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
Invited Talks, Meeting Presentations & Teaching Lectures by Dr. Li (Since 2008)
2024
91
Green Ammonia Production from Electrochemically Upcycling Waste Nitrogen in an Membrane-Free Alkaline Electrolyzer, invited talk (40 min), ECS Meeting, 5/29/2024, San Francisco, CA.
90
Electrocatalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of biorenewable aldehydes over Cu-based catalysts for bipolar hydrogen production, invited talk (30 min), ACS Meeting, 3/18/2024, New Orleans, LA.
2023
89
Electrocatalytic Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Biorenewable Aldehydes over Cu-Based Catalysts for Bipolar Hydrogen Production, invited talk, AIChE annual conference, 11/08/2023, Orlando, FL.
88
Green Ammonia-Mediated CO2 Capture and Electrochemical Upgrading to Formate, AIChE annual conference, 11/07/2023, Orlando, FL.
87
Electrocatalytic Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Biorenewable Aldehydes toward High-Current Density Bipolar Hydrogen Production, invited talk (40 min), ACS Spring meeting, 3/28/2023, Indianapolis, IN
86
Membrane-free Alkaline Electrolyzer for High-Performance Ammonia Electrosynthesis from Waste Nitrogen Sources, invited talk (30 min), ACS Spring meeting, 3/28/2023, Indianapolis, IN
85
Green Ammonia-assisted CO2 Capture and Electroreduction to Valuable Chemicals, Distinguished Seminar Series, Institute of Materials Research & Innovation (IMRI), 1/30/2023, University Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA
2022
84
Unraveling the Pathways of Electrochemical Reduction of Furfural Via Tailoring Microenvironments, 242nd ECS meeting, 10/10/2022, Atlanta, GA
83
Bipolar Hydrogen Production from Biomass-Derived Aldehydes and Water in Flow Electrolyzers, 242nd ECS meeting, 10/11/2022, Atlanta, GA
82
Amino Acid Glycine-Derived Metal-Free Nitrogen-Doped Ordered Mesoporous Carbon for Efficient Electrochemical Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), 2022 AIChE annual conference, 11/17/2022, Phoenix, AZ.
81
Bipolar Hydrogen Production from Biorenewable Aldehydes and Water in Membrane-Less Electrolyzers, 2022 AIChE annual conference, 11/15/2022, Phoenix, AZ.
80
Selective Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Formate over Bismuth Nanosheets Derived By in-Situ Morphology Transformation of Bismuth Oxides, 241th ECS meeting, 6/1/ 2022, Vancouver, Canada.
79
Elucidating Pathways to Electrochemical Reduction of Furfural Via Tailoring Interfacial Environments Toward Selective Production of Valuable Furanic Chemicals, 241th ECS meeting, 5/31/ 2022, Vancouver, Canada.
2021
78
Electrocatalytic Conversion of Furanic Compounds for Production of Valuable Chemicals in Electrochemical Flow Cells, Process Intensification Using Electrochemical Routes session, 240th ECS conference, 10/13/2021, Orlando, FL.Link
77
Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Glycerol on Metal Nanoparticle Catalysts, Process Intensification Using Electrochemical Routes session, 240th ECS conference, 10/13/2021, Orlando, FL.
76
Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate for Denitrifying Wastewater, Electrochemical Water Remediation session, 240th ECS conference, 10/11/2021, Orlando, FL.
75
Electrocatalytic Conversion of Furanic Compounds for Production of Valuable Chemicals, Invited talk, 72nd International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE) conference, Virtual, 8/30/2021, Jeju Island, South Korea. Link
74
Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate to Nitrite on Oxide-Derived Silver Electrodes, Invited talk (30 min), ACS Fall Meeting, Virtual, 8/22/2021, Atlanta, GA. Link
73
Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Furanic Compounds: From Mechanism Study to Paired Electrolyzer Design, Invited talk (20 min), ACS Fall Meeting, Virtual, 8/25/2021, Atlanta, GA. Link
72
Mechanistic Study on Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Furfural Over Metal Electrodes, Chemical Catalyst 2021 (virtual meeting), keynote talks (40 min), 7/16/2021.
