(2bh) Light-Tunable Two-Dimensional Nanopore for Energy-Efficient Separation

Attributing to extremely low diffusion resistance and unique chemical/physical property, two-dimensional (2D) nanopore can be a highly promising interface for energy-efficient separation and potential platform energy harvest. The unique energetic interface formed by photon-induced interaction around pore edge, making it possible to manipulate the nanopore via light adsorption, in which convert the solar energy to electricity power or realize energy-efficient separation. My research focus on exploring light-enhanced separation and reaction with angstrom-precision nanopore in 2D material, including 1) reveal the mechanism of the nanopore formation in 2D film, and develop an engineering tool to generate angstrom-precision nanopore; 2) probe light interaction and electron status of the nanopore; 3) develop light-enhanced application for ion separation and energy harvest, such as osmotic power generator, photocatalytic CO₂ reduction.

Research experience

My research experience focuses on fundamental understanding of photo-enhanced proton transport of graphene (Post-doc fellow @ University of Manchester), where I focused on revealing the mechanism of the photovoltaic effect at graphene interface and establishing the enhanced mass transport. My Ph.D. work (Ph.D.@ EPFL) focused on realizing etching angstrom-precision nanopore on single-layer graphene membrane for gas separation. A novel millisecond gasification methodology was initialized to incorporate high-density gas-sieving nanopores in a single-layer graphene membrane, realizing the high-performance CO₂/N₂ separation.

Teaching interest

My teaching experience is mainly related to the Chemical Engineering curriculum. I started my TA of fluid dynamics and involved in exercise lectures since my Master's. During my Ph. D. at EPFL, I have been as the TAs of the "Advance diffusion separation process," "Process development," and "Chemical engineering lab project." These experiences have further improved my teaching skills and prepared me to communicate effectively with the students.

Contact email: shiqi.huang@manchester.ac.uk

Selected publication

• Huang, S. Li, L. F. Villalobos, M. Dakhchoune, M. Micari, D. J. Babu, M. T. Vahdat, M. Mensi, E. Oveisi, K. V. Agrawal*, “Millisecond lattice gasification for high-density CO₂- and O₂-sieving nanopores in single-layer graphene”, Science Advances, 2021, 7, eabf0116.
• Huang, M. Dakhchoune, W. Luo, E. Oveisi, G. He, M. Rezaei, J. Zhao, A. Züttel, M. S. Strano, K. V. Agrawal*, “Single-layer graphene membranes by crack-free transfer for gas mixture separation”, Nature Communications, 2018, 9, 2632.
• Huang^†, S. Li^†, K. Hsu, L. F. Villalobos, K. V. Agrawal, “Systematic design of millisecond gasification reactor for the incorporation of gas- sieving nanopores in single-layer graphene”, Journal of Membrane Science, 2021, 637, 119628. (Invited article)
• Huang, L. F. Villalobos, D. J. Babu, G. He, M. Li, A. Züttel, K. V. Agrawal*, “Ultrathin carbon molecular sieve films and room-temperature oxygen functionalization for gas-sieving”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2019, 11, 16729-16736.
• Huang, X. Wu* W. Chen, T. Wang, Y. Wu, G. He*, “Bilateral electrochemical hydrogen pump reactor for 2-propanol dehydrogenation and phenol hydrogenation”, Green Chemistry, 2016, 18, 2353-2362. (Featured on the cover page)
• He, S. Huang, L. F. Villalobos, J. Zhao, M. Mensi, E. Oveisi, M. Rezaei, K. V. Agrawal*, “High-permeance polymer-functionalized single-layer graphene membranes that surpass the postcombustion carbon capture target”, Energy & Environmental Science, 2019, 12, 3305. (Featured on the cover page)
• He, S. Huang, L. F. Villalobos, M. T. Vahdat, M. D. Guiver, J. Zhao, W.-C. Lee, M. Mensi, K. V. Agrawal*, “Synergistic CO₂-sieving from polymer with intrinsic microporosity masking nanoporous single-layer graphene”, Advanced Functional Materials, 2020, 30, 2003979.
• Zhao^†, G. He^†, S. Huang, L. F. Villalobos, M. Dakhchoune, H. Bassas, K. V. Agrawal*, “Etching nanopores in single-layer graphene with an angstrom precision for high-performance gas separation”, Science Advances, 2019, 5, eaav1851.
• J. Hsu, L. F. Villalobos, S. Huang, H. Chi, W. Lee, G. He, M. Mensi, K. V. Agrawal, “Multi-pulsed millisecond ozone gasification for predictable tuning of nucleation and nucleation-decoupled nanopore expansion in graphene for carbon capture’’, ACS Nano, 2021, 15, 13230–13239
• Li, M. T. Vahdat, S. Huang, K. J. Hsu, M. Rezaei, M. Mensi, N. Marzari, and K. V. Agrawal, “Structure Evolution of Graphitic Surface upon Oxidation: Insights by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy”, JACS Au, 2022, 2, 3, 723–730. (Featured on the cover page)