Research Interest:
Addressing the energy needs of China and the world is the science and engineering challenge of the 21st century. Energy is also one of three thrusts in the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI). Solutions will require large mobilization and investments in research and development in a number of energy-related technologies. Foremost among these is improved utilization of solar energy, and in particular novel conversion schemes for harnessing sunlight energy to produce chemical fuels. A greater fundamental understanding of photocatalysis can provide a rational basis for the needed advances and discoveries of new materials and processes.

Peng Zhao has broad interests in energy science and industry as well as policy-making and relations between government and enterprise. Peng’s current research projects include:
1) Fundamental Studies of Surface Processes for Pyridinium-based Photoelectrocatalytic Reduction of CO2;
2) Photochemistry at Hematite Surfaces for Production of Renewable Hydrogen.

Selected Publications:

1. Photoelectrochemistry and Surface Science of Iron Oxide Surfaces. Zhao P, Fu J, Koel BE, et al. J. Phys. Chem. C 2013.
2. WO3-α-Fe2O3 composite photoelectrodes with low onset potential for solar water oxidation. Zhao P, Kronawitter CX, Koel BE, et al. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2013.
3. Synthesis of LiV3O8 Nanorods and Shape-dependent Electrochemical Performance. Zhao P, Wang DS, Li YD, et al. J. Mater. Res. 2011, 3, 424.
4. General preparation for Pt-based alloy nanoporous nanoparticles as potential nanocatalysts. Wang DS, Zhao P, Li YD. Nature Scientific Reports 2011, 1, 37.
5. Monodispersed Pd-Ni Nanoparticles: Composition Control Synthesis and Catalytic Properties in the Miyaura-Suzuki Reaction. Wu YE, Wang DS, Zhao P, et al. Inorg. Chem. 2011, 6, 2046.
6. Rare-Earth Oxide Nanostructures: Rules of Rare-Earth Nitrate Thermolysis in octadecylamine. Wang DS, Wang ZY, Zhao P, et al. Chem.-An Asian J. 2010, 4, 925.
7. Gd(III)[15-Metallacrown-5] Recognition of Chiral α-Amino Acid Analogues. Lim CS, Jankolovits J, Zhao P, Pecoraro VL. Inorg. Chem. 2011, 50, 483