71
Electrochemical Fixation and Upcycling of Nitrogen, Lighting talk, 5/20/2021, NSF workshop on Accerlarating Sustainable Systems for Food Safety in Extreme Environment and Food Deserts. Links:Youtube. Lightning Talks | Convergent Food Systems
2020
70
Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts, Materials Department, Zhengzhou University, 7/22/2020, 120 min Invited virtual lecture, Zhengzhou, China.
69
Electrochemical Conversion of Biorenewable Furanic Compounds for Production of Chemicals and Fuels. Department of Chemical Engineering, New Mexico State University, 04/02/2020, 60 min invited talk, postponed due to COVID-19 spread, Las Cruces, NM.
2019
68
Electrochemical Conversion of Biorenewable Furanic Compounds for Production of Chemicals and Fuels. Department of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, 11/12/2019, Stillwater, OK.
67
Lithium-Mediated Ammonia Synthesis from Water and Nitrogen Based on a Membrane-Free Immiscible Aqueous/Organic Hybrid Electrolyte System, 10/15/2019, 236th ECS meeting, Atlanta, GA
66
Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation and Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural for Efficient Production of Biobased Monomers: A Paired Electrolyzer Approach, 10/15/2019, 236th ECS meeting, Atlanta, GA
65
Electrocatalysis for Energy and Sustainability, 2019 GPCS (Great Plains Catalysis Society) symposium, Poster, 04/12/2019, Bartlesville, OK.
64
BCC Phase PdCu Alloy as Highly Active Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Oxidation in Alkaline Electrolyte, 2019 ACS spring meeting, 04/01/2019, Orlando, FL.
63
Paired Electrochemcial Oxidation and Hydrogenation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural for Production of Biorenewable Monomers , Invited Talk (35 mins) 2019 ACS spring meeting, 03/31/2019, Orlando, FL.
2018
62
Mechanistic Insights into Selective Hydrogenation of Furfural over Metal Electrodes, 2018 AIChE annual meeting, 10/30/2018, Pittsburgh, PA.
61
PdCu Alloy Nanoparticles as Highly Active Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Oxidation in Alkaline Electrolyte, 2018 AIChE annual meeting, 10/30/2018, Pittsburgh, PA.
60
Electrochemical Conversion of Biomass-derived Furanics for Production of Chemicals and Fuels, 30-min-invited talk, 2018 AIChE annual meeting, 10/29/2018, Pittsburgh, PA.
59
Innovations in Electrochemistry: Flow Battery Development and Ammonia Electro-synthesis for Renewable Energy Storage, Power Seminar, Electrical Engineering Department, Iowa State University, 10/08/2018, Ames, IA.
58
Electrochemical Conversion of Biorenewable Furanic Compounds for Production of Chemicals and Fuels. One-hour invited talk, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Iowa, 8/30/2018, Iowa City, IA.
57
Electrochemical Conversion of Biorenewable Furanic Compounds for Production of Chemicals and Fuels. One-hour invited talk, DOE PNNL, 6/20/2018, Richland, WA.
56
Partially Reduced Metal Oxide Supported Ni-Fe Electrocatalyst for N2 Reduction to NH3 at Ambient Conditions, 233rd ECS meeting, 30-min-invited talk, 5/7/2018, Seattle, WA.
55
Understanding the Role of the PdCu Nanoalloys for the Enhanced Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction, 233rd ECS meeting, 5/8/2018, Seattle, WA.
2017
54
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals, and Fuels, Materials Science and Engineering Department, Clemson University, One-hour invited talk, 10/19/2017, Clemson, SC
53
Composite Photoelectrocatalysts for TEMPO-mediated Alcohol Oxidations, 232nd ECS meeting, 10/11/2017, National Harbor, MD.
52
Mechanistic Insights into Furfural Reduction on Metal Electrodes: Distinguishing Pathways for Selective Hydrogenation of Biorenewable Oxygenates, 232nd ECS meeting, 10/11/2017, National Harbor, MD.
