Prof. Guobin Wen | Electrocatalysis | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Hunan University, China

Guobin Wen is an accomplished researcher in the field of electrochemical energy systems, with a specialization in carbon dioxide conversion technologies. His career spans significant academic appointments and postdoctoral research roles, marked by a consistent focus on catalysis, reactor design, and sustainable energy solutions. With a foundation in chemical and energy engineering, he has emerged as a prominent figure in the development of nanostructured materials and electrode architectures aimed at addressing environmental and energy challenges through advanced electrochemical processes.

Profile

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Education

Dr. Wen received his foundational education in engineering from Tianjin University, where he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. His bachelor’s project, in collaboration with Procter & Gamble Technology Co., Ltd., involved studying chemical mechanisms in industrial processes. He proceeded to conduct his master’s research on multi-scale simulations of heat exchangers, a study that sharpened his skills in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. He then pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Waterloo from 2016 to 2020, under the mentorship of Professors Zhongwei Chen, Jeff Gostick, and Eric Croiset. His doctoral research focused on nanostructured catalysts and electrochemical cell design for carbon dioxide conversion and energy storage. Following this, he conducted postdoctoral research at the same institution, further delving into electrode engineering for CO₂ upgrade and electrochemical energy conversion.

Experience

Dr. Wen’s academic journey has been diverse and international. After completing his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Waterloo in early 2024, he took on a full professorship at Hunan University. In this role, he continues to explore electrocatalysis and reactor design, with a particular focus on improving mass transfer in electrochemical systems. During his postdoctoral tenure, he made pivotal contributions to electrode design and CO₂ electroreduction technologies, often collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. His research blends theory with practical experimentation, making his work valuable for both academic progress and industrial application. His early exposure to applied research through collaborations with industry and research-intensive environments shaped a problem-solving mindset that he carries into his current leadership role in academia.

Research Interest

Dr. Wen’s primary research interests lie in electrochemical energy conversion and storage, carbon dioxide conversion technologies, and materials engineering for next-generation electrodes. He is deeply involved in designing and synthesizing catalytic materials that can drive energy-efficient reactions, particularly those involving CO₂ and nitrogen species. He is also interested in reactor engineering that supports mass transfer enhancements, enabling high-throughput and scalable solutions for carbon-neutral technologies. His approach integrates multiscale modeling, experimental validation, and techno-economic analysis, contributing to a holistic view of sustainable energy systems.

Award

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Wen has received several accolades and recognition for his contributions. During his Ph.D. studies, he received a first-place award at the Tsinghua-Waterloo Joint Forum for a poster on modeling Li-S battery behavior. His work has frequently been featured on journal covers, such as in Angewandte Chemie and Advanced Energy Materials, highlighting the visibility and impact of his research. His selection as a full professor shortly after his postdoctoral fellowship reflects the high regard in which his peers and institutions hold his scholarly output and leadership potential.

Publication

Dr. Wen’s research has been published in some of the most prestigious journals in the fields of energy materials and catalysis. His key publications include:

1. “Efficient continuous CO₂ electrolysis with superior yield by CO₂ exsolution-induced flow cell,” Nature Energy, 2022 — cited for breakthrough design in flow cells (Impact Factor: 60.86).

2. “Engineering Electrochemical Surface for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Upgrade,” Advanced Energy Materials, 2022 — cited by 4 articles, exploring CO₂ electroreduction interfaces (Impact Factor: 29.37).

3. “Ternary Sn-Ti-O Electrocatalyst Boosts the Stability and Energy Efficiency of CO₂ Reduction,” Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2020 — cited by 30 articles, known for stable catalyst design (Impact Factor: 15.34).

4. “Insights into multiphase reactions during self-discharge of Li-S batteries,” Chemistry of Materials, 2020 — cited by 24 articles, advancing understanding of lithium-sulfur battery behavior (Impact Factor: 9.81).

5. “Orbital Interactions in Bi-Sn Bimetallic Electrocatalysts for Highly Selective Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction,” Advanced Energy Materials, 2018 — cited by 183 articles, a landmark study in selective formate production (Impact Factor: 29.37).

6. “Nano-crumples induced Sn-Bi bimetallic interface pattern for highly efficient CO₂ electroreduction,” Nature Communications, 2022 — emphasizing interface control for high efficiency (Impact Factor: 14.92).

7. “Two Ships in a Bottle Design for Zn–Ag–O Catalyst Enabling Selective and Long-Lasting CO₂ Electroreduction,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2021 — cited by 19 articles, noted for catalyst architecture innovation (Impact Factor: 15.42).

Conclusion

Dr. Guobin Wen has made substantial contributions to the scientific community through his work on energy materials and CO₂ conversion technologies. His deep understanding of electrocatalysis, combined with a commitment to scalable and practical solutions, has made his research not only academically significant but also relevant to global energy and environmental needs. As a rising leader in the field, he continues to shape the future of sustainable energy technologies through both groundbreaking research and mentoring of the next generation of scientists.