reaction for water splitting, and how we transform these learning from fundamental studies to potential commercial applications. Then I will discuss our recent works for aqueous sodium-ion batteries to achieve fast charging, better energy density, and longer cycling life, and fundamental studies to reveal the mechanism that enables batteries’ high performance. If time allows. I will also show unique lab-based spectroscopy and imaging capabilities for in-situ study of interfacial processes beyond electrochemistry. 

Biography


Professor Feng Zhenxing
Oregon State University

Dr. Zhenxing Feng is a Professor in the School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University, USA. Dr. Feng obtained a BS at Peking University, China and MS at McGill University, Canada. After completing his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, USA, Dr. Feng worked as a postdoctoral scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR) of Argonne National Laboratory. In 2016, Dr. Feng moved to Oregon State University to start his independent career.  Dr. Feng received the Office of Navy Research (ONR) Summer Fellowship, Scialog Advanced Energy Storage Award, and was named as the highly cited researcher by Clarivate in 2022 and 2024. Dr. Feng is interested in finding design principles of various materials for energy harvesting, conversion, and storage applications.

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