51
Mechanistic Understanding of Electrochemical C=O Reduction Enables Selective Production of Biorenewable Chemicals Outstanding Alumni Lecture, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), 5/26/2017, Dalian, China
50
Introduction to Electrocatalysis, 2 hours teaching lecture, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), 5/26/2017, Dalian, China
49
Mechanistic Understanding of Electrochemical C=O Reduction Enables Selective Production of Biorenewable Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology Panjin Campus, One-hour invited talk, 5/25/2017, Panjin, China.
48
Mechanistic Understanding of Electrochemical C=O Reduction Enables Selective Production of Biorenewable Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, One-hour invited talk, 5/24/2017, Dalian, China.
47
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals, and Fuels, Materials Science and Engineering Department, Iowa State University, 2/16/2017, Ames, IA.
2016
46
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals, and Fuels,Frontier in Biorefining 2016, 11/09/2016, St. Simons Island, GA.
45
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals, and Fuels, EMS Energy Institute, Pennsylvania State University, 10/14/2016, University Park, PA.
44
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals, and Fuels, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Kansas, 9/26/2016, Lawrence, KS.
43
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals, and Fuels, Chemical Engineering Department, Mississippi State University, 9/16/2016, Starkville, MS.
42
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals, and Fuels, Chemistry Department, University of Wisconsin Madison, 5/4/2016 Madison, WI.
2015
41
Selective Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Multi-Functional Biorenewable Molecule 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) over PdAu Catalysts, 2015 AIChE, Salt Lake City, UT.
40
Metal-catalyst-free fuel cells, 2015 AIChE, Salt Lake City, UT.
39
Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution over Nano-scaled Amorphous Ni-Fe Particles in Alkaline Electrolyte, 2015 AIChE, Salt Lake City, UT.
38
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals and Fuels, Laboratory of Advanced Materials & Catalytic Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Jul 27, 2015, Dalian, China.
37
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals and Fuels, Outstanding Alumni Lecture, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Jul 14, 2015, Dalian, China.
36
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals and Fuels, College of Materials, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jul 9, 2015, Wuhan, China.
35
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biorenewables for Generation of Electricity, Chemicals and Fuels, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin Campus, Jul 7, 2015, Panjin, China.
2014
34
Electrocatalytic processing of biorenewables for generation of electricity, chemicals and fuels, Mechanical Engineering Department, Indianapolis University Purdue University - Indianapolis, 60-min invited talk, 10/03/2014, Indianapolis, IN.
33
Electrocatalytic processing of biorenewables for generation of electricity, chemicals and fuels, Chemical Engineering Department, Kansas State University, 60-min invited talk, 09/24/2014, Manhattan, KS.
32
Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Supported Cu nanoparticles, NASA CO2-Manufacuring Workshop, 15 min invited talk, 6/28/2014, Mountain View, CA.
31
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biomass-derived Compounds for Sustainable Generation of Electricity, Chemicals and Fuels, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, 60-min invited talk, 3/12/2014, Buffalo, NY.
30
Electrocatalytic Processing of Biomass-Derived Compounds for Sustainable Production of Electricity, Valuable Chemicals and Biofuels, Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Iowa State University, 60-min invited talk, 2/5/2014, Ames, IA.
2013
29
Electricity storage in biofuels: Selective electrocatalytic reduction of levulinic acid to valeric acid or γ-valerolactone,Le Xin, Zhiyong Zhang, Ji Qi, David Chadderdon, Wenzhen Li*, 30-min invited talk, Frontiers in Energy Conversion and Fuel Production section, 246th ACS meeting, Indianapolis, IN. (Sept 12, 2013).
28
Selective electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerol to electricity generation and valuable chemicals production in anion exchange membrane (AEM) reactors, Wenzhen Li*, Zhiyong Zhang, Le Xin, Ji Qi, David Chadderdon, 30-min invited talk, Electrocatalysis of Energy Generation and Storage Section, 246 ACS meeting, Indianapolis, IN. (Sept 9, 2013).
27
Low temperature electro-oxidation of hydrocarbons in fuel cells: Review, our work, challeges and opportunities, Wenzhen Li, DARPA electrochemistry workshop, 40 min talk, Caltech, Pasadena, Aug 12, 2013.
