Direct liquid fuel cells are considered an ideal electrochemical energy device to supplement Li-batteries in some special applications, due to the higher energy density of liquid fuel, quiet operation, and independent of charging plugs. We are interested in develop direct carbohydrazide fuel cells with high power density and high energy and fuel efficiency. Now we are investigating electrochemical reaction mechanisms of carbohydrazide, hydrazine and ammonia over different types of catalysts in various conditions, and exploring efficient anode catalyst materials, with the ultimate goal of developing novel carbohydrazide fuel cell technologies.
Sponsor: Iowa Reagents Innovation Fund (RIF)
Wenzhen Li Research Group
Electrochemistry / Catalysis / Energy
/ Environment / Agriculture / Sustainability
Principal Investigator
Dr. Wenzhen Li
Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Herbert L. Stiles Faculty Fellow
Faculty Affiliate, Bioeconomy Institute (BEI)
Iowa State University
-
Walter van Schalkwijk Award in Sustainable Energy Technology, Energy Technology Division, ECS, 2025
-
ISU Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research, 2025
-
Fellow, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), 2023
2140 Biorenewables Research Laboratory (BRL)
Ames, IA 50011
Tel: 515-294-4582, Email: wzli@iastate.edu
Education:
Ph.D Physical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2004
Dissertation advisors: Prof. Qin Xin & Prof. Gongqun Sun
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology,1998
Thesis advisor: Prof. Can Li
Postdoc Researchers
Qiqi Mao, Postdoc Reseacher, October 2024-present
Education:
PhD. Chemical Engineering, Zhejinag University of Technology, 2024
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Zhejinag University of Technology, 2019
Research: Urea synthesis, C-N coupling electrochemistry, electro upcycling of
biomass and plastic wastes
Email: qiqimao@iastate.edu
Graduate Students
Tianlei Li, PhD candidate, summer 2021-present
Education:
M.S. Chemical Engineering, Rochester University, 2021
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 2013
Research: Cl2 evolution, Paired electrolysis, Innovative electrolyzer design
Email: tianleil@iastate.edu
Xiaopeng Liu, Ph.D. candidate, fall 2021-present
Education:
B.S. Materials Chemistry, Nankai University, China, 2020
Research: 2D electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction and CO2 reduction (co-advised by Dr. Yue Wu)
Email: xiaopeng@iastate.edu
Sujin Kang Ph.D. candidate, fall 2022-present
Education:
B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, South Korea, 2020
M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, South Korea, 2022
Research: CO2 capture and electroreduction
Email: sjkang96@iastate.edu
Mohammod Albloushi, PhD candidate, spring 2023-present
Education:
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2020
M.S. Chemical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2022
Research: Paired electrolyzer design, Electro-conversion of biorenewable compounds
Email: mbhador@iastate.edu
Rod Alexei De Guzman, graduate student, fall 2023 -present
Education:
B.S. Chemical Engineering,
B.S. Energy Engineering, Korea Science Academy of KAIST (KSA of KAIST), 2022
Research: Electrochemical reactor design, Urea electrosynthesis
Email: alexei@iastate.edu
Bryson Haworth, graduate student, fall 2024 -present
Education:
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Washington State University, 2024
Research: Electrochemical synthesis of valuable C-N chemicals via combined experimental and DFT approaches (co-advised by Dr. Luke Roling)
Email: brysonha@iastate.edu
Undergraduate Students
Michael Galvin, Senior
Fall 2022, ChE490; Spring, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Griswold Intern, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Independant research
Paired electrolysis, Electrocatalytic oxidation
Email: micgal22@iastate.edu
Huu Huy Nguyen, Sophomore
Fall 2023, ChE290 (ISU Honors Program), Spring, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Griswold Intern
Electrocatalyis, Electrochemical cells
Email: huy624@iastate.edu
Gunnar Dunahoo, Junior
Spring 2024, ChE490; Summer 2024 NSF-REU; Fall 2024, ChE490, Spring 2025 Griswold Intern
Electrocatalytic oxidation
Email: dunahoo@iastate.edu
Jesse Gallegos, Sophomore
Fall 2024, ChE290; Spring 2025 ChE490
CO2 capture and electroreduction
Email: jesseg1@iastate.edu
Siyao Sun, Sophomore
Spring 2025, ChE490
Electrochemical upcycling of waste plastics
Email: siyao7@iastate.edu
Group Photos
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Alumni
PhD
Dr. Basil Rawah, Spring 2023. PhD dissertation: On-site hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis via partial oxygen reduction reaction enabled by advanced carbon-based electrocatalysts and electrochemical flow reactors.
