Research map
We study what electrochemical interfaces do while they are working.
The group connects time-resolved measurements with catalyst design and rigorous data analysis. Each project asks a practical question: what changes at the interface, why does performance drift, and how can the measurement be interpreted without overclaiming?
Operando Spectroelectrochemistry and EC-AFM
We observe electrochemical interfaces as they evolve, then connect the observed changes to activity, selectivity, and stability.
Core Questions
- Which surface changes occur during operation rather than before or after testing?
- How do structural and morphological dynamics affect catalytic output?
- Which signals are robust enough to guide catalyst design?
Selected Papers
- Zheng, W. ACS Electrochemistry, 2026, 2, 1127-1137
- Chen, J., et al. Journal of Catalysis, 2024, 438, 115720
- Zheng, W. Chemistry Methods, 2023, 3(2), e202200042
- Zheng, W., et al. ACS Energy Letters, 2021, 6, 2838-2843
Electrocatalyst Degradation and Stability Analysis
We investigate why catalyst performance changes over time and how active sites, supports, and electrolytes contribute to that instability.
Core Questions
- Which degradation pathway dominates under realistic operating histories?
- How can transition-metal catalysts balance activity with durability?
- What measurements distinguish true catalyst change from measurement artifacts?
Selected Papers
- Zheng, W. and Chen, S. JACS Au, 2025, 5, 6396-6409
- Chen, S. and Zheng, W. Chemistry of Materials, 2026, 38, 1651-1666
- Du, L. and Zheng, W. APL Energy, 2024, 2, 021501
Quantitative Electrochemical Methods and Data Workflows
We develop practical guidance and open computational workflows for electrochemical measurements that are easy to misinterpret.
Core Questions
- Which assumptions in common electrochemical workflows are fragile?
- How should data be processed so others can reproduce the interpretation?
- How can computational tools reduce avoidable analysis errors?
Selected Papers
- Zheng, W. and Du, L. ACS Energy Letters, 2024, 9, 4581-4586
- Zheng, W. ECS Advances, 2023, 4, 040502
- Zheng, W. ACS Energy Letters, 2023, 8, 1952-1958
Guiding Principle
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself. If it doesn't agree with experiment, it's wrong.
Prof. Richard Feynman