26
Sustainable Production of Electrical Energy, Valuable Chemicals and Fuels from Biomass-Derived Compounds over Advanced Electrocatalysts, Wenzhen Li, 60-min invited talk, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. (May 28, 2013).
25
Sustainable Production of Electrical Energy, Valuable Chemicals and Fuels from Biomass-Derived Compounds over Advanced Electrocatalysts, Wenzhen Li, 60-min invited talk, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. (Feb 25, 2013).
2012
24
Electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerol to glycolate on carbon nanotube supported Au nanoparticles, Zhiyong Zhang, Le Xin, Ji Qi, Zhichao Wang, Wenzhen Li, 244 ACS meeting, Aug 19-23, Philadelphia, PA.(Aug 21, 2012)
22
High power density low Pt loading anion exchange membrane - direct crude glycerol fuel cells, Ji Qi, Le Xin, Zhiyong Zhang, Wenzhen Li*, 244 ACS meeting, Philadelphia, PA. (Aug 21, 2012).
21
Simultaneous generation of valuable chemicals and electricity from selective electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerol in anion exchange membrane fuel cell reactors, 40-min invited talk in "Frontiers in Energy and Fuels" section, Zhiyong Zhang, Le Xin, Ji Qi, Zhichao Wang, David Chadderdon, Wenzhen Li*, 244 ACS meeting, Philadelphia, PA.(Aug 19, 2012)
20
Selective electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerol on bimetallic anode catalysts in anion exchange membrane fuel cells, Le Xin, Zhiyong Zhang, Ji Qi, Wenzhen Li , 244 ACS meeting, Philadelphia, PA. (Aug 19, 2012)
19
High power density low Pt loading anion exchange membrane - direct crude glycerol fuel cells, Ji Qi, Le Xin, Zhiyong Zhang, Wenzhen Li, 244 ACS meeting, Philadelphia, PA.(Aug 19, 2012)
18
Review on low temperature electro-oxidation of hydrocarbons in fuel cells, DARPA electrochemistry workshop, 60 min talk, Denver. (July 11, 2012)
17
Li, W., Xin, L., Zhang, Z., Qi, J., ACS Annual Conference 2012, "Selective Oxidation of EG on Pt/C and Au/C in AEMFC" San Diego, CA. (March 25, 2012).
16
Li, W., Xin, L., Zhang, Z., ACS Annual Conference 2012, "Cogeneration of Valuable Chemicals and Electricity from Glycerol in AEMFC" San Diego, CA. (March 27, 2012).
2011
15
Li, W., Zhang, Z., Xin, L., AIChE Annual Conference 2011, "Electrocatalytic Processing of Polyols Based On Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells" AIChE, Minneapolis, MN. (October 20, 2011).
14
Li, W., Xin, L., Zhang, Z., American Chemical Society Annual Conference 2011, "Non-Pt Cathode Catalysts for Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells" American Chemical Society, Denver, CO. (August 30, 2011).
13
Li, W., North American Catalysis Society Meeting 2011, "PdFe Nanoleaves as Highly Active Electrocalyts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in High pH Media" North American Catalysis Society, Detroit. (June 7, 2011).
12
Li, W., North American Catalysis Society Meeting 2011, "PdNi Bimetallic Catalysts for Facile Ethanol Oxidation Reaction in Alkaline Electrolyte" North American Catalysis Society, Detroit. (June 6, 2011).
2010
11
Li, W., Albany Nano College Seminar 2010, "One Dimensional Catalysts for Electrochemical Energy Conversion" Albany Nano College Seminar. (October 22, 2010).
10
Li, W., "One dimensional Fuel Cell Catalysts: From carbon nanotubes support to metal alloy nanorods" Gordon Conference. (June 27, 2010 - July 1, 2010).
9
Li, W., ORNL Sminar 2010, "One dimensional Fuel Cell Catalysts: From carbon nanotubes support to metal alloy nanorods" Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), DOE, Oak Ridge, TN. (June 9, 2010).