Current position: Assistant Professor, Jeddah University, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Yifu Chen, Fall 2022. PhD dissertation: Electrifying the Chemical Industry: Towards Sustainable Ammonia Production from Dinitrogen and Nitrogen-Containing Wastes
Current position: Electrolyser Specialist, Anodyne Chemistries, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Dr. Hengzhou Liu, Summer 2022, Ph.D dissertation: Electrochemical Transformation of Biomass-derived Furanic Compounds for Valuable Chemical Production and Innovative Process Development
Current position: Postdoc at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Dr. Ting-Han Lee, Summer 2022 PhD Dissertation: The developments and characterizations of polyester with built-in properties from bio-based comonomers
Current position: Postdoc at IBM, Costa Mesa, CA
Dr. David Chadderdon Spring 2018. PhD dissertation: Electrocatalysis for Selective Oxidation of Biomass-Derived Compounds
Current position: Research Scientist, NeoGraf Solutions, Cleveland, OH
Dr. Xiaotong Han Chadderdon Spring 2018, PhD: dissertation: Electrochemical Conversion of Biomass-derived Furanics for Production of Renewable Chemicals and Fuels
Current position: Research Engineer, Energizer, Cleveland, OH
Dr. Yang Qiu Spring 2018, PhD dissertation: Rational Design of Advanced Electrocatalysis for Oxygen and Hydrogen Reactions in Fuel Cells and Water Electrolyzers
Current position: Research Scientist, Evoqua Water Technologies, Boston, MA
Dr. Neeva Benipal Spring 2017. PhD dissertation: Electrocatalytic Conversion of Birenewable Feedstocks for Electricity and Chemicals Cogeneration in Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Current position: Research Engineer, California EPA, Sacramento, CA
Dr. Ji Qi Spring 2016. PhD dissertation: Electrocatalysts Design for Selective Oxidation of Organic Molecules in High-Performance Fuel Cell
Current position: Assistant Professor, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
Dr. Le Xin Spring 2014. PhD dissertation: Electrocatalytic Processing of Renewable Biomass-Derived Compounds for Production of Chemicals, Fuels and Electricity
Current position: Senior Battery Specialist, Wärtsilä Energy, Milwaukee, WI.
Dr. Zhiyong Zhang Fall 2012. PhD dissertation: Advanced Nanostructured Electro-Catalysts for Electricity Generation and Biorenewable Alcohol Conversion
Current position: Research scientist, Universal Matter Ltd, Houston, TX
MS
Mr. Mohammod Albloushi, M.S. Fall 2022
Research: Flow cell designs for electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on-site
Current position: PhD student, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Mr. Joseph Watkins, M.S. Fall 2019
Research: Electrochemical Oxidation of N-Containing Compounds for Fuel Cells
Current position: Research Engineer, Plug Power
Mr. Mohsen Torabi-Dizaji, M.S, Spring 2019
Research: Redox Flow Battery for Energy Storage
Current position: Research Engineer, Honeywell, Houston, TX
Mr. Sean Gassen, M.S. Fall 2018
Research: Direct Carbohydrazide Fuel Cell
Current position: Regulatory Consultant, EcoEngineers, Indianapolis, IN
Mr. Zhichao Wang M.S. Fall 2012
PhD: Prof. Adrienne Minerick group, Michigan Tech, 2017
Current position: Nano Process Specialist, Nanofabrication Facility at University of Delaware
Mr. Olumide Wijobi M.S. Fall 2010
Research: Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) Supported Pt and Pd Alloy Nanoparticles for Formic Acid Oxidation Reaction (FAOR)
PhD: Prof. David Shonnard group, Michigan Tech, 2019
Current position: Senior Environmental Analyst, Apple, Cupertino, CA
Mr. Phani Krishna M.S. Fall 2013
Research: Electrocatalytic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid
Postdoc Researchers
Dr. Yuhuan Fei, Mar 2024-Mar 2025
Urea electrosynthesis, paired electrolyzer design
Current position: Postdoc Researcher, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Dr. Yifu Chen, Dec 2022 - Oct 2023
Electrochemical ammonia synthesis
Current position: Electrolyser Specialist, Anodyne Chemistries, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Dr. Jungkuk Lee, May 2021 - Aug 2022
Electrochemical reduction of CO2
Current position: Advanced R&D Scientist, Research Center, Honeywell, Des Plaines, IL
Dr. Kwiyong Kim, Aug 2018 - Mar 2019
Electrosynthesis of ammonia
Current position: Assistant Professor, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea
Dr. Yang Qiu Jun 2018 Jun - Feb 2019 Feb
Electrochemical Synthesis of Ammonia, Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrate, Alkaline Electrolyte Hydrogen Oxidation
Current position: Research Scientist, Evoqua Water Technologies, Boston, MA
Dr. Le Xin May 2017 May - Apr 2018
Electrochemical Synthesis of Ammonia
Current position: Senior Battery Specialist, Wärtsilä Energy, Milwaukee, WI.
Dr. Peiqiang Li Sept 2016 - Mar 2017
Electrochemical CO2 reduction
Current position: Associate Professor at Shangdong Agricultural University, China
Undergraduates
Since 2008, totally more than 40 undergraduate students were trained in Dr. Li Lab at Iowa State and Michigan Tech through independent undergraduate course, fellowship/internship or volunteer research.
Iowa State (36): Hunter Lofgren, Rachel Bruggeman, Adriana Patino, Huy Nguyen, Yoke Qi Ho, Yu Xi, Derrick Thompson, James Lanasa, Grayson Tran, James Trettin, Dexter Clark, Mohammed Albloushi, Chang Won Lee, Yixi Zhu, Tham Tran, Zhiqun Ban, Yunshun Li, Jenna Averhof, Zachary McGraw, Jenna Willenborg, Mohemmod Al-Abri, Ivy Wu (with Prof. Panthani), Zachary McGraw, Baitong Chen, Jackson Archen, Ryan F. McSweeney, Qi Liu, Joshua Otto, Fan Jia, Andrew Forgety, Jacob Gentile, Darcie Farrell, Hyunjin Moon, Aimee Pierce, Yuan Tan, Geng Sun.
Michigan Tech: Cory Schafer, Kayla Warsco, Kellin Jayne, David Chadderdon, Brandon Spigarelli, Mengya Li, Kamonwad Yangyuenthanasan, AEE students.