The Defect Catalysis Lab(The “DFC”Lab) is dedicated to pioneering the science and application of defect-engineered materials, with a unifying vision to transform energy conversion and storage technologies. Since our groundbreaking proposal in 2015 that identified defect structures as fundamental catalytic centers—a concept that initiated and now underpins the thriving field of defect catalysis—we have established a comprehensive research paradigm spanning from fundamental theory to scalable synthesis and practical implementation.
Our work is structured around three synergistic pillars:
- Advanced Defective Materials Synthesis and Fabrication: We innovate in the precise creation and control of defects, developing a suite of proprietary methodologies—such as doping atom removal, directed synthesis, and the defect trapping method—to synthesize tailored defective materials. A core mission is to scale these techniques and establish the foundational principles of "defective chemistry."
- Energy Catalysis and Conversion: We design defect-engineered catalysts to drive key sustainable energy reactions, including water splitting, CO2reduction, and fuel cell processes. By meticulously tuning defect properties, we control electronic structures and reaction pathways to achieve unparalleled activity and selectivity. Our integrated approach combines advanced operando characterization and theoretical modeling to decode the definitive relationships between defect structure and catalytic function.
- Next-Generation Energy Storage: We engineer defects in materials for both battery and hydrogen storage systems. For batteries, defects enhance ion transport and electrode stability; for hydrogen storage, they optimize binding kinetics and capacity. Our goal is to overcome critical challenges in energy density and longevity, positioning defect engineering as a transformative paradigm for storage technologies.
Ultimately, through the convergent themes of design, understanding, and application, our team aims to provide foundational insights and revolutionary materials that address global energy sustainability challenges.
The director of the "DFC" Lab is Prof. Xiangdong Yao. The lab currently has 11 academic staff members, including 1 national-level talent, 1 national-level young talent, and 5 provincial-level young talents. There are also 5 postdoctoral researchers, 23 doctoral students, and 24 master's students. We welcome students and researchers with backgrounds in materials, chemistry, and energy to join our laboratory.