2009
8
Li, W., Yangyuenthanasan, K., Zhang, Z., AIChE annual meeting 2009, "PdFe Nanorods as Highly Active Electrocatalysts for Ethanol Oxidation in Alkaline" AIChE, Nashville, TN. (November 12, 2009).
7
Li, W., AIChE annual meeting 2009, "One-dimensional (1-D) Electrocatalysts for low temperature fuel fells- from carbon nanotubes support to unsupported metal alloy nanorods" AIChE, Nashville, TN. (November 8, 2009).
6
Li, W., ACS annual meeting 2009, "One dimensional fuel cell electrocatalysts" American Chemical Society, Washting D.C.. (August 20, 2009).
5
Li, W., State Key Lab of Fine Chemical Engineering in Dalian University of Technology Seminar 2009, "A solution phase synthesis method to highly active PtCo/C PEMFC cathode catalyst" University Key Lab Visiting Scholar, Ministry of Education, China, Dalian Univerisity of Technology, China. (July 2009).
4
Li, W., State Key Lab of Fine Chemical Engineering in Dalian University of Technology Seminar 2009, "One-dimensional PdFe Nanorods as Electrocatalyst for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)" University Key Lab Visiting Scholar Fund, Dalian University of Technology, China. (July 2009).
3
Li, W., Electrochemical Society Meeting 2009, "An organic phase synthesis method to highly active PtCo/C PEMFC cathode catalyst", San Francisco. (May 2009).
2
Li, W., Electrochemical Society Meeting 2009, "One-dimensional PdFe Nanorods as Electrocatalyst for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)", San Francisco, CA. (May 2009).
2008
1
Li, W., King, J. A., Keith, J. M., Meng, D., AET Connect & Collaborate 2008, "Fuel Cell Materials Research at Michigan Technological University", Detroit, MI. (October 10, 2008).
Presentations by Li Group Students
2023
10.
Furfural Oxidation Paired with Hydrogen Evolution on NiFe/Ni Foam and MXene-supported Catalysts, Mohammad Albloushi, Xiaopeng Liu, Great Plains Catalysis Society (GPCS) Symposium, 9/11/2023, Lawrence, KS.
9.
CO2 Electroreduction to CO from Bicarbonate Capture Solution over Single Atom Catalysts in Flow Cell, Sujin Kang, Great Plains Catalysis Society (GPCS) Symposium, 9/11/2023, Lawrence, KS.
8.
MOF-derived CO3O4/Nitrogen-doper Carbon Composite for Chlorine-assisted Production of Ethylene Oxide, Tianlei Li, Great Plains Catalysis Society (GPCS) Symposium, 9/11/2023, Lawrence, KS.
7.
Green Ammonia-Mediated CO2 Capture and Direct Electrochemical Reduction to Formate, Invited Talk, Yifu Chen, 243rd ECS meeting, 5/30/2023, Boston, MA
6.
Amino Acid Glycerin-Derived Metal Free Nitrogen-Doped Ordered Mesoporous Carbon for Efficient Electrochemical Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), Basil Rawah, Chicago, AIChE Midwest Regional Conference, 4/11/2023, Chicago, IL
2022
5
Electrochemically Upcycling Waste Nitrogen into Ammonia in a Membrane-Free Alkaline Electrolyzer, Yifu Chen, 242nd ECS meeting, 10/12/2022, Atlanta, GA
4
Electrocatalytic Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide on Cobalt Nanoparticles Embedded in Nitrogen-Doped Carbon, Basil Rawah, Great Plains Catalysis Society (GPCS) Symposium, 8/15/2022, Ames, IA
2021
3
Paired Flow Electrolyzer for Furanic Compounds Conversion to Valuable Chemicals, Hengzhou Liu, 2021 AIChE annual conference, 11/07/2021, Boston, MA. Link
2
Advanced Reactor Design for Ammonia Production from Electrochemical Nitrogen and Nitrate Reduction, Yifu Chen, 2021 AIChE annual conference. 11/10/2021, Boston, MA. Link
2020
1
Electrosynthesis of H2O2 over Co-N-doped Ordered Mesoporous Carbon (Co-N-OMC), Basil Rawah, 2020 ECS meeting. 11/23/2020, Link