Prize for thesis on catalyst for cheaper hydrogen fuel

“This award is meaningful to me, as it recognizes the dedication and hard work I’ve devoted to my research. It also highlights the relevance of our field’s ongoing efforts toward sustainable energy solutions,” Yang says.

The research focuses on artificial photosynthesis and developing polymeric catalysts and organic-inorganic hybrid light-harvesting materials for water oxidation. These materials are key components in splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen using solar energy, which is crucial for producing clean hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier.

Important step towards a low-carbon economy

Hydrogen is a promising energy source, but producing clean hydrogen fuel efficiently and cost-effectively is a challenge. By developing catalysts and light absorbers that can efficiently drive the water oxidation reaction under solar illumination, the aim is to make solar fuels more accessible and environmentally friendly.

“Our research field could support large-scale hydrogen production using renewable energy. This would be an important step towards a low-carbon economy, as hydrogen can serve as a clean fuel for transportation and industry,” Yang says.

What makes you interested in this subject field?

"My interest in sustainable energy began during my Bachelor studies, where I saw the potential of solar-driven catalysis in addressing energy and environmental issues. I’m fascinated by the challenge of creating systems to convert solar energy into chemical fuels, and I find it rewarding to work on projects that could support a more sustainable future."

Text: Sabina Fabrizi

"(Photo)electrochemical Water Oxidation: From Catalysis to Functional Device"

The Anna Sundström Award

The Anna Sundström Award is presented annually by the Division of Inorganic Chemistry of the Swedish Chemical Society to honor Anna Sundström, who worked with Swedish chemist Jacob Berzelius and is often regarded as Sweden’s first female chemist.

Prize motivation

“The work involved advanced synthesis of materials, very thorough characterization of surfaces, and theoretical calculations. He (Hao Yang) successfully synthesized a molecularly well-defined catalyst, featuring π-conjugated microporous polymer coordinated single cobalt sites, which opens the possibility for exploring the mechanisms of heterogeneous water oxidation.

His thesis offers profound insights into host-guest chemistry, cobalt-mediated catalytic processes, and the development of efficient light-absorbing materials using organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites. The findings presented in his thesis could offer a general approach to heterogeneous water oxidation catalysis and related proton-coupled electron transfer reactions.Important mechanisms in catalytic water oxidation have been elucidated. Both volume, complexity of work and contribution from PhD student himself were very impressive.”